Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

Corporate Blogging

A corporate weblog is published and used by an organization to reach its organizational goals. The advantage of blogs is that posts and comments are easy to reach and follow due to centralized hosting and generally structured conversation threads. Currently, all major browsers (including Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer 7) support RSS technology, which enables readers to easily read recent posts without actually visiting the blog, which is very useful for low-volume blogs.

Although there are many different types of corporate blogs, most can be categorized as either external or internal.

Internal :

An internal blog, generally accessed through the corporation's Intranet, is a weblog that any employee can view. Many blogs are also communal, allowing anyone to post to them. The informal nature of blogs may encourage:
employee participation
free discussion of issues

External:

An external blog is a publicly available weblog where company employees, teams, or spokespersons share their views. It is often used to announce new products and services (or the end of old products), to explain and clarify policies, or to react on public criticism on certain issues. It also allows a window to the company culture and is often treated more informally than traditional press releases, though a corporate blog often tries to accomplish similar goals as press releases do. In some corporate blogs, all posts go through a review before they're posted. Some corporate blogs, but not all, allow comments to be made to the posts.

The advantages of blogs from an organizational perspective include the following:

• The consumer and citizen are potentially better informed and this can only be good for the long-term health of our societies and economies.


• Blogs have potential to help the organization develop stronger relationships and brand loyalty with its customers, as they interact with the ‘human face’ of the organization through blogs.


• Blogs, in an intranet environment, can be an excellent way of sharing knowledge within the organization.


• Blogs can be a positive way of getting feedback, and keeping your finger on the pulse, as readers react to certain pieces, suggest story ideas, etc.


• Blogs can build the profile of the writer, showcasing the organization as having talent and expertise.

The disadvantages of blogs are:

1. Most people don’t have very much to say that’s interesting, and/or are unable to write down their ideas in a compelling and clear manner.


2. I have often found that the people who have most time to write have least to say, and the people who have most to say don’t have enough time to write it. Thus, the real expertise within the organization lays hidden, as you get drowned in trivia.


3. Like practically everything else on the Web, blogs are easy to start and hard to maintain. Writing coherently is one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks for a human being to undertake. So, far from blogs being a cheap strategy, they are a very expensive one, in that they eat up time. As a result, many blogs are not updated, thus damaging rather than enhancing the reputation of the organization.


4. Organizations are not democracies. The Web makes many organizations look like disorganizations, with multiple tones and opinions. Contrary to what some might think, the average customer prefers it if the organization they are about to purchase from is at least somewhat coherent.

Pros and Cons of the Corporate Blog

Pros
- Dialogue with consumers

- Regular turnover of content to give consumers reason to return

- Seen to be embracing Web 2.0- Search engine visibility

- Requires little budget input

Cons
- Time consuming activity, keeping content fresh and updated

- Legal minefield, privacy concerns

- Lack of control vs. over-moderation

- Sourcing relevant “voice”/blogger

- Hard to measure ROI

References:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Corporate Blogging

• http://info.shine.com/Career-Advice-Articles/Career-Building/5-advantages-of-corporat
• -blogging/1682/cid28.aspx
• http://ourecommerze.blogspot.com/2008/07/advantages-and-disadvantages-of.html
• http://www.enterpriseblogs.info/corporate-blogging/advantages
• http://www.barefeetstudios.com/media/pdf/barefeet-blog-for-biz.pdf
• http://www.backbonemedia.com/blogsurvey/23-advantages-corporate-blog.htm

Pros and Cons of the corporate blogging

• http://www.corporateblogging.info/2005/11/pros-and-cons-of-author-blogs.asp
• http://agwired.com/2005/02/26/pros-and-cons-of-corporate-blogging/
• http://www.helium.com/items/254062-the-pros-and-cons-of-corporate-blogging
• http://www.publish.com/c/a/Online-Media/Panel-Sees-Pros-and-Cons-to-Corporate-Blogs/
• http://www.morebusiness.com/corporate-blogging

Top 15 of the Corporate Blogging

Review of "how to lose your ID easily to Frauster at home"

Based on the post of “how to lose your ID easily to Fraudster at Home”, we can see that there are many computer users like to store their private data into electronic form.

The issue we concern about is whether the private data are filed or destroyed properly in the computers. As what the post has mentioned, the research already proved that a lot of private information could be found in the computer rubbish bins easily such as bank account details, passport information, credit cards details and etc. Many people use to put the documents that consist of such information into rubbish bin without delete them permanently. Some people think that such information is not confidential and important therefore they do not take further effort to keep or destroy the documents properly. However, it might be very useful for fraudsters. For example, IC number might be seemed very usual in your eyes, but the fraudsters might use your IC number to do illegal things, and the trouble will come after you.

Furthermore, people like to use their IC, date of birthday as their bank account passwords, so such information might not be deleted and still remain in the computers. Consequently, fraudster might through illegal ways to steal the information from the computers and get access to the bank account of owners for illegal transfer of moneys.

Usually, fraudster will hack the computers to steal the private information without your notice. Some fraudsters might directly steal the information from your computers when you are away with your computer. Normally, it is done by the person who you trust such as your friends. Such actions are illegal.

As a conclusion, the owners are advised not to retain the confidential information in the computers to prevent loss of confidential information.

