Chapter 8: Twitter Helps Businesses Find Customers And Clien

Chapter 8twitter Helps Businesses Find Customersfind Clients Today Wit

Search.twitter.com is a useful tool for businesses seeking to identify potential customers. Queries starting with “anyone know…?” enable businesses to reach out to individuals seeking specific services or products. For example, chiropractors in Austin can search for questions like “anyone know a chiropractor in Austin?” to connect with inquiring individuals. Additionally, social media platforms like Twitter facilitate real-time engagement with potential clients, expanding a company's outreach and customer acquisition strategies.

Looking ahead to 2020, the digital landscape is expected to grow exponentially, with over 6 billion mobile phone users and 5 billion Internet users worldwide. The proliferation of connected devices—more than 50 billion—will revolutionize everyday life, with nearly every TV set connected to the Internet. This convergence of Internet and mobility will foster enhanced user experiences, including sharing personal memories and utilizing augmented reality or virtual worlds, creating unprecedented business opportunities.

Government organizations are adopting e-government strategies to increase transparency and efficiency. Louisville, Kentucky, exemplifies this through a phased roadmap transitioning from manual, paper-based processes (Stage 0) to fully automated, citizen-facing portals (Stage 3). This progression involves digitizing content, automating back-office operations, and providing self-service platforms, thereby reducing costs and improving service delivery.

In corporate procurement, platforms like SAP Ariba streamline processes such as supplier onboarding, contract management, and invoice processing. Automation tools facilitate compliance, promote cost savings through negotiated discounts, and simplify procurement procedures, exemplifying digital transformation in supply chain management.

Mobile payment systems face challenges but also show substantial growth potential. Currently, only around 15% of retail payments are electronic, but companies like Mastercard are innovating with mobile contactless payments—enabling users to make purchases via smartphones at vending machines or retail outlets with technologies like PayPass. Emphasizing security and user convenience will be crucial for mainstream adoption.

Digital advertising is evolving from traditional banners to native advertising, which seamlessly integrates with content and offers higher engagement rates. Over 50% of online traffic is mobile, creating significant opportunities for targeted advertising strategies. However, understanding network differences and consumer preferences remains vital for effective mobile ad campaigns.

The Internet, derived from “Internetworking,” connects countless networks worldwide, offering multiple services such as intranets and extranets. Intranets support internal organizational communication, while extranets enable secure, inter-organizational collaboration, facilitating business-to-business and business-to-consumer interactions.

E-commerce extends traditional commerce by leveraging Internet connectivity to facilitate buying and selling activities. Its advantages include improved collaboration, real-time communication with partners, and enhanced customer service. For example, a propane company uses online channels to attract customers through pricing information and promotions, demonstrating the integration of e-commerce into business operations.

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In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Twitter have become powerful tools for businesses to find and connect with potential customers. Twitter's search functionality allows companies to identify individuals expressing their needs or inquiries, such as “anyone know…” questions, which can be targeted for marketing outreach. For instance, local service providers like chiropractors or plumbers in specific regions can use Twitter to locate potential clients actively seeking their services, fostering direct engagement and lead generation.

Future trends outlined for 2020 depict a rapidly evolving digital universe characterized by ubiquitous connectivity. With over 6 billion mobile users and a similar number of Internet-connected devices, the digital ecosystem will expand exponentially. Notably, the convergence of the Internet and mobility will enable devices such as smart TVs and wearables to facilitate seamless communication, entertainment, and commerce. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual worlds will transform user interactions, creating immersive business opportunities beyond current capabilities.

Governments worldwide are adopting e-government initiatives to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. Louisville, Kentucky, serves as a case study for evolutionary stages in e-government development. The progression begins with digitizing content and documents (Stage 0), advancing through digital storage and retrieval (Stage 1), automating core processes such as licensing and benefits management (Stage 2), and culminating in online portals that provide self-service options for citizens, businesses, and agencies (Stage 3). This strategic roadmap minimizes manual errors, accelerates service delivery, and fosters an open government environment.

In the realm of supply chain management, companies like Schlumberger utilize integrated procurement solutions like SAP Ariba. These platforms automate supplier engagement, contract management, and invoice processing, promoting compliance and cost efficiencies. Smart forms and catalog linking enable streamlined, error-free procurement processes, including employee onboarding and temporary staffing, illustrating how digital tools enhance operational agility and financial control.

Mobile payment systems, although still underpenetrated with only 15% of retail transactions currently electronic, are set for significant growth. Mastercard exemplifies innovation by facilitating contactless payments that can occur through smartphones at vending machines or retail counters, using technologies like PayPass. These advancements promise greater convenience, speed, and improved security, which are essential for broader consumer acceptance and electronic payment adoption.

Digital advertising is undergoing a transformative shift from traditional banners to native advertising that aligns with the content and user experience. With more than half of global online traffic originating from mobile devices, advertisers have an unprecedented opportunity to target consumers effectively through mobile-centric campaigns. Understanding cultural nuances, network specifics, and consumer preferences will be critical in designing engaging, culturally sensitive ad experiences that drive higher interaction rates.

The Internet functions as a globally interconnected network of networks, supporting various services such as intranets and extranets. Intranets facilitate secure internal communication within organizations, while extranets extend this connectivity to trusted external partners, enhancing inter-organizational collaboration. These systems underpin modern e-commerce by enabling flexible, secure exchanges of goods, services, and information, ultimately supporting global trade and business expansion.

E-commerce builds on traditional retail and trading systems by exploiting the Internet’s capabilities for worldwide, real-time interactions. It supports activities such as online purchasing, vendor collaboration, customer support, and business intelligence gathering. For example, propane companies utilize online channels for marketing and customer engagement, demonstrating how e-commerce enables business growth, customer outreach, and operational efficiency in diverse sectors.

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