Many companies are using blogs to promote their product, some have been successful and some others have burnt their hands. The reason being that a blog once initiated, remains no longer in control of an individual person or a company. As opinions of visitors start pouring in, the blog develops an identity of its own.
Successful companies take a deft & ethical approach to the blog. Some ground rules: negative comments are to be thanked for as feedback on the blog, no comment should be deleted or rephrased. The company may contact the blogger and request him to moderate his comments if they are unduly harsh. Never try to rig the blog by faking the users and comments (known as flog), as the blogging community will realise it in no time and the negative news travels faster on internet. The negative publicity then gathered can permanently damage a company's reputation. There will be some blogs out there whose topic will be relavant to the company product. For instance a company launching a beauty product may find blogs on beauty tips. A company should visit such blogs and give relevant comments (as the company, no faking again) and leave their blog address for bloggers to click and follow to the company blog. Similar strategy may be followed with the experts on the said product line who maintain their blog. Taking the same example, blogging on the blog of a beauty expert will oblige him to reply and comment on the company blog.
A blog is very transparent world on internet and a honest, ethical and strategic approach can yield positve results at literally no marketing cost. One last comment, if the product itself is bad, dont blame the blogging community. Bad news travel faster and in no time the company will know that on its blog, much before the market research team informs the same.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Why Lehman Brothers & others fall
Lets keep aside the technical details of subprime crisis & investment decisions of Lehman Brothers, and think holistically as what caused fall of these giants & the financial crisis.
Was it greed & unethical practices? I thought we came of that age after the Enron, Tyco episodes and introduction of corporate governance.
Or was it policies of Bush Administration?
Or the fundamental financial structure was flawed, which happened to be hidden till now?
Or any other reason??
As the whole world gets sucked slowly into the crisis, with every single page of WSJ & Economic Times carrying the gloomy news, one is forced to think that whether this mess could have been avoided somehow?
Only after we answer the above questions, as what went wrong in holistic sense, then only we can go to next pertinent question, as how such avoidable crisis can be avoided in future?
Was it greed & unethical practices? I thought we came of that age after the Enron, Tyco episodes and introduction of corporate governance.
Or was it policies of Bush Administration?
Or the fundamental financial structure was flawed, which happened to be hidden till now?
Or any other reason??
As the whole world gets sucked slowly into the crisis, with every single page of WSJ & Economic Times carrying the gloomy news, one is forced to think that whether this mess could have been avoided somehow?
Only after we answer the above questions, as what went wrong in holistic sense, then only we can go to next pertinent question, as how such avoidable crisis can be avoided in future?
Suggestions for New Threads
If anyone wish to start a new thread on any meaningful topic, post your comment here. I will be very happy to start a new post on the suggested topic.
Looking forward to suggestions.
Looking forward to suggestions.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Renewable Energy Sector
I was surprised to notice that many of the MBA students here are looking forward to the career in Renewable energy sector. It is indeed a very welcome development. But why, has renewable energy sector caught their attention. Well, everyone here, after MBA wants to do something meaningful in his/her life. In today's world when everyone talks about global warming & oil crisis, its obvious to see the energy sector in a larger context as means to contribute to society & environment.
Also renewable energy sector is the one, which is growing in spite of energy crisis. This sector is still attracting the investment, making it a viable career path, in recent times of layoff. In the social responsibility forum, the companies representatives did tell that they are staffed with all young generation, and not much of the people are willing to join oil companies.
The present MBA batch mirrors the same sentiment. For many students here, going into energy sector is a career change. I hope that recruiters will not harp much on the relevant previous experience and give the chance to these motivated individuals.
Also renewable energy sector is the one, which is growing in spite of energy crisis. This sector is still attracting the investment, making it a viable career path, in recent times of layoff. In the social responsibility forum, the companies representatives did tell that they are staffed with all young generation, and not much of the people are willing to join oil companies.
The present MBA batch mirrors the same sentiment. For many students here, going into energy sector is a career change. I hope that recruiters will not harp much on the relevant previous experience and give the chance to these motivated individuals.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Social Responsibility Forum at IE
A Corporate Sustainiblity Forum was organised at Instituto de Empresa, Madrid. It was a great success. Many topics like social business, financing options, hybrid business models were also touched upon. Speakers from various companies like those in High-Tech industry, FMCG, Energy gave an overview of their efforts in direction of social responsibility, through their products.
The efforts in renewable energy sector was inspiring. These sessions saw a high attendance, as many students at IE look forward to career in renewable energy after their MBA. But what caught me by surprise was that even oil companies were already sensitised towards the looming oil crisis & were making investments in this sector.
There are many companies whose products do not lend them towards social responsibility, like companies making arms & ammunitions, cigarette making companies etc. How can these companies too like oil companies can contribute towards social responsibility??
The efforts in renewable energy sector was inspiring. These sessions saw a high attendance, as many students at IE look forward to career in renewable energy after their MBA. But what caught me by surprise was that even oil companies were already sensitised towards the looming oil crisis & were making investments in this sector.
There are many companies whose products do not lend them towards social responsibility, like companies making arms & ammunitions, cigarette making companies etc. How can these companies too like oil companies can contribute towards social responsibility??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)