Both commercial and nonprofit organisations carry out consultation project to gather views of their stakeholders. In doing so, they benefit from the knowledge and insight of the people they contact — usually given away freely. Can organisations move to a collaborative model, where not only ideas, but resources (time, energy) are given freely too?
Update: There is now an experimental Skype public chat for this session — click the link to join in the conversation.
In many respects, the focus group is dead. Simply asking people what they think/like/hate/want doesn't achieve satisfactory outcomes for either party — the organisation running the focus group doesn’t acquire the trust of those involved, merely their time and some thoughts; for the participants, a focus group can be a frustratingly unsatisfying experience — while contribution is valued, there’s often no means of real influence, and rarely an opportunity to co-create.
This proposal, though, isn’t just about the focus group. It’s about co-creation, collaboration and true participation. Whether in the commercial world or in the nonprofit sector, there are incredible opportunities for organisations, large and small, to benefit from the fact that people care about them. Care not just to the extent that they want to influence strategy, but care enough that they want to get involved in making things happen.
How can organisations best support this (mutually beneficial) sort of activity? Are there pitfalls to be avoided? Who stands to benefit most? And are there opportunities for genuinely world-changing progress?
Resources:
opensauce.pbwiki.com/Co-Creation%20Rules
trendwatching.com/trends/CUSTOMER-MADE.htm
by rageforst
Format
Peter,
Think this would make a great conversation/sharing of experiences with the amount of experienced people you have at reboot. Up for hosting that?