Friday, April 9, 2010
Listening.
I find questioning the importance of listening to be rather ridiculous, but what's more ridiculous is how much said importance is ignored. It is one of the only two critical factors of communication, when you break it down. If you aren't listening to what's communicated, it was all in vain, no matter how affective the communicator was. Likewise, the one doing the communicating is doing everything they can to get you to listen. It's the most important part of the entire process.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Communication Technology
I'm only a student, but I've done an incredible amount of business on my cell phone. Especially compared what we were capable of only a few years or months ago. We have been able to use mobile internet for years, but it's incredible how much information we can access, how we access it, and who can access it. Not that it would be the optimal medium, but I am able to create, edit, package, upload, print, and purchase an entire book on my phone, which I have done. It's difficult to wrap one's mind around what mobile information capabilities we'll have in the future.
Monday, February 8, 2010
10 Good Corporate Blogging Sites (according to Blogtrepreneur)
Blogtrepreneur lists 10 great corporate blogging sites. I'm not surprised that Google is number one. They seem made for this type of thing, seeing as everything they say has a good balance of professionalism and humor. Most things they address carry a certain amount of intrigue as well.
The site says:
1. Official Google Blog (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/)
It’s ranked #1 on Technorati’s top Corporate Blogs, and whether you approve of Google as a company or not, if you do any kind of business on the internet, you must acknowledge this company’s influence on all things web-related.
2. LinkedIn Blog (http://blog.linkedin.com/)
Stay on top of changes in the job market, learn how to use the LinkedIn application, read about how to use social media to make the most of your professional contacts.
3. Whole Story: The Whole Foods Blog (http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/)
As a pioneer in conscious consumerism and one of the most successful retailers in the country, Whole Foods’ blog combines business news infused with the unique Whole Foods philosophy, along with delicious topics on all kinds of food, wine, and environmental issues.
4. The Chatter: The Official Ebay Blog (http://www.ebaychatter.com/)
Keep your finger on the pulse of the most successful and popular online auction website. The Chatter covers Ebay as both a company and a community, and regularly features some of the coolest auctions posted on the site.
5. Check Out Blog: The Official Wal-Mart Blog (http://www.checkoutblog.com/)
Whether you like Wal-Mart or not, this retail giant is a huge force in the retail marketplace, and regularly reading their blog can help you stay abreast of trends that inevitably occur when they make announcements. Despite Wal-Mart being a big, faceless corporation the bloggers on this site are surprisingly personable in their writing.
6. The Fast Lane: GM’s Blog (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/)
As one of the largest manufacturers in the U.S., and in light of the major economic impact this company has had on American taxpayers in the past year, keeping up with this blog is a great way to stay up on the forces that are shaping the future of the economy right now.
7. Future Banking Blog (http://futurebanking.bankofamerica.com)
This blog is a collaborative effort between Bank of American and MIT which addresses the future of the banking industry, and the steps that are being taken to evolve banking as a business. If you are interested in money at all you should read this blog.
8. Values in Practice: The McDonald’s Corporate Blog (http://www.crmcdonalds.com/publish/csr/home/_blog.html)
McDonald’s remains one of the most successful corporations in America, and continues to show profits even during the current recession. But what makes this blog so unique is that it is an official corporate blog that is primarily focused on corporate responsibility and sustainability.
9. Amazon Daily (http://www.amazon.com/gp/daily)
Amazon is the premier internet marketplace, and the official blog gives information about the company as well as product information from editors in every product category. Customers can give private feedback to the writers or leave a public comment.
10. The Platform: Opinions and Insights from Cisco (http://blogs.cisco.com)
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of networking and security technologies, Cisco’s official blog will give you a glimpse into the inner workings of a tech giant, and help you stay aware of product and financial news that will have an impact on the market.
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SOURCE: http://www.blogtrepreneur.com/2009/02/19/ten-corporate-blogs-worth-reading/
The site says:
1. Official Google Blog (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/)
It’s ranked #1 on Technorati’s top Corporate Blogs, and whether you approve of Google as a company or not, if you do any kind of business on the internet, you must acknowledge this company’s influence on all things web-related.
2. LinkedIn Blog (http://blog.linkedin.com/)
Stay on top of changes in the job market, learn how to use the LinkedIn application, read about how to use social media to make the most of your professional contacts.
3. Whole Story: The Whole Foods Blog (http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/)
As a pioneer in conscious consumerism and one of the most successful retailers in the country, Whole Foods’ blog combines business news infused with the unique Whole Foods philosophy, along with delicious topics on all kinds of food, wine, and environmental issues.
4. The Chatter: The Official Ebay Blog (http://www.ebaychatter.com/)
Keep your finger on the pulse of the most successful and popular online auction website. The Chatter covers Ebay as both a company and a community, and regularly features some of the coolest auctions posted on the site.
5. Check Out Blog: The Official Wal-Mart Blog (http://www.checkoutblog.com/)
Whether you like Wal-Mart or not, this retail giant is a huge force in the retail marketplace, and regularly reading their blog can help you stay abreast of trends that inevitably occur when they make announcements. Despite Wal-Mart being a big, faceless corporation the bloggers on this site are surprisingly personable in their writing.
6. The Fast Lane: GM’s Blog (http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/)
As one of the largest manufacturers in the U.S., and in light of the major economic impact this company has had on American taxpayers in the past year, keeping up with this blog is a great way to stay up on the forces that are shaping the future of the economy right now.
7. Future Banking Blog (http://futurebanking.bankofamerica.com)
This blog is a collaborative effort between Bank of American and MIT which addresses the future of the banking industry, and the steps that are being taken to evolve banking as a business. If you are interested in money at all you should read this blog.
