Comments on: Personal Digital Covenant

By: QuiDiaz

QuiDiaz — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:35:11 +0000

Scott – you’re absolutely right. It’s not and never will be a silver bullet. Employees should be empowered to make their own (smart) choices about how they personally do/do not engage online. Empowered to do so in the first place – if they want – and not held back.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:34:21 +0000

Qui,

You sort of reiterated this already, but again and again I even catch myself having a solution without a problem. Facebook is a solution to, well, something, as is blogging and Twittering and so on. But what are we solving with those tools?

It’s great to encourage reticent members of the company to jump into the online fray, but its bad to lead them into think they’re a silver bullet.

Still, I’m printing this one out. Thanks for a thoughtful post.

By: Qui Diaz

Qui Diaz — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:21:44 +0000

Jen, surely I am not suggesting that anyone be forced to participate. But if they do, it’s okay for them to start off in areas that aren’t necessarily tied to mission. You have to get your feet wet somehow, right? It’s easier to start with something that matters personally to you. Should it be meaningful? If people want their personal brands to flourish, yes. And absolutely yes if you are mobilizing employees around an initiative related to your goals.

Hi Despi, thanks for stopping by. You guys are doing great work and it’s great that Beth Kanter has highlighted IMA so well. I am not suggesting required blogging goals by any means. It would be great if, like IMA, more groups embraced their employees’ personal interests in blogging (or message boards or social networks or other mediums). Nobodies forced to engage, but nobody is stifled either.

By: Despi

Despi — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:20:40 +0000

Yikes…required blogging goals? At IMA, that would never fly. There is a large contingent that is likely perplexed by the fact that we blog at all. It definitely isn’t for everyone, and that is part of what makes it good. It works for a particular audience, that seems to really enjoy reading what some engaged staff have to say about working at an art museum, or horticulture, or being obsessed with design…those of us who blog, love it, and support one another and become really interactive with our readers. it has become a really authentic form of communication that has transcended many other “strategies.”

By: Jen Zingsheim

Jen Zingsheim — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:59:37 +0000

Love the post and don’t have much to add, but I agree completely with Justin/Lauren that it has to be meaningful. And, employees must be interested in participating, or their contributions will seem hollow and forced, which of course they will be.

Also, I love the Gummi Bear photos!

Jen

By: Indianapolis Museum of Art » Blog Archive » Stick a fork in me…

Indianapolis Museum of Art » Blog Archive » Stick a fork in me… — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:57:27 +0000

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By: QuiDiaz

QuiDiaz — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:49:43 +0000

Thanks, Lindy – it really is about looking outside of the communications department on this, and it’s always been that way in terms of marcom efforts.

Justin, Lauren – Amen to meaningful, strategic online engagement. This post was intended to help the CCO/CMO get support/involvement from individuals, not the actual strategy. I think a lot of NON-marcom staff are not thinking, “how can I represent my company through Twitter today?” It’s a tough balance, asking people to consider using new tools as a means to elevate themselves, yes, but also their organization.

If folks are “out there,” then you can take the Big Strategy further. You’ll have more eyes and ears in more places, which ultimately can lead to additional reach. Teach them how to get in the boat before you give them a fishing pole.

By: Lauren Vargas

Lauren Vargas — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:19:48 +0000

I have to agree with Justin. My CMO required all people on MK staff to add blogging goals. The effect was a bunch of copy and paste to internal blog without any conversation or editorial. The employee foray into social media must be meaningful.

By: Justin Thorp

Justin Thorp — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:32:08 +0000

While I don’t disagree with the spirit of your post, it kind of sounds like your saying that blogging or using social media is an ends and not just a means to an ends.

Blogs, twitter, podcasting are all just tools. When I have someone say “I think I need to blog”, if they can’t answer why, then they shouldn’t start a blog.

I’d reword your quote at the top about the CCO’s responsibilities to say â€œLeadership in enabling the enterprise with the ability to meaningfully connect with its community of users”.

By: Lindy Dreyer

Lindy Dreyer — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:13:21 +0000

Wow! Thanks for quoting me. And you’re right–your community certainly includes your staff. In fact, it revolves around your staff who are the embodiment of your company.

That’s the hard part, isn’t it? The Indianapolis Museum of Art had the courage to let anyone, not just their trained communications team, have a public voice. Maybe you should add another bullet to the personal covenant. Something like this…

“I’ll share the stage.”