Forrester Research recently launched its 2012 Forrester Groundswell Awards. The awards specifically recognize organizations that are using social technology in exceptional ways to advance their goals.

With nominations currently in full swing, we’re proud to rally around our customers and support them as nominees.

Read our customer’s submissions at the links below to pick up some best practices for your own community. And while you’re reading up on their communities, don’t forget to add your ‘5 stars’ vote (bonus points for adding a comment):

  • Macmillan Cancer Support: With a reach to more than 4.9 million people, Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity dedicated to providing specialist healthcare, information and financial support to people in the UK affected by cancer. It created an online community where members describe their experiences with cancer, share advice based on cancer types and engage with healthcare providers. 
  • Beck Ag: Agriculture meets social technology. Beck Ag created a private online community for ag professionals to exchange knowledge and support one another. It also generates revenue from corporate sponsors who pay to have private subgroups and discussions with ag professionals about their products.
  • Slimband: Slimband engages current and prospective patients about its weight loss surgery. It cut support costs by $60,000/year, reduced call volume by more than 1,100 calls annually and attributes $80,000 in revenue to the community.
  • Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers around the globe. It created an online community for peer support, sales enablement and customer engagement, which resulted in decreased support calls and an improved sales process by getting customers the information they need at the right time during the sales cycle. 
  • Aeroportos de Portugal: ANA provides a shared environment where employees work together to address relevant business challenges and create new ideas. This community now represents 45% of the total company's workforce compared to the previous 0.7%. The number of ideas submitted also grew 98% when compared to the previous status.

The Forrester Groundswell Awards provides an opportunity to recognize pioneers in social business, as well as learn from companies who know how to create strategies that help them lower support costs, increase brand awareness or connect their employees for engagement. Check out the submissions for ideas, and offer your support by voting while you’re there!

[5 star image source:] Big Stock Photo