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Microsoft is Serious About Blogging

(ARCHIVED IN: Weblogs and Business )

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working with the folks at Microsoft, like Bill Reid, Korby Parnell and Jonathan Grudin, to learn more about blogging at Microsoft for a related project at the company. Here are some of my broad observations:

• Microsoft is serious about blogging. They have support from the very top and the biggest reason for the support is the increasing value of transparency and putting a human face on Microsoft. See this video of Steve Ballmer.
• The demand comes from individuals. More than a couple of times, I’ve heard quotes from employees saying “I’m tired of Microsoft being called an evil empire”. Employees see blogging as a way to show Microsoft is a different and more human company.
• External blogs outnumber internal blogs 3-1, which is vastly different than other large companies that are blogging like Sun, IBM and Intel. Why? See point #2 above.
• Blogging at Microsoft is very hands off. The biggest policy is “Don’t be Stupid” and the PR and Legal teams have adopted a very open and supportive approach to blogging.