It's not every day that local news is so tightly linked with the subject matter of this blog, so I'm going to jump on this opportunity.
Although this is based on events in Midland, TX it could have happened and equally applies to business in Any Town, USA.
DISCLAIMER: I live in Odessa, not Midland. I'm not familiar with the specific criticisms being made against the MDC. I'm not for or against them. I'm purely interested in the angle of technology impacting business.
Enter The Drama
According to the website of the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) their goal is to foster & encourage a healthy business & employment environment.
Apparently not everyone thinks they are doing a good job. Are they? Well that is irrelevant to the point of this post.
The related issue is that some of those who disagree with the MDC are people who publish their thoughts to the world through a blog.
According to the article by Colin Guy at the Midland Reporter-Telegram today (Nov 17, 2007) , John Roberts of TIPS Strategies Inc., one of the consultants hired by the MDC to help them develop a "strategic plan" noted:
...companies and prospective employees considering relocating to Midland likely are to come across these blogs when researching the city online...
I couldn't agree more. If you are researching a potential relocation you are going to check the Internet. When the local Economic Development organization says "it's a great place", it's easy to dismiss it. After all, what town has an Economic Development organization that says "don't come here"? On the other hand, if locals are saying "there are serious problems" how will that impact your decision?
You will never be able to get rid of critics. And with the Internet, they now have a voice that is as loud, or louder, than your own. What's a town or business to do?
The Strategists' Proposed Solution
As I understood the article, Mr. Roberts proposed a two part solution:
1) Mr. Roberts said, "you need to be aware of these blogs".
2) The article also stated, "it is important for the MDC to be able to provide an alternative impression of itself and the community."
Seems like a great suggestion. Be aware of what is being said about you. Make sure that you are clearly communicating with your audience. In essence, be transparent and human. Let people know what you are doing. Have a conversation. Find out what others are thinking.
Beware Pre-Internet Thinking
Times have changed. It is important that we keep pace. For example, from the MRT article:
"I just think you have to be careful about spending a lot of time and resources on the vocal minority," MDC Chairman Jim Nelson said. "As the head of a company I'm not going to spend a lot of time on the 10 percent of employees you'll never make happy."
I understand what Mr. Nelson is saying, but I'm not so sure it applies equally in this context. In the real world, if 10 percent of your employees are complaining that is a concern because it can spread. However, as Mr. Nelson said, it is a minority and other employees are able to maintain that perspective as they make contact with the other 90 percent during the day.
On the other hand, that is not the case on the Internet. If the vocal minority are the only ones who are vocal - they make up 100 percent of the voice on the Internet. The individual or corporation researching Midland will hear a message loud and clear, and it will not be from the silent majority whether they are in fact pro-MDC or perhaps just indifferent.
Lessons To Be Learned
This isn't about the MDC or West Texas. This is about your business in the Internet Age. The Internet is about communication. Unlike costly mediums of yesteryear such as Television and Radio, anyone with a computer can freely publish as much as they wish on the Internet.
You as a business person need to keep an ear to the ground and know what is being said about your business. What's the buzz? Is it good? Is it bad? Or worse, is there none?
You as a business person need to communicate with your audience. The ease of communication enabled by the Internet has also increased expectations of communication.
What do you think?
Has your business used a blog to facilitate communication with your customers, community or audience? Has your business used a blog to successfully counter-balance criticism or negative publicity?
P.S. Please keep comments based on the technology angle invovled, and not the political elements of the topic. Thanks!!!
