Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is a term for a phenomenon that has existed in some form or another since the earliest days of the Internet, and before — but has only recently begun to realize its full potential. Crowdsourcing refers to using lots of amateurs to accomplish set goals for a company or organization.
Crowdsourcing is the practice of engaging a ‘crowd’ or group for a common goal -- often innovation, problem solving, or efficiency. Crowdsourcing can take place on many different levels and across various industries. Thanks to our growing connectivity, it is now easier than ever for individuals to collectively contribute -- whether with ideas, time, expertise, or funds -- to a project or cause. This collective mobilization is crowdsourcing.
This phenomenon can provide organizations with access to new ideas and solutions, deeper consumer engagement, opportunities for co-creation, optimization of tasks, and reduced costs. The Internet and social media have brought organizations closer to their stakeholders, laying the groundwork for new ways of collaborating and creating value together like never before. The approach is being embraced:
“Crowds are a hit. Millions of people, connected by the Internet, are contributing ideas and information to projects big and small. Crowdsourcing, as it is called, is helping to solve tricky problems and providing localized information. And with the right knowledge, contributing to the crowd — and using its wisdom — is easier than ever.” -The New York Times
The term crowdsourcing was first coined in 2006, and it seems apparent that the tapping of its potential has hardly begun. There is an enormous creative and technical population in the world, many of whom have interesting ideas or skills, and crowdsourcing allows companies to profit from their work — often giving them a healthy living in return — at a fraction of the cost of a more traditional business model.
While these amateurs might be paid a small amount, in many cases
Crowdsourcing is a term for a phenomenon that has existed in some form or another since the earliest days of the Internet, and before — but has only recently begun to realize its full potential. Crowdsourcing refers to using lots of amateurs to accomplish set goals for a company or organization.
Crowdsourcing is the practice of engaging a ‘crowd’ or group for a common goal -- often innovation, problem solving, or efficiency. Crowdsourcing can take place on many different levels and across various industries. Thanks to our growing connectivity, it is now easier than ever for individuals to collectively contribute -- whether with ideas, time, expertise, or funds -- to a project or cause. This collective mobilization is crowdsourcing.
This phenomenon can provide organizations with access to new ideas and solutions, deeper consumer engagement, opportunities for co-creation, optimization of tasks, and reduced costs. The Internet and social media have brought organizations closer to their stakeholders, laying the groundwork for new ways of collaborating and creating value together like never before. The approach is being embraced:
“Crowds are a hit. Millions of people, connected by the Internet, are contributing ideas and information to projects big and small. Crowdsourcing, as it is called, is helping to solve tricky problems and providing localized information. And with the right knowledge, contributing to the crowd — and using its wisdom — is easier than ever.” -The New York Times
The term crowdsourcing was first coined in 2006, and it seems apparent that the tapping of its potential has hardly begun. There is an enormous creative and technical population in the world, many of whom have interesting ideas or skills, and crowdsourcing allows companies to profit from their work — often giving them a healthy living in return — at a fraction of the cost of a more traditional business model.
While these amateurs might be paid a small amount, in many cases