Comments on: Amplification of my remarks to Dee Rambeau on “Quitting Blogging” http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/ Marcom - Marketing Communications :: PR/Marcom Pros Mentoring Students Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:17:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: sara http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-19412 sara Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:02:09 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-19412 Wow! This seems to be an issue that many are very passionate about. The one thing that bothers me in this situation is that it seems like all c-level execs are being grouped together. To me, this should be considered on a case by case basis. I think both sides of this argument are very legitimate, but you do not know the background of these managers nor the nature of the company they work for. If I was put in a position where an exec wanted to blog, I really do no think I would have the right to say no, can you really tell someone not to express their opinion? However, you better believe I would monitor that blog, I would check it before I checked my e-mail. Wow! This seems to be an issue that many are very passionate about. The one thing that bothers me in this situation is that it seems like all c-level execs are being grouped together. To me, this should be considered on a case by case basis. I think both sides of this argument are very legitimate, but you do not know the background of these managers nor the nature of the company they work for. If I was put in a position where an exec wanted to blog, I really do no think I would have the right to say no, can you really tell someone not to express their opinion? However, you better believe I would monitor that blog, I would check it before I checked my e-mail.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-18555 Lauren Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:09:23 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-18555 The other day in class, someone asked our teacher "why blogging is so important, we know that we should do it and we know hoe to do it, but what good does it really do?" Our teacher replied with a very simple answer. To sum it up, she basically said that many execs of companies try too hard to market their products in a way that says for example, "I want you to think that Extra is the longest lasting gum." (random I know, I just saw a commercial...) When what they really need to do is make the public think ABOUT their product. Creating talk about a product is what makes it popular, not the fact that they say that it is the longest lasting gum. Someone needs to make a blog and get outsiders to say, "Wow, you have to try the new Extra gum, it really is the longest lasting gum." I understand now the possibility for success through blogging. It is a cheap way to market a product or company. If it doesn't do anything, bug deal, no real money or time was lost. The other day in class, someone asked our teacher “why blogging is so important, we know that we should do it and we know hoe to do it, but what good does it really do?” Our teacher replied with a very simple answer. To sum it up, she basically said that many execs of companies try too hard to market their products in a way that says for example, “I want you to think that Extra is the longest lasting gum.” (random I know, I just saw a commercial…) When what they really need to do is make the public think ABOUT their product.

Creating talk about a product is what makes it popular, not the fact that they say that it is the longest lasting gum. Someone needs to make a blog and get outsiders to say, “Wow, you have to try the new Extra gum, it really is the longest lasting gum.”

I understand now the possibility for success through blogging. It is a cheap way to market a product or company. If it doesn’t do anything, bug deal, no real money or time was lost.

]]> By: Allan Jenkins http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-11175 Allan Jenkins Fri, 04 May 2007 19:01:29 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-11175 Hayley, I apologize for not responding sooner.. I simply didn't see your reply. I probably should have said "capital matters less." In the old days, capital was a scarce resource: first, you needed lots of it to build a factory or railroad; second, capital moved sluggishly. Someone wanting to put up a textile mill in South Carolina in 1950 had access to local banks, but probably would never hear of the German bank with funds to lend. So the local banker would look over the business plan and pretty much give a "yes/no" answer. Today, most companies require relatively little capital to get off the ground, and, thanks to securitization of debt and global financial markets, money is dead easy to get. If I go down to my bank and ask for a loan, they will give it to me. Yes, if they feel it's risky, I will pay more in interest. But I will get the loan, because they can bundle, slice it, and sell it further. Here's an illustration: I am sure you and your classmates, not yet graduates, all have credit cards. Yet your parents -- and certainly your grandparents -- were probably first given credit, a loan, against substantial collateral: the first car or house. And then only if they had a steady income. Moreover, your credit cards may well be issued by a bank in Iowa or Virginia... they don't know you. But as recently as 1980, your only chance (as someone under 30) of a credit card was from a bank where you had been banking since you were about 10. So gaining access to capital, whether debt or equity. is the easy part. But just as money has become global, so has hiring. Today, you can decide what jobs to apply for in Seattle or Anchorage or San Diego... 20 years ago, you never would have heard of them. As an employer, I used to be able to count on the local university... now I have to compete with everyone. Allan Hayley, I apologize for not responding sooner.. I simply didn’t see your reply.

