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Well, I'm at lunch on the first day of my new seminar, "The Master Class of Employee Communications: 100 Great Ideas That Work."
We're kicking it off in Chicago this week . . . and it's a fantastic group. In fact, in all my years of doing seminars, this might be the most intelligent, and best looking, group I've ever had.
We just had some folks from McDonalds come in as guest speakers---Brian Kramer, Steve Finkelmeyer, and Lisa Grover, whom I just discovered carries the unofficial title, "Blog Czar."
Watching their presentation, you really feel hope for the future of technology in internal communications. I mean, these guys are good. Global customization, a great content management system . . . these guys are ahead of the curve.
While they were speaking, their COO was doing a live blog---fielding dozens of questions from around the globe. And according to Brian, the COO had a great line while he was announcing the live blog to a group of people at corporate headquarters:
"I'm going to be doing a live blog next week," he told the crowd. "If you don't know what a blog is, ask your kids."
This guy is also podcasting his regular sales message, and doing a regular blog that he updates about once a week.
"This guy wants to do all the latest things," Brian told the crowd. "We're lucky to have him."
Yes, indeed. In fact, McDonalds is rolling out a blog pilot program where other employees will be able to get their voice out there. It's in its infancy stages, but that doesn't scare these guys.
"Hey, it's a pilot program," Brian told us. "If it doesn't work perfectly, shame on us I guess. But we're going to try."
He also had some advice for getting this kind of program past Legal.
"Bring them into it early and often," he told us. "Make them feel a part of the process. The truth is, you probably have the policies in place already, if you have online communication policies. You just have to adapt them for blogs."
I have to head back down now. I'll post more later . . .
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Feels like Total Recall. Er, Philip K Dick?
Actually, with Steve's example it's a bit scary --- standing at the urinal...
Comments (8)
I'm attending Steve's master class, and it's packed with some great information. He had us do an exercise to come up with some ideas for categories that we could put in a special edition corporate publication. Some people in class shared really great ideas - like following the money flow through their company, or detailing the steps involved in an IT project.
Here are some that I came up with, most of which are specific to the company I work for.
- Opportunities for growth within the company - tell stories of employees who are moving up the corporate ladder (especially through the lower levels - that's where the majority of your audience probably lies)
- A day in the life of a restaurant manager (or any person in the "trenches" - I'm sure it will be drastically different than the life of a corporate employee)
- What are the outside impressions of the company? Sure, we hear what the financial analysts say, but what about the service in our restaurants? Where do we rank in the fast food chain with most normal people? Hey, fast food chain. That's pretty funny. In a clown sort of way.
- Innovative new products and procedures
- Competition - who is our competition and why? How do matters like obesity and the low carb craze factor in?
- Demos of food products from around the world
- Where some specific departments fit in our overall plan for success. Some departments have an obvious place. Others, not so much.
Great class so far. Can't wait for the second day.
Lisa
Posted by Lisa Grover | October 13, 2005 6:24 PM
Posted on October 13, 2005 18:24
Lisa . . . yes! Thank you for posting. I can't wait for other folks to get out here and start sharing ideas.
I just had two martinis with your colleague Brian . . . and now I'm going to bed. Tomorrow will be fun!
Don't forget . . . it's Casual Friday, so it's okay to wear jeans. I will.
Steve
Posted by Steve C. | October 13, 2005 7:19 PM
Posted on October 13, 2005 19:19
I'll have my jeans ironed and ready to go. What ?
Did Brian say anything about synergy even after a couple drinks? Kidding, Brian. Almost entirely kidding.
Posted by Lisa Grover | October 13, 2005 8:04 PM
Posted on October 13, 2005 20:04
Hi Steve,
Thanks for offering McDonald's the opportunity to share some of our web communcations practices with you and the Masters Class participants. What a great group of attendees! Great discussion, dialogue, and so many awesome ideas shared and generated. Now we need to just start implementing those ideas!
Hope the road trip continues to be successful as you head west!
Brian
Posted by Brian Kramer | October 14, 2005 10:03 AM
Posted on October 14, 2005 10:03
Hi Steve,
I love your blog! I'm writing The Corporate Blogging Book for Penguin Portfolio and looking for more good examples of "internal" corporate blogs. Was fascinated to run across your account of COO Michael Roberts' blogging efforts. Can you give me contact info for Lisa and Brian? I'd love to speak with them briefly for the book. (Oh, and I'm on a tight deadline. Finishing the manuscript now!). http://www.TheCorporateBloggingBook.com Feel free to pass my info on to them. Phone: 202.364.5705 email: wordbiz @ gmail DOT com Thanks!
Posted by Debbie Weil | October 17, 2005 7:32 AM
Posted on October 17, 2005 07:32
i would like their contact info as well...i am banging the intranet blogging drum....more like banging my head against the wall...and am always on the lookout for great examples so i can say..."see. if they can do it, we can too!!!" or something along those lines....thanks
you have my email address...
Posted by jbr | October 17, 2005 2:21 PM
Posted on October 17, 2005 14:21
Lisa has a good idea when she suggests, "What are the outside impressions of the company?"
Check out our blog for just that: http://McChronicles.blogspot.com
Posted by McChronicles | October 19, 2005 6:07 PM
Posted on October 19, 2005 18:07
A 25-year McDonald's veteran with not just a couple children whom have frequented Mickey D's, but seven of the blessed wee-ones to ensure they get their dose of heritage and legend.
It's changed somehow. People (staffers) don't seem as willing to solve, assist, help the customer through the process. It's not about the "experience" of McDonald's; it's about pushing the customer in and pushing them through. We've sadly decreased our visits looking for the "user-friendly" meaning "friendly to users" stops.
I always thought the fruit parfait had a life, but I haven't seen anyone use that little dance that I do about it...maybe some day...
Posted by karleen savage | January 7, 2007 12:58 AM
Posted on January 7, 2007 00:58