The Pew Internet & American Life Project released a report this week indicating nearly 40% of adult Internet users have researched housing information online. This is up from 34% in 2004 and only 27% in 2000. Of people between the ages of 18 and 29, over half have looked for housing information online.

This study illustrates the importance of good, accessible online housing information and shows the number of users leveraging the Internet when making a major purchase.

Business 2.0 magazine had an October article on how redesigned packaging often boost consumer products.

…but if packaging is done right, the rewards can be huge. Even a clearer label or a new container shape can lead to double-digit sales growth.

Brainstorm partner GE realized such rewards when they redesigned their 2.4GHz cordless phones…elevating demand “nearly triple the original forecasts.” Smart design can lead to great ROI.

Magazine Business 2.0 celebrates business-smart design in its July 2006 issue. In an article entitled “Packaging That Pays” they chronicle several consumer products that are gaining market share based upon a redesign in packaging.

“If packaging is done right, the rewards can be huge. Even a clearer label or a new container shape can lead to double-digit sales growth.”

Brainstorm is a firm believer in the merits of well-designed packaging. One of our clients, GE, tripled their original sales forecast with a new package design for a cordless phone.

The BBC News has an interesting article today on how a team of researchers used Google to discover correct diagnoses based upon input symptoms. While interesting and amusing, it’s yet another example of the pervasiveness and movement toward using the web for collective intelligence.

Bart Caylor and Jim Wolfe led a discussion today for the Electronic Communications Community of Interest meeting during the national TAG conference. The following link is the handout provided as part of the discussion on utilizing new technology to best communicate electronically.

Brainstorm TAG Electronic Communications MindMap