Comments on: Living transparency – Chris Clarke’s first day http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/ Exploring social media and public relations Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:01:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Joseph Thornley http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2144 Joseph Thornley Mon, 12 Jun 2006 04:36:06 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2144 Hey Sean, Mom would've been proud! Hey Sean,
Mom would’ve been proud!

]]> By: Sean Reid http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2143 Sean Reid Mon, 12 Jun 2006 03:05:04 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2143 I'm a blogging novice but an avid reader of blogs across every subject matter and domain, corporate or otherwise. It seems to me that even though blgging is an amazing new media that opens up great new horizons for communication and transparency, that is not a license to throw out centuries-old principles of inter-personal commmon sense. As far as I can tell, Mom's guidance re "If you can't say anything nice (or at least constructive), don't say anything at all." and "Think before you speak." still apply in the blogosphere. Just because we are using a keyboard to get our ideas across does give us a free pass to post any old "brain fart" that comes to mind... "Blog Smart" and "Cause no harm to any person" seem like pretty reasonable and sensible guidelines for any blog, corporate or otherwise... I’m a blogging novice but an avid reader of blogs across every subject matter and domain, corporate or otherwise. It seems to me that even though blgging is an amazing new media that opens up great new horizons for communication and transparency, that is not a license to throw out centuries-old principles of inter-personal commmon sense.

As far as I can tell, Mom’s guidance re “If you can’t say anything nice (or at least constructive), don’t say anything at all.” and “Think before you speak.” still apply in the blogosphere. Just because we are using a keyboard to get our ideas across does give us a free pass to post any old “brain fart” that comes to mind…

“Blog Smart” and “Cause no harm to any person” seem like pretty reasonable and sensible guidelines for any blog, corporate or otherwise…

]]> By: Joseph Thornley http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2071 Joseph Thornley Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:44:57 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2071 Hi David, I don't think it's a question of "enforcement." Social media is about persuasion not control. I frankly feel that "cause no harm" is a no-brainer. Yes, you are right, we can give offence unintentionally. And when we do, it will be pointed out to us and we can address it forthrightly. I sure hope that Chris does not pull back from honest and open communication. I think that we can be worth reading by being thoughtful and having something to say. All without causing harm. These are early days. And we're all getting experience. I think the very fact that this post has prompted a further conversation is positive. Hi David,
I don’t think it’s a question of “enforcement.” Social media is about persuasion not control. I frankly feel that “cause no harm” is a no-brainer. Yes, you are right, we can give offence unintentionally. And when we do, it will be pointed out to us and we can address it forthrightly.
I sure hope that Chris does not pull back from honest and open communication. I think that we can be worth reading by being thoughtful and having something to say. All without causing harm.
These are early days. And we’re all getting experience. I think the very fact that this post has prompted a further conversation is positive.

]]> By: David Jones http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2069 David Jones Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:12:05 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2069 "cause no harm" is an interesting notion. I'm not sure how enforceable it is though. What I may read and think nothing of, another may read and see harm done. Intent or ignorance doesn't really matter. We've all caused harm with what we've said or written without actually meaning to. Part of me thinks we should just put our thoughts out there, defend if necessary, clarify if needed, apologize if required. Another part of me thinks we should think hard about potential interpretations or damage done to a company, client, employer, individual, etc. each time we write something. Is there a way to mix both and still be worth reading? If Chris is certain he wants to relate his on-the-job experiences as a new member of a PR firm that embraces social media, the expectation will be that he is honest and transparent and that the company will indulge him. If he falls into new-guy mode and keeps his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open, then he may be just as likely to damage TFC's or Student PR's credibility. Maybe Chris can re-name his blog Catch-22? “cause no harm” is an interesting notion. I’m not sure how enforceable it is though. What I may read and think nothing of, another may read and see harm done. Intent or ignorance doesn’t really matter. We’ve all caused harm with what we’ve said or written without actually meaning to.

Part of me thinks we should just put our thoughts out there, defend if necessary, clarify if needed, apologize if required.

Another part of me thinks we should think hard about potential interpretations or damage done to a company, client, employer, individual, etc. each time we write something.

Is there a way to mix both and still be worth reading?

If Chris is certain he wants to relate his on-the-job experiences as a new member of a PR firm that embraces social media, the expectation will be that he is honest and transparent and that the company will indulge him.

If he falls into new-guy mode and keeps his mouth shut and his eyes and ears open, then he may be just as likely to damage TFC’s or Student PR’s credibility.

Maybe Chris can re-name his blog Catch-22?

]]> By: Joseph Thornley http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2068 Joseph Thornley Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:36:46 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2068 Hi Zoey, We're all figuring this out as we go along. That's one of the things that makes it so exciting. And for me, all experience is positive. So long as we use it to learn. And I hope I'm learning... Hi Zoey,
We’re all figuring this out as we go along. That’s one of the things that makes it so exciting. And for me, all experience is positive. So long as we use it to learn. And I hope I’m learning…

]]> By: Zoey Castelino http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 Zoey Castelino Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:31:31 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2067 Hi Joe, Great topic and a great example. Blogging gives everyone the freedom, but we have to remember there are others out there too. Much like in the media, there must be respect! -Zoey Hi Joe,

Great topic and a great example. Blogging gives everyone the freedom, but we have to remember there are others out there too. Much like in the media, there must be respect!

