Major technology companies such as Microsoft and IBM are endorsing blogging as a means of enhancing companies' communications channels while at the same time eyeing them as potential profit-boosters. At a recent conference held at the University of California Berkeley's Haas Business School, IBM Almaden Research Center director James Spohrer outlined his company's plans for integrating blogging into its employee communication strategies: "It's about decreasing social space between employees, and increasing the amount of knowledge shared between people." An example might contain some of an individual's educational background and work experience, as well as information on product development strategies that colleagues and customers can access around the clock. This sharing of information could spur feedback on efforts to produce new products and improve business processes, said Spohrer. Meanwhile, some analysts are looking at the marketing potential inherent in blogging. "Blogs are a way to put a human face on the company," because of the continuous interaction and relationships that employees can develop with blog-readers, says Forrester Research analyst Charlene Li. (Reuters 31 Jul 2004) [NewsScan Daily 2 August 2004]
posted by Marcus Zillman |
4:25 AM
