In economics, a commodity is the generic term for any marketable item produced to satisfy wants or needs. Typically, we think of things like oil, wheat, or corn – the things that we fill our stomachs and cars with.
But what about information? This may take a mind-shift, but what if information was looked at as a commodity?
Go back to the definition of a commodity. Not only can it satisfy, but it can also be produced and marketed. Or put it another, create and find great information (content), share it with your customers (marketing), and they will be raving fans (satisfaction).
Here’s a quick glimpse into the historical portals that information has been pushed in. First, information was passed down from grandfather to father to son and so on. Then information was written on the cave walls. Then information was moved by the Pony Express. Then information was printed in the newspaper. Then information was ported through the telegraph. Then information was shared on the radio. Then information was pushed through the television. Then the Internet, then blogs, and now Twitter. Each step the status quo was tsunami-struck and the landscape looked nothing like it did in the previous hour.
Information is the most valuable commodity, and the markets can never trade it because you and I already own it. Push with this commodity and you will pull the wants and needs of others.
Websites win when this commodity owns the splash page. Only then can you ask, “may I have your information?”
Relationships flourish when this commodity abounds. The more we know about each other, the better we can serve one another.
Fill your mind and stomach with this commodity and only then will you know how to change the world. Give the world this commodity and it will change with you and your crusade. Of course the challenge here is finding and giving the right information, but that’s a conversation we can’t wrap our hands around until we’ve first had this conversation.
Ashton.Gustafson 