Dell is doing an outstanding job at empowering and having conversations with its customers. A little over a year ago, they launched a community site, Dell Idea Storm. It's built with a wiki framework and uses a Digg-type algorithm to rank various product recommendations and feedback from users. And guess what? Dell is not only listening but it is also having authentic conversations with customers. One recommendation from the community is the option of having pre-installed software, which has more than 50,000 votes and well over 100 comments.

And, rumor has it that Michael Dell himself participates in the discussions.

Also, Chairman and CEO of Marriott International Bill Marriott is continuing to yield positive results from a blog he launched last year. In fact, one of the first posts, "Uncharted Territory," received over 100 comments. The blog summarizes what blogging is all about -- what it can ultimately do for a brand by telling stories, listening and learning from customers, and making the brand even more personal.

According to Kathleen Matthews, Marriott's spokeswoman, "This is going to be Bill Marriott's blog. It's not going to be the corporate blog. He's going to decide what he wants to say."

And, yes, he does respond to several of the comments.