Social Communities & Expert Networks in B2B

Authors: Anthea Stratigos, Co-founder & CEO; Leigh Watson Healy, Chief Analyst; Ned May, Director & Lead Analyst

Publishers, associations, information providers, educators, and consultants have long held themselves as the stewards and arbiters of the communities they represent, or as experts who share their knowledge with those they serve. Web 2.0 flattens the world – all users have a voice; all users are a source. User generated content and communities’ collective knowledge challenge the information industry establishment. While a litany of commentary and analysis covers social networks in the consumer world, there has been little coverage of these networks in the business and professional world beyond the recognition that what happens in the consumer arena ultimately influences and shows up in business. This CEO Topics report closes this gap and builds an argument for what “influences and shows up in business” really means. The report:

- Delivers a thorough analysis of social and expert networks, framing this sector and its revolution in the business and professional space;
- Defines the market and analyzes the key players, their business models, and their revenue streams;
- Provides a view of how these communities work, how they make money (or not), and what their implications are – from making significant changes in the way work is done to disrupting the information industry as we know it;
- Recommends essential actions for organizations that choose to facilitate and harness the
power of social and expert networks currently lying untapped in their communities.