To compete in the new economy, companies will need to be “in two businesses: their core business” (the products and services they’ve always sold) and what Shapiro calls “the Software Layer—a layer of technology that surrounds the core business and serves as the focal point of interaction with the outside world.” Most retailers have figured out how to sell low-involvement and frequently purchased products online. Shapiro makes three main points: Online commerce will affect more than half of all consumer purchases by 2012. MORE >>

circa 1997-2003): Content creation by the few; web participation is a luxury; software on the local machine; product pages and limited e-commerce; desktop computers. Meaning creation by the majority; web participation is a necessity; customer engagement enablement; operating system (OS) in the cloud; ‘considered purchase’ products and services (once thought only saleable offline) join the Internet party; desktop computer, mobile phone, tablets and iTV; augmented data layers. problems and opportunities for commodity and e-commerce products and services. Web 2.0 MORE >>

He began his career in Detroit selling computer-based design and production automation systems for Digital Equipment Corporation, then went on to hold executive roles in technology-based companies including President of Rank Sherr Tumico, Inc. Yesterday I was afforded the incredible opportunity to sit down and talk with Carl Moe, author of the book Chief Revenue Officer. Carl is the founder and Managing Director of C.R.O. Success LLC. US subsidiary of The Rank Organization, Plc), Executive Vice President of Midwest Systems, Inc., If so, then trust must be like the soil, right? Well said! MORE >>

However, I would offer up that before our products, services and brands can develop and maintain trust in the marketplace, first comes the messengers of trust. All products, services, and messages are created by people. Customers have an innate ability to interpret the intentions of the (often unseen) people behind the products, services, and messages they are evaluating. To achieve congruence between product, services, and message I suspect a change is coming that will also see people (humans) integrated into the digital marketing process. But why? MORE >>

This basically meant that anyone could add content to your website without you having to do anything; features like product ratings, product reviews, comments, etc. They stock wonderful, high-quality products and deliver incredible personal service from knowledgeable team members. The products are generally the same, but what is lacking is the differentiated service experience that has made Nordstrom an iconic brand offline world. There is no doubt that if you have a company website you have definitely seen it evolve over the last decade. So what's next? MORE >>