But Mr. Webster may soon be updating that definition, because in the world of Web 2.0, a “widget” is the newest marvel of technology. Widgets are mini-applications or programs, a piece of code that you can place on your desktop, a webpage or the homepage of your browser. They are dynamic, updating content with everything from weather updates, calendars, sports or stock tickers, to countdowns to holidays, etc. Wikipedia® has plenty of this newer definition and information on its site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_widgets)\

For a few examples, check out Forbes.com (www.forbes.com/widgets). They just launched a variety of business related widgets, with Visa as a major sponsor. 

B2B Marketers should begin thinking about widgets as something other than a quick fun way to get information, and as a great opportunity to build relationships with customers and potential customers. Besides sponsoring widgets already developed by content or third party providers, B2B companies should consider creating their own. One leader that has their own is IBM - (http://widgets.yahoo.com/gallery/?author=18994).

Isn’t there relevant information that your customers are looking for that you could provide in a format that is easy to use and all is all in one place?  Maybe it consists of technical calculations and formulas or even something humorous, like an engineering joke of the day. Drop us a post and share your favorite widgets or ideas for some.