Social Computing and Online Communities represent a great opportunity for building better relationships with Customers Brett Bonthron, member of Microsoft's High-Tech Manufacturing Team, discussed during a recent panel discussion at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) CEO Summit in Cancun Mexico.  "Consumer Electronics are purchased online or through a retailer, maybe you get a warranty card, and you don't hear from the customer until it breaks.  And they're mad!", said Bonthron.

"When this panel looked at 'Future Trends' customer's desires for an intimate relationship to see a human face on a company were very relevant.", he added. 

"Social Computing capabilities provide a breakthrough opportunity for manufacturers to directly relate to their customers.  Dell is an amazing story of this.", said Bonthron.

(Article from This Week in Consumer Electronics (TWICE) below)