Kento's Blog

BBC Blog Policy
Sun Microsystems Blog Policy
IBM Blog Policy

These are three distinctly different companies I found with blog policies. All three companies allowed blogging, but each had a slightly different stance on how to blog.

IBM encouraged its employees to blog. On their policy is a list of things each employee must consider before actively blogging. They state early on that blogging is about personal interaction and not cooperate. In addition when one blogs about that company it is important the person states they are not speaking on behalf of IBM as a company. Also of course IBM does not and confidential information posted on a blog and encourages asking before posting. The policy closes up with encouraging to blog with using good language and citing only those who grant permission.

Sun too encourages their employees to get involved in the world by blogging. They ask employees to develop well-written posts that help reach their audiences. This also involves using negative language. Instead of a straightforward anger statement, one can express their feelings but posting a less offensive statement. Sun also wants employees not to share important company information while posting.

The BBC is indifferent to people blogging or not. Instead, the guidelines are laid down for those who decide to do so. If a blogger states they are from the BBC, they are expected to handle themselves well. They are fine as well with bloggers promoting the BBC, as long as they too do not post confidential company information. Unlike the other blogs, the BBC requires an employee to report a good deal of information to a manager: If they have a personal blog, if someone wants to start blogging, and if someone wants to pay an employee to blog. The first two kind of make sense, but I am a bit confused by the last part. The guidelines state:

If someone offers to pay you for blogging this could constitute a conflict of interest and you must consult your manager.

Overall the policies made practical sense in a way that kept employees involved yet also smart about blogging. Too much control or too little control is where blogging can get a bit chaotic. A happy medium seems to make the most sense.