I probably should have said “capital matters less.” In the old days, capital was a scarce resource: first, you needed lots of it to build a factory or railroad; second, capital moved sluggishly. Someone wanting to put up a textile mill in South Carolina in 1950 had access to local banks, but probably would never hear of the German bank with funds to lend. So the local banker would look over the business plan and pretty much give a “yes/no” answer.

Today, most companies require relatively little capital to get off the ground, and, thanks to securitization of debt and global financial markets, money is dead easy to get. If I go down to my bank and ask for a loan, they will give it to me. Yes, if they feel it’s risky, I will pay more in interest. But I will get the loan, because they can bundle, slice it, and sell it further.

Here’s an illustration: I am sure you and your classmates, not yet graduates, all have credit cards. Yet your parents — and certainly your grandparents — were probably first given credit, a loan, against substantial collateral: the first car or house. And then only if they had a steady income.

Moreover, your credit cards may well be issued by a bank in Iowa or Virginia… they don’t know you. But as recently as 1980, your only chance (as someone under 30) of a credit card was from a bank where you had been banking since you were about 10.

So gaining access to capital, whether debt or equity. is the easy part.

But just as money has become global, so has hiring. Today, you can decide what jobs to apply for in Seattle or Anchorage or San Diego… 20 years ago, you never would have heard of them. As an employer, I used to be able to count on the local university… now I have to compete with everyone.

Allan

]]> By: Hayley http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10480 Hayley Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:48:58 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10480 This is an interesting debate I must say. I am glad that you and Dee have shared this information with us, considering our class has not been propositioned with a scenario exactly like this one before. I do agree with Tyler that we have been taught to caution with blog, especially when it concerns ethical matters. I agree with you Allan that corporate communicators are not in a position to prohibit senior executives from blogging. It speaks highly of a corporation if a senior executive takes the time to write in a blog. Not only does this reach across to the consumers, but it also speaks to all the employees. This can be a source for the employees to become better informed with the company and reach a more personal level with senior executives who they may not have much contact or communication with. Blogging is an amazing tool to reach all audiences when the content is good and appropriate. Whether it be through blogging or another means, communication is vital for an company's life, growth and success. Thanks for sharing this information with us. But I do have one question this is off the track from my comment- Exactly how are investors increasingly mattering less? Would you go into a little more detail for me? Thanks so much Allan! This is an interesting debate I must say. I am glad that you and Dee have shared this information with us, considering our class has not been propositioned with a scenario exactly like this one before. I do agree with Tyler that we have been taught to caution with blog, especially when it concerns ethical matters. I agree with you Allan that corporate communicators are not in a position to prohibit senior executives from blogging. It speaks highly of a corporation if a senior executive takes the time to write in a blog. Not only does this reach across to the consumers, but it also speaks to all the employees. This can be a source for the employees to become better informed with the company and reach a more personal level with senior executives who they may not have much contact or communication with. Blogging is an amazing tool to reach all audiences when the content is good and appropriate. Whether it be through blogging or another means, communication is vital for an company’s life, growth and success. Thanks for sharing this information with us. But I do have one question this is off the track from my comment- Exactly how are investors increasingly mattering less? Would you go into a little more detail for me? Thanks so much Allan!

]]> By: Dana http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10430 Dana Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:31:56 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10430 I think it is fine for c-level execs to blog as long as there is someone in charge of making sure that what is written can not get taken out of context. It is good for many different employees to blog to be able to get a true understanding of the personality of the company. I think it is fine for a variety of employees to blog as long as they are trustworthy and represent the company in a professional manner. I think it is fine for c-level execs to blog as long as there is someone in charge of making sure that what is written can not get taken out of context. It is good for many different employees to blog to be able to get a true understanding of the personality of the company. I think it is fine for a variety of employees to blog as long as they are trustworthy and represent the company in a professional manner.

