| In the past, and sometimes even today, town hall | | | | industry perspectives. For instance if you are involved |
| meetings were (are) used to inform individuals in a | | | | in an industry and you do not share the specific views |
| community about events, projects and perspectives | | | | of most in regard to the direction the industry is going |
| that would have some impact on those in attendance. | | | | your business forum can provide a means of stating |
| Sometimes these meetings were to inform the public | | | | your dissenting opinion and allowing others to discuss |
| of new projects of policies that might change the way | | | | the merits of your argument. You can do the same |
| certain things are handled in a community. Leaders | | | | thing via a business blog, but a forum allows individuals |
| who call town hall meetings do so in order to explain | | | | to more freely converse about your perspectives and |
| their perspective, invite questions and welcome | | | | share their own point of view. The result is a cyber |
| feedback. Sometimes these events get heated with | | | | town hall meeting for those most concerned with the |
| emotional energy flowing throughout the building. | | | | issues you are addressing. Forums are perfect |
| Misunderstandings occur and feelings are stepped on. | | | | opportunities to allow full personal expression by |
| Leaders must step in and help guide the conversation | | | | potential consumers. It also allows you to interact with |
| while seeking to moderate the overall discussion. | | | | consumers in a way that provides an opportunity to |
| Politicians often encourage this kind of gathering in | | | | explain issues that may be difficult to accept at first |
| order to explain what they stand for and what they | | | | read. This format for conversation often feels very |
| stand against. The questions posed help to either | | | | much like community. Obviously this is a community |
| galvanize individuals to help elect the politician or it | | | | you may never see, but the psychology of the Internet |
| convinces them there must be a better candidate. | | | | indicates there often becomes an emotional |
| Town hall meetings have even gone hi-tech as global | | | | attachment by those who regularly use this medium of |
| meetings and debate are conducted using video | | | | connectivity. Forums, blogs and social media sites are |
| streaming technology and then archived for later | | | | prime emotional connections for online users. It is not |
| review. The Internet provides a tool for online business | | | | uncommon for online users to gravitate toward their |
| owners to use as a means of soliciting debate, | | | | computers many times throughout the day in an effort |
| entertaining questions or stating personal opinion. This | | | | to connect with individuals from other parts of the |
| tool is known as forums. The role of forums in | | | | world on issues they feel strongly about. Your online |
| business may be limited to simply allowing individuals to | | | | business forum could be the place where connections |
| voice opinions on your product, service or industry in | | | | are made. Bring the town hall to your business website |
| general. However it can also be a catalyst for | | | | it may be the perfect way for visitors to develop an |
| conversation regarding company policy, direction or | | | | emotional attachment to your brand. |