Ponderings and Wanderings

Many companies setup up a corporate blog to release news, announcements, press releases and other information in a fairly straight forward and factual manner.  This is indeed a fabulous use of blogging technology to take advantage of RSS, subscriptions, tags, comments and other features to distribute the content and encourage conversations.  However, I have found the companies whose blogs contain such content are usually disappointed as to the reaction, acceptance and conversations sparked by their efforts.   Such companies should not be surprised at the sometimes lackluster performance of such efforts.  While they are using a new vehicle, they have not changed the content that is being delivered to appeal to the expectations of most blog readers.   No doubt, this format will attract those who have always been interested in the company’s news.  However, such efforts rarely attract new vibrant discussions with a community of new contacts.  To prompt the two-way dialogs with new people companies have to step beyond their comfort zones and not just present information in a new and attractive manner, but more to deliver new insights in a personal and engaging manner.  Sometimes the substance of the information may be exactly the same.  It is the relaying of the information in a manner more like a discussion prompted by an individual that promotes interest and participation.   Yes, companies may need to start with a more traditional model.  Then if they truly desire a two-way conversation they will have to rapidly move towards a less formal blog model.

The latest email from the Ragan Global Report had a link to an excellent posting from Steve Rubel’s Micro Persuasion on why broadcast journalists do not use or even know the benefits of RSS. Steve points out that the broadcast media outlets are tied to airing stories covered earlier in the day by traditional print outlets.

It appears that given the pressure of the immediacies of TV and radio journalism that they just do not have the bandwidth to monitor the newer non-traditional media sources

We should expect this attention to RSS will grow as the NYT and other outlets send news earlier to their subscribers via RSS. This will enable these journalists and their producers to become comfortable with the technology and increase their awareness of the importance of the non-traditional journalist. Broadcast will then understand very quickly how bloggers and other non-traditional outlets are increasing leading the news wave as the source for traditional journalists.

For years I used the Gillette Trac II and was happy with the shave. Of course, when the three blade systems came out I blindly upgraded to the Sensor / Sensor Excel. Well, recently I figured why am I paying close to $1.25 per cartridge just for an extra little blade that might not do anything.

So, a few months back I picked up some no name brand Trac II cartridges. At less than $0.25 per cartidge this works out to be a deal. Of course, when I looked I found I had thrown out those three or four Trac II handles I had been holding onto. Then no matter what store I went to I could not find a handle. They are not even for sale on the P&G store. They are clearly off the market to prevent what I am attempting to do.

Finally, I found a handle now marketed under specialty packaging for “African-amercan sensitive skin.” The blades are some strange design, but the handle matches that for the Trac II blade.

End result — the Trac II actually provdes a closer and smooter shave than the three balde Sensor Excel. Not only am I getting a better shave, but I am saving some $50 a year. Not much you say, but it is enough to pay for my Web hosting.