maven

is a person who is socially plugged in, willing to share, and whom we rely upon to connect us to new information. Mavens tend to be responsible for word-of-mouth epidemics.

Mavens are 'information specialist', or 'people we rely upon to connect us with new information'.[4] They accumulate knowledge, especially about the marketplace, and know how to share it with others. Gladwell cites Mark Alpert as a prototypical Maven who is 'almost pathologically helpful', further adding, 'he can't help himself'.[8] In this vein, Alpert himself concedes, 'A Maven is someone who wants to solve other people's problems, generally by solving his own'.[8] According to Gladwell, Mavens start 'word-of-mouth epidemics' due to their knowledge, social skills, and ability to communicate.[9] As Malcolm Gladwell states, 'Mavens are really information brokers, sharing and trading what they know'.[10] (wikipedia)

maven, n.Definitions

maven