Crowdsourcing

This new term struck me when i was browsing through one blog. Can be defined as "the unofficial (but catchy) name of an IT-enabled business trend in which companies get unpaid or low-paid amateurs to design products, create content, even tackle corporate R&D problems in their spare time.” The concept of crowdsourcing is closely linked to the idea of user-centered innovation, in that users become an integral part of the overall innovation process.
I have seen many examples of crowdsourcing coming out these days. Like the google gadget making contest where they are asking contestants to make gadgets for them and janet jackson calling people to design a cover for her new album "20 years old". This is a win-win situation for both customers and companies for companies get the innovative ideas and people utilise their spare time and win some handy prizes apart from satisfaction of contributing. But never forget to thank Internet for bringing both of them together at one platform.