As I have mentioned before the communication challenges that confront us all, with the advent of what is variously called social networking, Cyberspace, the Web, the Internet etc, are numerous and many people are struggling to come to terms with them. From businesses to the media to private individuals the struggle is evident. Some businesses can't cope with the onset of viral marketing the vast scale interconnectedness of their consumers.
The news media - in the 24hour constant reporting world - struggle to balance relevance and source verified factually correct reporting.
Finally the general public are swamped by the accelerating and rapid upgrading and introduction of new tools with which to communicate. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn are my current trio there are many more brands from which we can choose.
In all of these sites I am finding an increasing discomfort. It has been clear to me for some time that we are someone's product but the escalation of the disdain with which our information security and privacy are being handled I find increasingly frustrating. There must be a business model that supports a more safe, secure and open relationship with the provider. If so many people desire this type of facility I'm sure it can be provided as a low-cost fee for service type deal. I have started sketching out a business plan, not sure how to fund it? My New Years Resolution is to complete the plan and if it looks sensible to get it funded and build an alternative, who's with me? Comrade Jimbo, leader of the people's popular affront.
Opening sentence of business plan.
ReplyDeleteMore than 500 million active users with 50% logging on in any given day
Hmm, you might want to check out the competition first...
ReplyDeleteDiaspora
Not to mention some reaction to that:
Telegraph says Diaspora is too late
Ahhhh so the revolution has begun without me....
ReplyDeleteActually Simon had told me about this site and it will either obviate the need for my revolution or it will be a key part of the competitor analysis :-D
My brief look hasn't made their business model clear, it seems to be one founded on open source. Even open source has potential for income generation so more research needed. Are you applying for head of strategic competition analyst?
I guess we'll have to wait and see, but thanks for the link to the Torygraph
ReplyDelete"strong clue that Diaspora is going nowhere comes from Zuckerberg himself: he's invested in it. Is he enjoying a joke at the founders' expense? How credible an alternative to Facebook is a network part-funded by Facebook's own CEO? "
I think the whole article is flawed, it seems to be the classic snub to anything new. I have written a more thorough review for my businss plan but I believe the quote above shows its main fault. A standard tactic is to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I would suggest that Zuckerberg's tactic demonstrates that the innovative inventer of the medium does believe that its a threat.
I still am not clear as to the business model for Diaspora, more research needed I guess so any help from my new Vice Preseident of Strategy, Eric would be welcomed ;-)