]]> By: Evyan M. http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10411 Evyan M. Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:06:16 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10411 Looks like we have a bit of a debate going on here. Just like I told Dee before that I appreciated his input, I first want to thanks Allen for expressing his side as well. After reading Dee's original post, I appreciated the advice and was unsure about how I felt in response. Now that I have read Allen's post, sadly I am still unsure. I see both sides and I think I see them equally. However, I am moving to New York in less than two months to pursue a career in PR, so all advice is welcomed by me. Also, although there will likely be no agreement on this situation, it's nice to see the reality that in this industry, people will not always agree, but it's obvious from reading both people's side that they both would want what's best for whatever company they are working for. Looks like we have a bit of a debate going on here. Just like I told Dee before that I appreciated his input, I first want to thanks Allen for expressing his side as well. After reading Dee’s original post, I appreciated the advice and was unsure about how I felt in response. Now that I have read Allen’s post, sadly I am still unsure. I see both sides and I think I see them equally. However, I am moving to New York in less than two months to pursue a career in PR, so all advice is welcomed by me. Also, although there will likely be no agreement on this situation, it’s nice to see the reality that in this industry, people will not always agree, but it’s obvious from reading both people’s side that they both would want what’s best for whatever company they are working for.

]]> By: Ashley http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10393 Ashley Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:06:32 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10393 I also, don't think it's a bad idea for top c-level executives to blog, especially if it it kept light-hearted and used to maybe inform other employees of business going on in the company they would not be aware of otherwise. It could also be a great way for the company to get further involved. I, too, agree that it's the content that matters and the medium taken to share it should not matter. I also, don’t think it’s a bad idea for top c-level executives to blog, especially if it it kept light-hearted and used to maybe inform other employees of business going on in the company they would not be aware of otherwise. It could also be a great way for the company to get further involved. I, too, agree that it’s the content that matters and the medium taken to share it should not matter.

]]> By: Virginia http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10387 Virginia Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:44:38 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10387 While reading this post, I remembered coming along Bill Marriott's blog. Even though he might not address "the big issues" dealing with his company, he does make his blog fun and up-beat. I don't think it's a bad idea for top or c-level execs to blog, but I do think it is important for a company's PR people to go in and monitor what he or she is saying. Just to play it safe. While reading this post, I remembered coming along Bill Marriott’s blog. Even though he might not address “the big issues” dealing with his company, he does make his blog fun and up-beat.

I don’t think it’s a bad idea for top or c-level execs to blog, but I do think it is important for a company’s PR people to go in and monitor what he or she is saying. Just to play it safe.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10385 Stephanie Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:20:45 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10385 I appreciate reading both sides of the story. After Dee's post I thanked him for echoing many opinions that myself and my classmates' had. Blogging with caution is good advice. With that said I also understand Allan's point of view. Top executives aren't going to ask for permission to blog, and hopefully, if they are top executives, they are good communicators. I think one of the main points of Dee's post was that public image is essential. For individuals, small companies, and even larger ones, the way the public perceives your business is very important. I believe that top execs. will write if they want. I also believe that it should be something that is looked over once, maybe twice before actually being published on the Web. We all have moments of weakness, and as we have seen before, they can come back to haunt us. My main question from all of this is do you think there will be a huge difference in outcome, financially that is, if for instance Fortune 500 companies stop blogging? I appreciate reading both sides of the story. After Dee’s post I thanked him for echoing many opinions that myself and my classmates’ had. Blogging with caution is good advice. With that said I also understand Allan’s point of view. Top executives aren’t going to ask for permission to blog, and hopefully, if they are top executives, they are good communicators. I think one of the main points of Dee’s post was that public image is essential. For individuals, small companies, and even larger ones, the way the public perceives your business is very important.

I believe that top execs. will write if they want. I also believe that it should be something that is looked over once, maybe twice before actually being published on the Web. We all have moments of weakness, and as we have seen before, they can come back to haunt us.

My main question from all of this is do you think there will be a huge difference in outcome, financially that is, if for instance Fortune 500 companies stop blogging?

]]> By: Christopher http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10355 Christopher Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:48:39 +0000 http://www.marcomblog.com/2007/03/21/amplification-of-my-remarks-to-dee-rambeau-on-quitting-blogging/#comment-10355 Clearly none of the students in my class are professionals, myself included, but we do have a view that other people do not. This was an interesting post because I did not think about this side of the debate. I however, agree with Dee. It may have been an executive who started a company, but it is the smart executive who hires people to accomplish all of the creative aspects. I just cant see any top executive being in a place to properly speak on any other part of their company aside from their single position. Clearly none of the students in my class are professionals, myself included, but we do have a view that other people do not. This was an interesting post because I did not think about this side of the debate. I however, agree with Dee. It may have been an executive who started a company, but it is the smart executive who hires people to accomplish all of the creative aspects. I just cant see any top executive being in a place to properly speak on any other part of their company aside from their single position.

]]>