SmallBizResource Blog -- Research

A Clever Spin On Social Networking

Posted by Judy Mottl Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007, 09:46 AM ET

Intel's taking a unique approach these days to figuring out market and industry trends and it's a strategy I think small businesses could copycat.

As InformationWeek's Thomas Claburn explains, the vendor has launched "Cool Software," a external social news site to foster better market intelligence.

Basically the gist is to tap the minds and knowledge of both Intel employees and the world outside Intel.

According to Intel's Director of the Software and Solutions Group, Steve Santamaria, the social news site started internally to keep Intel workers up dated about new technology and emerging startups.

By opening it up to external minds, such as clients, users and pretty much the world, Intel believes the human urge to influence, and have an impact, could prove useful to its market intelligence efforts.

Personally I think it's a pretty neat idea and one SMBs should consider if they're not already tapping clients and potential users' minds through some other sort of social engagment.

You just don't know you'll help you find the next great product to make or client market to tap.

Research