Week3 EOC: Internet Privacy vs Market Research

During the last five years, the internet has become an avalanche of information that continues to envelope more and more of our everyday lives. As we learn more about the internet and its users, we begin to understand the need for research in order to truly harness this powerful resource.

How do you define internet privacy?  

Internet privacy is the desire or mandate of personal privacy with respect to transactions or transmission of data via the Internet. It involves the exercise of control over the type or amount of information that persons reveal about themselves on the Internet and who may access such information. The term is often understood to mean universal Internet privacy, i.e. every user of the Internet possessing Internet privacy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy )

It’s baffling that the level of privacy provided to internet users is only as secure as their competency when it comes to navigating the web. “Although the Internet has dramatically increased the scale and speed at which such data are collected, legislators should modify existing laws for the Internet, rather than create new laws or a new category of laws. For example, laws similar to those governing faxes should govern e-mail, and Internet-privacy regulations should mirror privacy laws governing traditional direct marketers.” (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/ncguest2.htm )

Is your personal information safe?

We have entered into a truly defining time in our worlds history.  Using the internet we now have the ability to search, sell and purchase virtually anything in the world.  This luxury perpetuates our innate desire for instant gratification but comes at a price.  "You'll be surprised to see what information others can find out about you. Without your knowledge and permission, most your personal records are published on Internet and are available to public. With your name or a phone number, anyone can pinpoint the house you live in and learn all kinds of detailed personal information you don't want strangers to know." (http://www.squidoo.com/personalInformation)

Although we can't stand the idea of someone or something tracking our personal information and online habits, these are the very things that make the internet such a powerful resource.  By monitoring a person's online activity and associating it with their personal information allow researchers to establish demographics.  These same demographics allow companies like Google, Microsoft and Mozilla the necessary information needed to build better internet experiences that feed our desire for instant access, ease of use and availability.

Week3 EOC: Making Money for Good

As Social Responsibility becomes the demand of the consumer, many For-Profit companies are racing to find their voice.   “American society appears to be undergoing a crisis in trust. Most of the major organizations that we depend upon, including governments of all types, corporations, our health care system, our financial institutions, and our schools all seem to be failing us.”

(http://www2.wholefoodsmarket.com/blogs/jmackey/2010/03/09/creating-the-high-trust-organization/ )

As the world around us grows increasingly wary of greedy CEOs and irresponsibly run organizations, there are some companies that are striving to achieve consumer trust through social responsibility.  

“… Companies like Whole Foods Market and Aveda, though not perfect, are showing that a genuine concern for social responsibility can attract a loyal customer base that is willing to pay a premium to know they are participating in a healthy eco(nomic)system. This leads to stronger than average profits from doing the right thing.”

(http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-odd-couple-social-responsibility-and-profit )

Looking toward 2011, the ideology of social responsibility will carry a bright banner on the horizon.  Many company organizations are beginning to reap the rewards of their efforts in relating to the customers that embody brand loyalty.  Going green has become one of the largest social responsibility efforts since 2008 and companies like General Electric and Aveda are leading the way.  “The company has made remarkable progress in energy conservation and the use of renewable energy and is currently the largest buyer of green energy in Minnesota and the 32nd largest purchaser in the US. And these strides have been made without compromising business performance. The company's sales have grown five times in 10 years.”

(http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/13517-Aveda-Sets-Groundbreaking-Standard-in-Sustainability-for-Beauty-Industry )