not about my position on blogs, but those about having said the last words about them. Let the discussion continue!
Some interesting phenomena have occurred that bear mentioning since I began this public revelation and now discourse. First, I’ve been alerted that I need to be careful what I say, as there may be a misconception about whose position is really advanced here. So, for the record,
ALL CONTENT POSTED ON THIS BLOG BY THE BLOGGER (ME) PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, ARE SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY AND VIEWS OF THE BLOGGER ONLY (ME AGAIN), AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF APQC, ITS CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, OR OTHER AGENTS (BASICALLY, MANAGEMENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY POSTS, THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG NOTWITHSTANDING). I PRESUME THAT THE RESPONSES POSTED TO IT ARE ONLY THOSE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AUTHORS AS WELL.
With that out of the way, I also realize that my communication skills must need some improvement, as my position on the use of blogs is clearly not clear to those responding. I’ll need time to work on that—please be patient.
This discussion has also given me an opportunity to learn that more people read this blog than I could have imagined, with some of the lurkers now commenting publicly, indicating that I must have hit on a topic with real interest. In fact, there have been more responses to my posts re blogs than on any other topic—what delicious irony. For that I thank you.
7 comments:
Jim.. a book I've just started to leaf through might be a good reference for this conversation, in particular your comment "I've been alerted that I need to be careful.." and your questions about the business value of blogs.
Blog Rules: A business Guide to Managing Policy, Public Relations, and Legal Issues by nancy Flynn
It's quite a good look at the implications of corporate blogging (mostly) and personal blogging. I find it a bit "glass half empty" (my biases talking) with a significant focus on dangers, risks, and so on, but the author has some very good tips on how to avoid the pitfalls and maximize the value of blogs, with solid, pithy rules and action plans. I really like a couple of the author's key messages (my interpretation): don't put your foot in your mouth, and don't shoot yourself in the foot (before or after it's in your mouth); blogging policy is an extension / contextualization of conflict of interest / code of conduct type of policies.
And in Part 8 of the book, there are two really good case studies of how IBM and Edelman have dealt with blogging. Included are good Qs and As, and copies of their policies.
Note that IBM considers "Blogging is a good way to build relationships, demonstrate thought leadership, and help people develop an affinitity for IBM. According to Edelman, "Blogs enable companies to build the type of grassroots relationships with customers that simply didn't exist before. Business blogs also faciltiate relationships with influential bloggers who may be writing about the company.".. and " Because employee-bloggers are viewed as 'just ordinary guys,' there is a higher built-in level of trust among other bloggers and readers in general."
Jim.. something else to consider, from a corporate perspective, is "Return on Influence" - the value of a good blog as a vehicle to influence your organization's target market, and even supply chain. A few good thoughts here:
http://blogs.mediapost.com/spin/?p=984
Jim, have you abandoned this blog? I notice no posts for almost two months now. It seems a shame if you have dropped it -- there is good content in the blog archives.
We live in an age of complete transparency. Blogs are highly visible and searchable and certainly not the place for any sensitive ideation or process improvements. Which is too bad, it's a lot easier to navigate than forums, discussions or wikis in my opinion.
As a business owner/entrepreneur, I'd never heard of APQC until today. I've only been aware of smaller companies like Michael Gerber's E-Myth Worldwide and the usual cadre of small business gurus. But big business is big for a reason... they've learned to manage great brain trusts in an efficient way and stay 'small' despite larger staff and legal issues. "Big-small" businesses and intelligently run business units of larger corporations will never cease to inspire me.
PS Hire me :)
PPS I'll blog about your blog and keep with the intent you intended. Feel free to forward to legal for review ;)
Getting the awesomest career in
Houston... one day at a time!
Chet Ranger
Hey Chet,
APQC is always looking for new staff members in one area or another. Feel free to email your resume to HR to get into the system. If your skills are a match for any of our openings, someone will contact you. Mail it to resumes@apqc.org. Good luck.
-Tommy (yeah, I work there)
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