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May 19, 2005
Define Prosumer
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
"Prosumer" is a word I frequently heard when my wife was an active Quixtar IBO. From the way it was used I assumed that a prosumer was someone who bought products from Quixtar instead of a traditional retail outlet. "Don't be a consumer and buy from Wal-Mart, be a prosumer and buy from Me-Mart!" What marketing genius came up with "Me-Mart" anyway? Ah, but I digress.
So, what does "prosumer" really mean? I can't seem to get a conclusive answer from the IBOs I've asked so I searched the Internet. Tipped by an alert reader I found a prosumer definition at World Wide Words.
...coined in 1980 by the futurist Alvin Toffler — in his book The Third Wave — as a blend of producer and consumer. He used it to describe a possible future type of consumer who would become involved in the design and manufacture of products...
And a site called The Word Spy describes a prosumer thusly:
- A consumer who is an amateur in a particular field, but who is knowledgeable enough to require equipment that has some professional features ("professional" + "consumer").
- A person who helps to design or customize the products they purchase ("producer" + "consumer").
- A person who creates goods for their own use and also possibly to sell ("producing" + "consumer").
- A person who takes steps to correct difficulties with consumer companies or markets and to anticipate future problems ("proactive" + "consumer").
And of course Wikipedia has a very thorough definition of the word including a reference to that wonderful book, the cluetrain manifesto:
More recently, the cluetrain manifesto noted that "markets are conversations" with the new economy "moving from passive consumers ... to active prosumers."
So, what does prosumer mean and are Quxitar IBOs using the term correctly? From my limited exposure to the word's usage within Quixtar I'd say the word is used incorrectly or at best, in a new way. But I may be wrong. I honestly don't know. The word is just one of those words that people hear and nod and don't think much about. It's a good word, I like saying it (unlike Me-Mart which I hate saying or hearing). Prosumer. I'm a prosumer. You're a prosumer. We prosume.
So what do you think prosumer means? And do you believe Quixtar IBOs are using it properly or do you even care one way or the other?
Comments
The term is used in the book "Pro-sumer power" by Bill Quin - phd in ?
"How to create wealth by buying smarter, not cheaper".
Producers make money.
Consumers spend money.
Pro-sumers make money while they spend.
Basically the book promotes MLM plans and getting people to "buy from themselves."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1891279041/qid=1116511693/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-7410679-9275133?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
Yup, we were prospected by that book. Actually, this single word is the whole basis of the scam.
Word spy's definition "A consumer who is an amateur in a particular field, but who is knowledgeable enough to require equipment that has some professional features ("professional" + "consumer")." was the only use I knew of the word prior to the phenomenom of the IBO usage.
When I was a video producer, some of our original equipment we purchased was "prosumer grade"...or high-end consumer models with profesional features and quality. Basically a professional grade of equipment that was designed for home use, with wood grain finishes instead of the pro-metal/silver look.
I have only heard of the IBO usage in the last year or so...But being on the outside of "the systems" sometime I have a delay in hearing the newest jargon.
I think I got it!!
They are trying to take the "con" out of sumer!!!
The Ambots misuse the word just as they abuse the phrase "Free Enterprise".
Not that it comes as a big surprise; although they consider themselves 'trained' these dolts couldn't pass a 101-level course in business as the local CC.
It is just another abuse to go along with the abuses in trust, loyalty, friendship, fidelity and integrity!
A person who creates goods for their own use and also possibly to sell ("producing" + "consumer").
I imagine that most IBO's see themselves as fitting into this defintion of prosumer. The only problem is is that IBO's don't create or produce any goods, they only buy them from what they believe is "their company." When all is said and done, they are still consumers of Quixtar products and employees of the Quixtar company.
I can see why they latched on to this word, though. It is very positive and professional sounding. Too bad it isn't used correctly, at least from what I can make of the true defintions.
"Free Enterprise"
I never knew Enterprise was being held prisoner.
PW
Most comments seems to be cynical, uninformed, uneducated, born out of hatred, failure, looser mindset. Global size of traditional Distribution Model which involves physical and intellectual distribution of good and services covering whole saling, retailing, marketing, advertising costs 3 trillion USD annually. Prosumer Networking is business model which replaces Middlemen+ Marketing+ Advertising with Consumer who connect themselves to Producer which is Prosumer Business Model which is fast approaching 1 trillion USD globally by 2010. This needs proper study and understanding and will be a force to recon.
I am from Indonesia & I learned about the Prosumer too. The idea of Prosumer - whether it is closely relating to MLM or a certain IBO - is not important. The important thing is whether it is useful for our own life. If it is, then go on, be one of the prosumer. If not, go on with your present life. Life is a choice anyway.
It's a sumer that's lost its amateur status, silly!
Posted by: rocket | May 19, 2005 2:38 PM