We discussed in class how there are certain industries that have been associated with sustainability for a while, such as household cleaning products. However, industries such as technology are still trying to set benchmarks with how fast the industry is changing from day to day never mind incorporating sustainability.
I have a little bit of knowledge in the technology sector which I find that a lot of people don’t realize that might affect their perspective with technology and sustainability. This blog post touches more on the social side of technology rather than the resource side of technology. I think this is relevant to marketing because of the research phase that consumers do, or don’t do that might affect their decision of what technology to use or how to use it.
Google is a company that exists for profit. The browser, Google Chrome, is competing against not-for-profit search engines such as Mozilla Firefox. As a consumer I find it kind of scary about how much information Google is amassing with each search, action, email, etc. (never mind what websites you go to!) So I personally use Mozilla Firefox which was created by the people for the people.
Privacy is an interesting transparency that online companies now have to consider. Companies like Facebook got into a lot of trouble for almost hiding the fact that whatever you post on Facebook does not belong to you, but to Facebook!
In the business context, a company’s social media profile puts pressure on them to respond faster to complaints. One wrong word from a company on their Twitter account or on their Facebook could cost them a lot of consumers because of how viral the internet is. However, the internet is a powerful marketing platform. An example is the crowd sourcing ability with technology for political campaigns.
On the flip side, it’s also interesting how consumers also have to consider their own actions when interacting with technology. Before, you could get away with doing something because social media wasn’t around to spread it rapidly around the internet. In modern times, however, whatever you put on the internet is not as secure. A lot of companies actually look at online profiles before hiring an employee to fit with their culture.
Hi Veronica!
I agree, it is really scary how far technology has gotten us. We’ve advanced our gadgets, apps, and devices so far – and we’ve enjoyed so many conveniences as a result! – but it’s pretty much been at the expense of everyone’s privacy! I just wanted to comment on what you said about how the speed of social media and the internet has really changed the way people can go about their lives. Yes, even social media profiles aren’t safe from the observation of any companies going through recruiting, but beyond that, there are also online ‘lynch’ mobs that can form if even one unusual photo or statement is made through social media – sometimes it could even be a perfectly harmless statement that’s just interpreted the wrong way. Businesses now have to be so incredibly careful in even the smallest details – because one wrong move could suddenly become a dangerously expensive mistake. From a social perspective though, there’s also a plus side – I think – to all of this and that’s the fact that society now has the eyes and ears to call out any negative behaviour – such as any environmentally destructive actions – being done by a company. Within at least a day or two, the whole world has the potential to become a voice for change to any disappointing conduct. So yes, it’s a very interesting/contriversial subject, just thought I’d comment 🙂 Very intriguing post!