Who is the author of 'Crowdsourcing'?

The author of 'Crowdsourcing' is Jeff Howe.

What are the main themes in 'Crowdsourcing'?

The main themes in 'Crowdsourcing' include Corporate Strategy, Business and Economics, Social Media, Technology, Emerging Technologies.

What genre is 'Crowdsourcing'?

'Crowdsourcing' is categorized as Technology, Business and Economics.

What is the main concept of crowdsourcing as explained in the book?

The main concept of crowdsourcing as explained in the book 'Crowdsourcing' by Jeff Howe is the idea of leveraging the collective intelligence and skills of a large, distributed group of people—often through the internet—to accomplish tasks, solve problems, or generate ideas that would traditionally be done by a small group of professionals. Howe discusses how organizations can utilize this approach to tap into the creativity, resources, and expertise of the crowd, leading to innovative solutions and efficiencies.

Who is the author of 'Crowdsourcing' and what is his background?

The author of 'Crowdsourcing' is Jeff Howe. He is a journalist and author, best known for his work on topics related to technology, innovation, and the impact of the digital age on society. Howe has contributed to several major publications, including Wired, where he was a contributing editor. He is known for popularizing the term 'crowdsourcing,' which describes the practice of obtaining ideas, services, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, particularly from an online community.

Can you give an example of crowdsourcing mentioned in the book?

One example of crowdsourcing mentioned in Jeff Howe's book 'Crowdsourcing' is the use of the platform Threadless, which allows artists to submit t-shirt designs. The community then votes on which designs they like best, and the winning designs are produced and sold by Threadless, effectively allowing the crowd to decide the product offerings.

What are some key benefits of crowdsourcing highlighted by Jeff Howe?

In 'Crowdsourcing,' Jeff Howe highlights several key benefits of crowdsourcing, including: Cost Efficiency: Crowdsourcing allows companies to gather ideas and solutions from a large pool of contributors at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods. Access to Diverse Perspectives: By tapping into a wide range of contributors, organizations can access a variety of viewpoints and expertise that they might not have in-house. Innovation: Crowdsourcing can stimulate creativity and innovation by inviting fresh ideas from individuals who may not be part of the organization's internal structure. Speed: Crowdsourced projects can be completed more quickly than traditional projects, as multiple contributors can work on a solution simultaneously. Engagement: Involving the crowd can enhance customer engagement and loyalty, as contributors feel a sense of ownership and involvement in the process. Flexibility: Organizations can scale their efforts up or down based on the response from the crowd, allowing for adaptable project management. Quality of Results: Often, crowdsourcing can lead to higher quality outcomes due to the collective intelligence and collective problem-solving capabilities of the crowd.

How does the book suggest organizations can effectively use crowdsourcing?

The book 'Crowdsourcing' by Jeff Howe suggests that organizations can effectively use crowdsourcing by identifying specific tasks that can benefit from diverse input and creativity, leveraging online platforms to reach a large audience, clearly defining the problems or challenges they face, and ensuring that they engage with the crowd in a meaningful way. Additionally, organizations should foster a sense of community among contributors, provide appropriate incentives or rewards, and maintain transparency throughout the process. This approach can help harness the collective intelligence and skills of a large group of people, leading to innovative solutions and ideas.

Crowdsourcing Book Summary

In 'Crowdsourcing', Jeff Howe unveils the revolutionary power of harnessing the collective intelligence of the masses. He explores how ordinary people can contribute to creativity and problem-solving in ways previously unimaginable. With engaging examples from various industries, Howe illustrates the profound impact of collaboration in the digital age. This provocative read challenges traditional notions of expertise and authority, suggesting that crowds can often outperform traditional institutions. Dive into the world of crowdsourcing and discover how it can reshape innovation and community.

By Jeff Howe

Published: 2009

"The wisdom of the crowd is not just the sum of individual opinions, but a powerful force for innovation, creativity, and collective intelligence that can reshape our world."

Why does Procter & Gamble repeatedly call on enthusiastic amateurs to solve scientific and technical challenges? How can companies as diverse as iStockphoto and Threadless employ just a handful of people, yet generate millions of dollars in revenue every year? "Crowdsourcing" is how the power of the many can be leveraged to accomplish feats that were once the responsibility of a specialized few. Jeff Howe reveals that the crowd is more than wise–it’s talented, creative, and stunningly productive. It’s also a perfect meritocracy, where age, gender, race, education, and job history no longer matter; the quality of the work is all that counts. If you can perform the service, design the product, or solve the problem, you’ve got the job. But crowdsourcing has also triggered a dramatic shift in the way work is organized, talent is employed, research is conducted, and products are made and marketed. As the crowd comes to supplant traditional forms of labor, pain and disruption are inevitable, and Howe delves into both the positive and negative consequences of this intriguing phenomenon. Through extensive reporting from the front lines of this workplace revolution, he employs a brilliant array of stories to look at the economic, cultural, business, and political implications of crowdsourcing.

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