The Power of Curation: Shaping the Information Age and Building Customer Experiences

The Power of Curation: Shaping the Information Age and Building Customer Experiences

In a world of informational abundance, content curation has emerged as a new form of authorship. Just like curators in the art world, online curators gather and organize content around a theme they deem culturally significant. However, as the volume of information continues to grow, we must also develop new methods of archiving that preserve the dimension, context, and cultural significance of these information nodes.

One example of the transformative power of curation is seen in Maria Popova's Twitter feed. Initially intended as a supplement to her existing readers, the Twitter feed took on a life of its own, becoming the number-one driver for new readers. This demonstrates that curation can have a life of its own, attracting a wider audience and expanding the reach of curated content.

The rise of new tools like Twitter challenges the traditional notion of attention as something that is either given or taken away. Instead, these tools allow us to direct attention to destinations where it can be sustained with more concentration and immersion. In a world of overabundance of information, curation becomes a means to discover the most relevant, interesting, and impactful information, and connect it to other information in a networked ecosystem of meaning. This helps us better understand the world and each other.

Twitter itself is a constantly changing platform defined by its evolving social utility. Users have introduced features like the photo-sharing service, responding to the demands of communication on this ever-changing platform. This highlights the power of Twitter as a tool that gives people the ability to express themselves and gather like-minded individuals.

However, the current models for crediting content curation and information discovery are inadequate. Acknowledging these forms of creative labor and finding ways to codify this acknowledgement is the next frontier in thinking about intellectual property in the information age. It is crucial to recognize the value and effort put into curating and discovering information, and to establish a system that properly credits and supports those who engage in these activities.

On the other hand, in building customer experiences, understanding user behavior is paramount. Whether it's a feature, functionality, or product, the goal is to change the behavior of customers. To do so effectively, it is essential to question how users behave, why they do it, and what motivates them. This understanding aligns with the user's goals and helps shape the company's products or services accordingly.

Innovation always carries a risk, but having the right objectives and key results (OKRs) is crucial. Setting measurable targets for growth or improvement over a specific period allows for a focused approach. One common mistake is prioritizing one aspect over the other, such as solely focusing on revenue growth without considering user experience or vice versa. It is important to strike a balance and have a holistic view of the impact of innovations.

For aspiring product managers, it is essential to view product management from the user's perspective. The role of a product manager is not solely to build products but to solve problems. Adopting this mindset is key to breaking into the field. Seeking mentorship, learning about various functions like UX, research, engineering, and design, and understanding how they come together in product management is crucial. Participating in open discussions, finding a product mentor, attending webinars, and learning how to identify meaningful metrics are all valuable steps toward becoming a successful product manager.

In conclusion, the power of curation in the information age cannot be underestimated. It allows us to navigate the overwhelming abundance of information and discover what is truly valuable and meaningful. Curation is a form of creative labor that deserves recognition and support. Similarly, in building customer experiences, understanding user behavior and setting clear objectives are essential. By incorporating these actionable insights, we can harness the power of curation and create impactful customer experiences in the digital age.