-Zoey

]]> By: Joseph Thornley http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2066 Joseph Thornley Wed, 07 Jun 2006 13:11:25 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2066 Hi Ed, When I was a kid, I grew up in a relatively small community. My family knew everything about our neighbours. Our neighbours knew everything about us. And we watched out for one another. It was a good and warm place. Now, I live and work in a larger city. It is anonymous. People avoid eye contact on the street and in elevators. Communications has become too much like the big city. We communicate, but we don't really know our audiences. Blogging is like a return to the small town. And that return to familiarity and the intimacy of really knowing things about being - and being known - can be intimidating. But, it sure feels good once you're there. Hi Ed,
When I was a kid, I grew up in a relatively small community. My family knew everything about our neighbours. Our neighbours knew everything about us. And we watched out for one another. It was a good and warm place.
Now, I live and work in a larger city. It is anonymous. People avoid eye contact on the street and in elevators.
Communications has become too much like the big city. We communicate, but we don’t really know our audiences.
Blogging is like a return to the small town. And that return to familiarity and the intimacy of really knowing things about being – and being known – can be intimidating. But, it sure feels good once you’re there.

]]> By: Ed Lee http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-2065 Ed Lee Wed, 07 Jun 2006 12:55:41 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-2065 Great post, and an example of really smart, thought leadership in blogging. I think that as an independent agency where the founders are still driving the company it suits Thornley Fallis to have a very short blogging policy. It promotes openess, transparency and conversation. Everything that blogging is about. The problem is when you get to a larger, more fragmented company (and I'm not just talking about PR) when no-control communications isn't just scary, it's downright terrifying. Kudos to you and Terry for keeping it as simple as possible but the fact that even you guys are thinking of changing your policy shows the enormous amount of work we have to convince our clients that blogging can be open, honest and at times, confidential. But I'm going to try to blog smarter as well. Ed Great post, and an example of really smart, thought leadership in blogging. I think that as an independent agency where the founders are still driving the company it suits Thornley Fallis to have a very short blogging policy.

It promotes openess, transparency and conversation. Everything that blogging is about. The problem is when you get to a larger, more fragmented company (and I’m not just talking about PR) when no-control communications isn’t just scary, it’s downright terrifying.

Kudos to you and Terry for keeping it as simple as possible but the fact that even you guys are thinking of changing your policy shows the enormous amount of work we have to convince our clients that blogging can be open, honest and at times, confidential.

But I’m going to try to blog smarter as well.

Ed

]]> By: Student PR Blog: Chris Clarke's Perspective on Public Relations and Online Communications http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-1996 Student PR Blog: Chris Clarke's Perspective on Public Relations and Online Communications Wed, 07 Jun 2006 02:54:44 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-1996 <strong>Beyond “Blog Smart”...</strong> My boss at Thornley Fallis Joe Thornley had some kind words for me on his blog today. While he’s away at the IABC International Conference in Vancouver, I had my first day of work yesterday (and today was my second day, and it went very well). He... Beyond “Blog Smart”…

My boss at Thornley Fallis Joe Thornley had some kind words for me on his blog today. While he’s away at the IABC International Conference in Vancouver, I had my first day of work yesterday (and today was my second day, and it went very well).
He…

]]> By: Chris Clarke http://propr.ca/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/comment-page-1/#comment-1995 Chris Clarke Wed, 07 Jun 2006 02:17:37 +0000 http://www.propr.ca/index.php/2006/living-transparency-chris-clarkes-first-day/#comment-1995 Joe: first, thanks for the encouraging comments. I appreciate the support! I think you're more than OK after my first (now second) day. I couldn't ask for more support or encouragement. One thing I'm having trouble with is knowing my limits in terms of my knowledge and my abilities. While I feel like I don't know very much (there is a lot to learn), I'm willing to give anything a try. With that in mind, there isn't a lot I can just fool around with either. I just have to be patient and know that it will all come with time. You're on point in saying “Blog smart. Cause no harm to any person.” Posting about my first day was a good idea, but I understand that I have to be more cautious about what I say and how I say it. Like everyone, I'm still learning about how the impact of the blogosphere, so I'll call the post about my first day "a learning experience" and be more mindful in the future. I'm sure you'll be quick to read this comment - you've been a busy blogger the past couple of days! Great job on blogging the conference. It's a valuable resource for everyone who did and did not attend the conference. And congrats on your shout-out on FIR as well! Joe: first, thanks for the encouraging comments. I appreciate the support!

I think you’re more than OK after my first (now second) day. I couldn’t ask for more support or encouragement.

One thing I’m having trouble with is knowing my limits in terms of my knowledge and my abilities. While I feel like I don’t know very much (there is a lot to learn), I’m willing to give anything a try. With that in mind, there isn’t a lot I can just fool around with either. I just have to be patient and know that it will all come with time.

You’re on point in saying “Blog smart. Cause no harm to any person.” Posting about my first day was a good idea, but I understand that I have to be more cautious about what I say and how I say it. Like everyone, I’m still learning about how the impact of the blogosphere, so I’ll call the post about my first day “a learning experience” and be more mindful in the future.

I’m sure you’ll be quick to read this comment – you’ve been a busy blogger the past couple of days! Great job on blogging the conference. It’s a valuable resource for everyone who did and did not attend the conference. And congrats on your shout-out on FIR as well!

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