Has your organization invested any resources to determine how mutliuser virtual environments (MUVEs) like Second Life could help your business?
Has your organization invested any resources to determine how mutliuser virtual environments (MUVEs) like Second Life could help build your company's brand, increase market share, create new revenue streams, improve customer satisfaction or target a different market segment?
If so, could you provide details on what you have learned so far?
Thanks!
Gary
Answers (5)
Marvin C
100% Free Biz matchmaking -> LotsOfBiz.com PanamaHotelInvestment.com MyLink500.com TopLinked.com 9K
I started trying to, but, naturally, it takes some effort.
You may want to check out the ComputerWorld article below that refers to the top 10 corporate sites from May 2007.
Also you may want to see what the CDC has done.
Links:
IBM has heavily invested in this technology.
Circuitcity already built a presence in Secondlife
Samsung also built itself a presence with their cellphones.
Links:
Colin W
CEO at Colin Is My Name Design
Best Answers in: Internet Marketing (1), Sales Techniques (1), Market Research and Definition (1), Career Management (1), Professional Networking (1), Starting Up (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
My father, Paul Wright, who is a bigwig with the Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education has been making some waves in the governmental sector since he introduced an IT recruiting program that's been taking place in Second Life. I can put you in touch with him, if you'd like, so you can ask him more specific questions.
Links:
Dave E
Award winning virtual worlds, web3D, social networking, and mobile augmented reality entrepreneur.
Best Answers in: Web Development (2), Using LinkedIn (2), Education and Schools (1), Freelancing and Contracting (1), Events Marketing (1), Internet Marketing (1), Organizational Development (1), Software Development (1)
I advise companies on how to use virtual worlds like Second Life primarily in the workplace to bring people together as if in person for improved collaboration, socialization, and productivity. I also lease workspace in Second Life and build workspaces, train etc. Virtual worlds are an incredibly powerful tool for bridging distance. To be frank, I do not think marketing is best achieved in Second Life because the medium is (1) not populated enough to make marketing valuable, and (2) much more like a telephone than a billboard. I am involved in other platforms that may present a better marketing proposition. I would be delighted to discuss this further if you like.
Links:
Clarification added January 20, 2008:
As you indicated you were looking for research, you might take a look at the recent Forrester report "Getting Real Work Done in Virtual Worlds" which predicts that virtual worlds could be as important for work as the web is, in five years.
In the real world of business, methods of marketing using tools like Second Life are not cost effective since it limits that business’ market to people who have access to the technology needed to use applications like SL. Currently the consumer market of those who can access SL is microscopic compared to the market with limited access to the internet. As far as studies, businesses who have limited budgets for marketing analysis are not going to spend the money to study an application that touches a limited market. Those large businesses and corporations who are involved with currently using SL have the disposable funds and human resources to check out new technology ventures. Logically, the majority of the real business world is going to move towards a more proven traditional method of marketing to the larger buying market. Over time applications like SL will find a place in the market, but not until the consumer market increases on who has access and understanding of this technology. Any study made would be at best inconclusive and looked at as a waste of funds.
