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Microsoft, Blogging & Culture / Change Management

January 25, 2005 in Main Page | No comments

I’m becoming more and more convinced that Microsoft is becoming a real leader in terms of big corporations using blogs to connect and iinteract .. with customers and (I assume employees).

Here at the Blog Business summit I’m now watching Lenn Pryor on stage presenting about blogging in Microsoft (he’s Robert Scoble’s boss … Scoble is sitting two chairs over in this row, listening to Lenn).

Lenn said about 5 minutes ago that he can’t understand how a company today can continue without blogging … it’s simply the most effective way to open an ongoing dialogue with existing and potential customers and other stakeholders.

Lenn’s currently saying “Be Smart - we hire smart, responsible adults, and we expect them to act like smart responsible adults”. And, in the employment agreement there are appropriate confidentiality agreemnts.

He goes on to say “Don’t Break News” (regardless of 1st Amendment Rights ;-)
Additional points regarding guidleines to Microsoft employees who blog:

- Corporate communications and blogging are two different things, BUT they are complementary … make friends.

- Be cautious with 3rd party information.

- Respect prior employers

- Identify yourself

- Be cautious in how you offer support or advice

- Speak for yourself

- Think about reactions before you hit “post”