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As a direct result, marâ€" kets are getting smarter ... and getting smarter faster than most companies." I‘ll have to admit that I didn‘t go out and buy the book then, but I am digging into it now. The cluetrain manifesto website at http://www.clueâ€" train.com/ begins with the insightful proclamation, "A powerful global conversaâ€" tion has begun. Through the Internet, people are discovering and inventing new ways to share relevant knowledge with blinding speed. A book followed shortly after the minimalistic webâ€" site, and now, seven years after the cluetrain was first presented, the full text of the book is available online. ne of the first Ocolumns 1 wrote for a newspaper _ menâ€" tioned a website that detailed the "cluetrain manâ€" ifesto," a website that "kicked up some dust" in April 1999. The site presented severâ€" al reasons why the Internet was bringing about surging changes in the world of business. Riding the ‘Cluetrain‘ at blinding speed FINE AUTOMOBILE BODY AND PAINT Meticulous Restoration Original Paint Finishes Unsurpassed Collision Repair FINE AUTO INC 15 Centennial Dr. Kitchener 519â€"578â€"2052 PORSCHE JAGUAR Mercedes Benz Dealer Authorized Mbhikh MIkhikh The site then continues Specializing In Saturday, November 11th As a mother or other female role model â€" an aunt, friend or big sister â€" YOU have the power to positively impact the selfâ€"esteem of the special girl in your life. Join us in Waterloo for a Real Beauty Workshop for girls (aged 8â€"12) and their female mentors â€" a fun, interactive workshop exploring selfâ€"esteem. Go online to www.campaignforrealbeauty.cd to reserve your space or call 1â€"800â€"761â€"DOVE (3683). Preâ€"registration is required Your $5 per person donation goes to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre. (Please note that we will observe a moment of silence at 11 am for Remembrance Day.) Eo take part in Dove‘s Real Beauty Workshop for girls After rereading the front page of the site some two years after first seeing it, 1 think I‘m beginning to understand the underlying message: the Internet enables real people to talk to each other about the comâ€" panies that they work for and with, and oh how peoâ€" ple are talking. The techâ€" nologies, websites and proâ€" gramming of the Internet might have changed a bit to list 95 short theses relatâ€" ing to this revelation, all stacked into one page. N44 T6 King 44. Seoth AÂ¥% The Shops at Watertos Youn $qvare Willis Way Entrance {819) 576â€"7106 PC istn l . _ Help us celebrate our new location _ jwitha GBAND,OPENING SALE * *\ 9 5% OEF entire store cluding Mome and Christmas decor, _ {candl<8y g M8s ware, prints... 4 . difi@fresh flowers) ) Biring in this or an extra gift J .gf w B i. last» Donna, Dawn & the Staff invite you . to share in the merriment at our . ~Â¥â€" 6th Annual Christmas Open House! * _ % Nov 1 â€" CY )T Nz w AMA Nov 3 > TskesWhite leral 10 am â€" 12 pm | 200 University Avenue West, University of Waterloo me St For businesses, Internet conversations might strike fear into the very soul of your company. What if a customer found out that we skimped on materials when we built our latest widget? What if our newest product X gets bad reviews? Is this fear necessarily a bad thing? I believe it can focus a comâ€" pany‘s every move when management knows it is over the past seven years, but the ongoing conversaâ€" tions are still as human and as relevant as ever. For the consumer, Interâ€" net conversations about businesses are a godsend. If you are having a problem with a particular camera model for instance, it‘s not at all hard to find out if othâ€" ers are having the same issues. Sharing your story of how you went about getting a free replacement can guide others to do the same. Customers can "band together" to gripe or rave about a product, form a user fan group or form the start to a class action lawsuit. Nov 1 â€" 10 to 6 Nov 2 â€" 10 to 9 Nov 3 â€" 10 to 9 Nov 4 â€" 10 to 6 Lin under this constant scrutiny. Business transparency is becoming an increasingly attractive trait when conâ€" sumers are choosing a comâ€" pany to work with. And, since people are talking about your business anyâ€" way, why not take advantage of, participate in and encourage the conversaâ€" tions? There are an incrediâ€" ble number of ways now for a company to involve their customers in defining prodâ€" ucts and directing the busiâ€" ness to a more profitable path. I‘ve noticed that some large companies, whether they had the manifesto or Continued on page 30 Friday 3â€"6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10amâ€"5pm Tickets: $4 adult admission, children 12 and under free For three days, talented Canadian Artisans, Artists, Craftspeople, and Guilds will be displaying, demonstrating and selling their unique products. October 27â€"29, Bingemans, Kitchener SHOW & SALE THE RECORD "Interiors Without Attitude" 1 227 Weber St. N. Waterioo P ~;£i (Beside Wendy‘s) * B 885â€"7145 This is a busy time of year when we all want our homes spruced up for the coming season. An Inâ€"Home Consultation will give you a game plan to allow you to work at your own pace and budget when decorating. My name is Linda Guthro and | can help you take the stress out of decision making when selecting colours, furnishings, furniture placement, accessories, window treatments, flooring and so much more. I am a graduate of Sheridan college and have over 20 years experience in decorating. I am also the Program Coordinator and an Instructor of the new Interior Decâ€" orating Credit Course at Conestoga College. Call today and arrange an appointment so we can make your "house" your "*home" that you can enjoy for years to come. presents ORKS the dove fund