Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000

Keeping an eye on customer-generated feedback, or "CGM," is the key to good business. Blackshaw aims to tell companies how to monitor and react to such feedback. He recommends regular research on blogs and websites, as well as the use of surveys, as ways to learn about customers' reactions to one's company or business. Lloyd James's narration is evenly paced and clearly enunciated, especially as he delivers all the lists in this book. Blackshaw recounts many stories of practices that provided negative publicity for businesses, and refers them to more than once, illustrating himself the actions of dissatisfied customers. The concept of the potential damage resulting from negative publicity is especially powerful in James's strong narration. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

April 7, 2008
In June 2006, a man named Vincent Ferrari had a shockingly combative conversation with an AOL sales rep; he recorded it and posted it on YouTube. More than 62,827 viewings later, AOL's reputation was irretrievably damaged. In the digital age, disgruntled customers are now in the driver's seat, argues Blackshaw in this thoughtful and engaging book. With the advent of Consumerist.com and other venues where customers can blow off steam about bad service or deficient products, consumer generated media is a force to be reckoned with. Since consumers trust other consumers above companies or brands, a company's success depends on its credibility and its ability to gain the trust and support of Web-savvy, outspoken and influential customers. Through remarkable stories of mass consumer advocacy and the power of bloggers and ordinary Joes with an Internet connection and a bone to pick, Blackshaw advises executives on how to build credibility into their businesses through blogs, Web sites and video postings. Informative, energetic and entertaining, this is a marvelous argument for corporate responsibility and accountability, interesting to laypeople and instructive for executives.