Crowd Sourcing is the appropriation and using of other people’s information that is either freely given or available typically from the Internet or a public program. The entity that uses the information makes money off doing so while the provider of the information doesn’t. This has worked to the benefit of many when times were good and prosperous, but now that the economy is on a downward trajectory, it can be a negative. Crowd Sourcing in a recession can become a formidable competitive tool.
In an information, Internet economy, we are competing with our ideas, concepts and creations. What do you do when professionals in your field, Crowd Source your models, information and ideas to use and market to a shared customer base or to help themselves get a job in your field? It is constantly done in the workplace among teams and colleagues. How many times have co-workers taken credit for your ideas? Has a colleague ever borrowed your materials and ideas to their own benefit?
We are all knowledge-based business professionals. That's what we sell to companies when we interview for a job or to our clients to get their business. They hire you for the bright ideas, innovation, fresh approaches, in-depth experience, and actionable insights that you bring to the table. Yes, it can be frustrating when others, chasing the same business, Crowd Source your content to gain a competitive advantage.
But, that’s the nature of the game today as our economy circles the drain. Everyone is looking for that edge, that competitive advantage, that unique value proposition or business solution. There is no point in railing against the gods as we are all commodities now even if we are expert commodities. The only way to defend against being Crowd Sourced, mob raped, or singly screwed is to do as follows:
• Build your brand as fast and as broadly as you can using all the Social Networking and Social Media tools at your disposal: blog and podcast, tweet on Twitter, link on Linkedin, friend on Facebook, YouTube yourself
• Keep evolving your brand to stay unique and differentiated as the job market changes and as customer business needs change, not to mention as your competitors catch up with you
• Decide on and become known for a specific niche, twist or style of a service delivered otherwise you will be lumped in with the herd and that herd is starting to look more and more unemployed which in itself is commoditizing feature.
If you execute well on all of the above, then others Crowd Sourcing from you are simply paying homage. May the best brand win!
Speaking of Expertise:
Since 2002 I have been immersed in Social Networking and Social Media. In 2003, I consulted to the CEO of Linkedin on how to make it a job seeker friendly tool. I have expert level understanding about how to apply Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and other Social Media to job searching, career changing, and professional advancement inside and outside your company.
What does that mean for you?
Well I can help you promote your talents, qualities and expertise using online branding and networking better than any other career coach around, for now.
For a free consult email: admin@careercompany.com
Great article Patti. I think it's an interesting topic and one that hasn't been explored in a while. Who owns your intellectual property? Probably your company until you become a consultant. I agree that building your network right now is important because "the power is in the relationships."
Posted by: Dan Schawbel | March 03, 2009 at 01:01 PM