Two of the major themes in business today are our changing relationship with customers, which includes "crowdsourcing", and the increasing use of online applications, which is now being called "cloud computing". Sometimes they come together.
The first feature on this microsite ('The customer knows best') explores some of the attempts to engage an army of unpaid "click-workers" — usually customers. This typically involves getting feedback to improve current products, or develop new ones via the internet.
Computers also allow customers, suppliers, prospects and other contacts to be tracked more thoroughly. CRM software has long been used by big companies, but it is now becoming available to even the smallest, as we discover, thanks to cloud-based services and its growing integration with Microsoft Office.
Cloud computing is a growing force; online applications make it simpler to have a mobile workforce. We look at some of the main online applications — and explore the risks — while also assessing the more personal issues of mobile working.
Elsewhere, we interview Lord Karan Bilimoria, who started with a student debt and built the Cobra beer business, and we follow up the Small Business Server 2008 feature in the September Enterprise supplement by installing it ourselves. It might just inspire you to have a go yourself.
