Question

The research firm Gartner forecasts that blogging will peak in 2007, leveling off when the number of people who maintain a personal website reaches 100 million(!), but only about 20,000 blog sites are visited by other than friends and family of the blogger. Gartner analysts expect that the novelty value of the medium will then wear off as most people who are interested in the phenomenon have checked it out. But that is not keeping big firms like Boeing and Procter & Gamble from investing in the process for customers, employees, and the general public.

Sources: Kim Hart, “Portrait of a Blogger: Under 30 and Sociable,” Washington Post, July 20, 2006, D5; Stanley Holmes, “Into the Wild Blog Yonder,” BusinessWeek, May 22, 2006, 84.

Answer 1

Blogging is a type of broadcast-style communication systems, which enable the users to author and publish articles, opinions or product reviews, that can be delivered through stand-alone websites, email, feed syndications systems and social networks. Blogging platforms also enable direct reader participation with the host blogger or with other blog participants by enabling user comments.

Blogging has significantly grown in popularity since Gartner’s initial forecast on blogging, and i seriously think that the timing is just right for Gartner analysts to evolve the means and style of their personal interaction with technology users and providers, business leaders, journalists and many others interested in the business of technology.

Hence, every business has to strive hard to ensure that it does its best to attract customers, and general public. Big firms like Boeing and P&G may use blogs to solicit ideas, feedback and opinions to help them conduct research. That is why, they try to spend huge to know and understand what are its customers needs and demands and what could they do to serve them better.