Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) is taking a new approach to the rising costs of medical services. We’re asking North Carolinians to tell us their thoughts, frustrations and ideas on all things related to health care costs, and we’re addressing them head on. An insurance company is using social networks to reach the people who are passionate about health care and out-of-control costs. In April, we launched www.LetsTalkCost.com, a website dedicated to sharing ideas on how to rein in medical costs. Premiums are too high, and not enough is covered. MORE >>

That being said, you still have to approach each case like that is the sentiment, especially if you want to keep that customer’s business coming your way; * Time is of the essence – One of the major gaffes that businesses and organizations make in this scenario is not responding to the customer in a timely manner. It can be your greatest wish or your biggest nightmare. For the man or woman in charge, it just takes one tweet or share to shake up their world in a negative way. According to Gartner Inc. Isn’t it worth it to be a solution provider who is also a little social too? MORE >>

The word sentiment means an attitude towards something, an opinion or feeling usually expressed in words, images, body language and other instruments of expression. Social technology is flooding the “clouds” with buyer and supplier sentiments toward brands, organizations and individuals. These sentiments reflect experiences, good and bad, that are deposited into the virtual library forever. Perhaps most alarming is that the airline is unaware of the concentrated brand sentiment across the thousands upon thousands of people that have expressed dissatisfaction. MORE >>

Social media management Social media metrics and measurement Social media ROI blogging bookmarking consumer-generated content customer satisfaction David Berkowitz Delicious Digg Facebook Flickr Forums and message boards Jim Sterne key performance indicator KPI LinkedIn lower costs Marketers Studio marketing mix media sharing micro-blogging Ning raise revenue roi sentiment social media marketing Social Media Metrics social networks StumbleUpon YouTubeIn his book ‘Social Media Metrics’, Jim Sterne says: “The Internet has always been a social medium”. MORE >>

Given the new world of transparency employees and customers are influencing market sentiment about any organization because of the fluidity of social media. When a business does well, many chief executives start to focus solely on increasing profits, no matter what the cost – leaving behind everything that originally made the business special. Business structures, models and cultures are being challenged by the crowd. These dynamics are forcing organizations to examine historical beliefs about what it takes today to run a successful business. The Opposite Works If Allowed. MORE >>