Comments on: What Happens When Consumers Are In Control

By: Alan Wolk

Alan Wolk — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:55:27 +0000

@Michael M – I do not know of any- doubt it’s actually happened, but I do hear it mentioned all the time by the Ninja-ocracy as the way to go – they often cite Threadless, which is not really the best example (design your own t-shirt).

But as per Adam, it may just be a matter of time before someone actually tries this. Which may well work as a PR stunt, but long-term it’s not a good idea.

By: Alan Wolk

Alan Wolk — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:55:00 +0000

But as per Adam, it may just be a matter of time before someone actually tries this. Which may well work as a PR stunt, but long-term it’s not a good idea.

By: Adam Kmiec

Adam Kmiec — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:46:41 +0000

@Alan – amen on the R&D cycle. I do feel like, on some level, this is what people are taking away from the concept of “your consumers are in control.” Companies like General Mills and Kraft have initiatives focused on letting consumers drive new product development. Listening to consumers is one thing, turning the keys over to them is another.

@Michael M. – Haven’t seen the keys completely turned over…yet. But, is it a matter of time?

@Simon – I think it could work with something that isn’t a car. When you listen to focus groups for cars you always hear the same thing – X feature, Y Feature, Z Feature, etc. + Low Cost They want it all and they want it free.

@Micheal L. – could not agree more. managing and weighting the input is critical. But, I get the feeling many people are taking the concept/statement literally.

By: adamkmiec

adamkmiec — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:46:00 +0000

@Michael M. – Haven’t seen the keys completely turned over…yet. But, is it a matter of time?

@Micheal L. – could not agree more. managing and weighting the input is critical. But, I get the feeling many people are taking the concept/statement literally.

By: Michael Leis

Michael Leis — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:40:57 +0000

I’d look forward to a second post on this, because to me it’s all about managing the input and then using it to help make the products better, or at least the marketing and communications of those products.

Many times, people confuse control with perceived control. As Alan points out, Threadless does not give people control over the product (T-shirts), only control over the value that’s added to it.

By: mleis

mleis — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Many times, people confuse control with perceived control. As Alan points out, Threadless does not give people control over the product (T-shirts), only control over the value that’s added to it.

By: Simon Pearce

Simon Pearce — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:02:14 +0000

What if the car design had been crowdsourced, rather than handed over to a single maniac. E.g. some sort of “linux” approach to car design?

By: Simon Pearce

Simon Pearce — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:02:00 +0000

What if the car design had been crowdsourced, rather than handed over to a single maniac. E.g. some sort of “linux” approach to car design?

By: Michael Maurillo

Michael Maurillo — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:39:51 +0000

but seriously alan, do you know any examples of companies that have handed over the R&D cycle to customers? i always hear that as where not to go (and i 100% agree), but i’ve never heard of anyone that has actually done that. i’m not saying b/c i don’t know of any it doesn’t happen, just don’t know any examples.

otherwise, i’m with you and adam on this.

By: Michael Maurillo

Michael Maurillo — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:39:00 +0000

otherwise, i’m with you and adam on this.