8. Values in Practice: The McDonald’s Corporate Blog (http://www.crmcdonalds.com/publish/csr/home/_blog.html)
McDonald’s remains one of the most successful corporations in America, and continues to show profits even during the current recession. But what makes this blog so unique is that it is an official corporate blog that is primarily focused on corporate responsibility and sustainability.
9. Amazon Daily (http://www.amazon.com/gp/daily)
Amazon is the premier internet marketplace, and the official blog gives information about the company as well as product information from editors in every product category. Customers can give private feedback to the writers or leave a public comment.
10. The Platform: Opinions and Insights from Cisco (http://blogs.cisco.com)
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of networking and security technologies, Cisco’s official blog will give you a glimpse into the inner workings of a tech giant, and help you stay aware of product and financial news that will have an impact on the market.
----
SOURCE: http://www.blogtrepreneur.com/2009/02/19/ten-corporate-blogs-worth-reading/
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Business Blogging Guidelines
A business's image is its most important characteristic. It must be looked after carefully and requires careful planning and maintenance. Social networking has exploded in recent years (seen evident by links to twitter, facebook, etc on the majority of business websites).
As you would expect, a business's image needs guidelines and planning ahead in order to be maintained. IBM has developed a strong example of said guidelines, which they require their employees to follow. They are:
1: Know and follow IBM's Business Conduct Guidelines.
2: IBMers are personally responsible for the content they publish on blogs, wikis or any other form of user-generated media. Be mindful that what you publish will be public for a long time—protect your privacy.
3: Identify yourself—name and, when relevant, role at IBM—when you discuss IBM or IBM-related matters. And write in the first person. You must make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of IBM.
4: If you publish content to any website outside of IBM and it has something to do with work you do or subjects associated with IBM, use a disclaimer such as this: "The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions."
5: Respect copyright, fair use and financial disclosure laws.
6: Don't provide IBM's or another's confidential or other proprietary information. Ask permission to publish or report on conversations that are meant to be private or internal to IBM.
7: Don't cite or reference clients, partners or suppliers without their approval. When you do make a reference, where possible link back to the source.
8: Respect your audience. Don't use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable in IBM's workplace. You should also show proper consideration for others' privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory—such as politics and religion.
9: Find out who else is blogging or publishing on the topic, and cite them.
10: Be aware of your association with IBM in online social networks. If you identify yourself as an IBMer, ensure your profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself with colleagues and clients.
11: Don't pick fights, be the first to correct your own mistakes, and don't alter previous posts without indicating that you have done so.
12: Try to add value. Provide worthwhile information and perspective. IBM's brand is best represented by its people and what you publish may reflect on IBM's brand.
IBM realizes the frailty of its image while those employed by or affiliated with the company have access to social networking and blogging. Many companies enforce these rules like IBM's. It's a game plan acknowledged by many employers that preserves their reputation and is an effective strategy to preserve a positive image.
Source: http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html
As you would expect, a business's image needs guidelines and planning ahead in order to be maintained. IBM has developed a strong example of said guidelines, which they require their employees to follow. They are:
1: Know and follow IBM's Business Conduct Guidelines.
2: IBMers are personally responsible for the content they publish on blogs, wikis or any other form of user-generated media. Be mindful that what you publish will be public for a long time—protect your privacy.
3: Identify yourself—name and, when relevant, role at IBM—when you discuss IBM or IBM-related matters. And write in the first person. You must make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of IBM.
4: If you publish content to any website outside of IBM and it has something to do with work you do or subjects associated with IBM, use a disclaimer such as this: "The postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions."
5: Respect copyright, fair use and financial disclosure laws.
6: Don't provide IBM's or another's confidential or other proprietary information. Ask permission to publish or report on conversations that are meant to be private or internal to IBM.
7: Don't cite or reference clients, partners or suppliers without their approval. When you do make a reference, where possible link back to the source.
8: Respect your audience. Don't use ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, or engage in any conduct that would not be acceptable in IBM's workplace. You should also show proper consideration for others' privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory—such as politics and religion.
9: Find out who else is blogging or publishing on the topic, and cite them.
10: Be aware of your association with IBM in online social networks. If you identify yourself as an IBMer, ensure your profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself with colleagues and clients.
11: Don't pick fights, be the first to correct your own mistakes, and don't alter previous posts without indicating that you have done so.
12: Try to add value. Provide worthwhile information and perspective. IBM's brand is best represented by its people and what you publish may reflect on IBM's brand.
IBM realizes the frailty of its image while those employed by or affiliated with the company have access to social networking and blogging. Many companies enforce these rules like IBM's. It's a game plan acknowledged by many employers that preserves their reputation and is an effective strategy to preserve a positive image.
Source: http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Making Business Human
What can professional blogs do for businesses and organizations? Blogs have the potential to humanize the organization or corporation behind them. They provide a voice from any person or identity the company choses. Blogs are a connection to the world with their availability to readers and writers of other blogs.
The purpose and use of the blog depends on the nature of the company. It is a tool to be used in the company’s favor, but respected with as much scrutiny as possible, seeing as it is a direct statement from individuals within the company.
Blogs have become a phenomenon in communication and a powerful tool in business.
The purpose and use of the blog depends on the nature of the company. It is a tool to be used in the company’s favor, but respected with as much scrutiny as possible, seeing as it is a direct statement from individuals within the company.
Blogs have become a phenomenon in communication and a powerful tool in business.
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