Blogging Policies
June 5, 2005 by admin
As more and more individuals blog about just about everything — including their work lives — organizations will be establishing policies that describe what they consider acceptable blogging practices.
In mid-May, IBM issued a corporate blogging policy. Notable in their policy is that IBM is encouraging IBMers to blog. There are some limits, of course. Much of the policy is really about clarity that individuals do not speak for the organization, and about clarity that bloggers should not reveal confidential or proprietary information.
While these principles may sound simple, organizations will save a lot of time and trouble later by developing and publishing blogging policies for staff members.
Notable also in IBM’s policy statement is the way it was developed: with interactive, online development (via a wiki). It didn’t just come from the top down — it involved some of the people who have already been thinking about and experimenting with this use of technology. Other organizations should take note, and not simply impose a policy without some input and creativity. Participation will make sure that the already-developed technology culture of the organization is reflected in the guidelines, and participation will also make sure that common questions within the organization are answered.
Useful links on this topic:
- IBM blogging policies and guidelines (or download PDF version)
- Charlene Li on corporate blogging policies
- About Microsoft’s blogging policies – from Debbie Weil, BlogWrite for CEOs