Socialstruct Advisory Group is a boutique consulting and research company in Toronto. We help companies to learn, research, and develop effective strategies to leverage emerging technologies in their organizations, with a major focus on social media.

Our combined backgrounds provide insight from the worlds of consulting, research, technology, and industry. We differentiate our offering by our ability to use technology to support and accelerate your corporate initiatives and goals. We go deeper into your company’s strategy to ensure we maximize impact and results.

How we work with clients

Socialstruct typically works with clients on a retainer agreement (usually a minimum three month engagement). This retainer agreement is developed based on conversations between the client and Socialstruct, and includes a set number of consulting and research hours, workshops, and coaching or advisory services. We are happy to consider smaller engagements or shorter-term projects, however retainer agreements allow us to maximize our impact and unlock the long-term value in partnering with us.

The shift to social media

Just after the collapse of the Information Technology Bubble in 2000, an important shift happened on the Web. This convergence of new technologies, business models, and a new generation of Internet users (Gen Y) is often called ‘Web 2.0’. This ‘new web’ represented a shift in web applications to those which allowed for interaction, relationship building, information sharing, and dynamic collaboration.

Examples of Web 2.0 applications, or ‘social media’, include forums, blogs, wikis, microblogging (Twitter), social networking sites (Facebook & LinkedIn), podcasting, and social bookmarking. Each of these represent a new form of media where the content is produced and uploaded by everyday users, not a small group of publishers like those who produce newspapers or television commercials.

The result: it’s easier than ever to share thoughts about experiences online, good or bad. Chances are your customers, employees or partners are already talking about you. This presents a world of opportunity you might not be tapping into. Within these conversations lies potential sales leads, valuable customer insights, and loyal brand ambassadors.

What is your company doing to adapt?

In a world where purchasing decisions are influenced by conversations between bloggers, tweeters, podcasters or anyone with access to a mobile device or computer, what is your company doing to adapt? According to the American Marketing Association, 53% of businesses expect to increase spending on social media marketing in 2010, and Forrester Research estimates that by 2014, companies will spend $3.2 billion on social media – compared to just $716 million this year.

While budgeting is one thing, the knowledge and expertise to effectively tap into these channels is another. Socialstruct Advisory Group enables your company to stay ahead of the curve. Our insight, strategic research, and advisory services help your organization unlock the value in the space where technology, sociology, and business strategy intersect.

Interested in working with us? Learn about our approach, and how we can help.