Consumerism - Tapscott

I found this part of Tapscott's book to be especially beneficial. Tapscott addresses the foundational change that's occurring in that way that the Net Generation is purchasing goods. This isn't only relevant to the way that I purchase goods but relevant to the business structure that I need to pursue in the consumer market.

It's interesting to see how the Net Generation is tired of being fed one-way information and is more interested in interacting with the information. It was also beneficial to note how short the attention span is of this younger generation and how important it is to "reel them in" immediately if you want your advertising point to drive home. While this has always been an important part of marketing it seems as though it may be of the utmost importance in today's fast paced markets.

Tapscott also points out the information sharing tactic that Net Gener's utilize in order to make purchases. I have found myself doing this more in the last two years than ever before. I like to rely on people that have actually experienced a product and will be able to deliver real information both good and bad. The reviews aren't sales pitches to show you how great product X is, they are "real world environments" that allow for critiques and evaluations of product X. I find that this type of feedback is valuable not only for me, but for companies that produce product X. This allows them instant feedback top produce fixes or make better products in the future.

I also notice that I find myself wanting information faster than ever before. I get impatient if my online connection isn't immediate or web pages don't load fast enough. This seems to ring true for most Net Gener's as well. This points back to my point earlier. Net Gener's want the latest, fastest, and newest products. It's interesting to see that this is the new trend for popularity. It used to be who had the coolest cars, now it's who has the best laptop's, cell phones, and I-pod's.

Overall this would be a great read for anyone wanting to participate in marketing, advertising, and business. It's necessary to understand the trends and how to effectively communicate your message and activate your product within communities.