Review a local, transactional e-commerce site

There are many e-commerce site that have been developed nowadays due to its convenience and cost savings. The e-commerce site that we review this week is www.jojoboutique.net. It is an online apparel boutique that sell girl's cloths, accessories and others. The products have been categorized by type to let the purchasers to go directly to the specific product they want.

This particular e-commerce site has provide its user to purchase apparel online.This website has been recognized by shop2u, which is an experienced online retailer who gives recognition to online sellers' identity. The product is shown by clear image and it can be zoomed in for larger image for online purchaser to have a clearer picture for the product. There is some links on the top of the web page to which encourage easy navigation from this page to another. The links gives more information to purchasers such as payment method, and other services to support the online purchase.The website provide the contact number, msn and e-mail address of the owner to let the purchaser to contact directly to the owner. Other than that, there is search engine in the left hand side of the web page.The function of search engine is to let the purchaser to find what they want in the web page.

The purchaser can choose their product by clicking once to the image of the product. If the purchaser have chosen the product they want, they can put into shopping cart. Shopping cart is like a trolly in off-line transaction. When the purchaser have all its needed product in the shopping cart, he can make payment for his products. The payment method for this site is by transfering money into the owner's account which has clearly stated in payment method.

However, the download speed for this site is quite slow, sometimes can't be connected. Besides, the website is just for its own member, outsider is not allowed to buy product on this site. Therefore, purchasers have to registered as member first to make online purchase there. All the information needed to become a member is quite private and personal, therefore, online security for this website is particularly important. Other than that, the website is using chinese as word to communicate with purchaser. It makes non-chinese purchaser extremely hard to use the site for online purchasing.

Review a local, transactional e-commerce site

There are more and more e-commerce site

Discussion on E-learning Offered in Malaysian Universities: Pros & Cons

Electronic learning or E-Learning is the used of technology to support the learning process. There are significant numbers on Malaysian Universities has been implementing e-learning in order to provide their student with a more flexible and convenient learning method. Below is some discussion about the pros and cons of e-learning from student perspective.

Pros:

1. More Flexible

The used of e-learning facilitates students to attend their courses via internet and also allows them to post any questions about their courses in everywhere and any time. The study hours is much more flexible as compared to study at campus where schedule has been set by the university.

2. Cost Saving

Students can cut down their expenses if studying online because they can save from cost of traveling, accommodation as well as foods. They can pursue their courses in home rather than go campus that is far from their home.

3. Wider scope of knowledge

Another benefit of e-learning is it allows the large amount of information and knowledge available for their students. Students who attend 2 hours lecturer in classroom can only obtained little amount information but study online will be more flexible and student can obtain more knowledge as online courses is available for 24 hours.

4. Better interaction with lecturers

Most students have found that e-learning can improve their interaction with their lecturers. Students can email question to their respective lecturers or tutors about any queries of their subject more quickly. Lecturers and tutors will response more quickly via internet instead of making appointment with them during consultation hours.

Cons:

1. Lack of face to face communication

The used of e-learning has eliminated the importance of face to face communication between students and lectures. There will be lack of understanding from lecturers on their students need.

2. Lack of motivation

Students will be getting lazy with the used of e-learning as there is no fixed time for them to attend their courses. Therefore, they will become less motivated because courses is available 24 hours and most of them will delay their study time.

References:

http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid26_gci769787,00.html

http://www.articlealley.com/article_78603_45.html

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Touch’n Go

Touch’n Go card is an electronic purse that can be used at all highways in Malaysia. The credit card sized smartcard made of plastic with Philips’ MIFARE microchip technology embedded in it. Normally, Touch’n Go card can be used in major public transports in Klang Valley, selected parking sites and theme parks. The users can use the card as long as it is pre-loaded with electronic cash. The cash can be reloaded lots of places such as toll plazas, train stations, Automated Teller Machines, Cash Deposit Machines, Petrol kiosks and at authorized third outlets. A standard card can be purchased at the price of RM20. It consists of RM10 deposit value and RM10 usage amount. The cards may be reloaded from 10 denominations ranging from RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, RM150, RM200, RM250, RM300, RM400 and RM500. The minimum reload value for a credit card issued in Malaysia is RM100.

Touch'n Go
Maybank reload the Touch'n Go

Octopus Card

Octopus is an electronic payment system using a contactless smartcard. Octopus is a trademark of Octopus Cards Limited. In the beginning we aimed to develop a simple way to pay fares on public transport in Hong Kong. Then we extended our reach into simple micropayments for purchases in retail outlets and a simple way for cardholders to gain access to buildings and schools and to identify themselves. Today, over 2,000 service providers accept Octopus, and new uses are regularly being added. Octopus' success is important to Hong Kong people not only because it's part of everyday life - it's also made everyday life so much easier.
The Octopus card can be purchased from any public transportation company’s customer service centre such as MTR’s and KCR’s. When first purchasing the card, HK$50 is included as refundable deposit, and the remaining value will be stored in the card in the card for normal payments. The card separate for few types:
Adult: Deposit $50 + Stored Value $100 = Price HK$150
Child: Deposit $50 + Stored Value $20 = Price HK$70
Senior: Deposit $50 + Stored Value $20 = Price HK$70

Octopus card

HongKong Travel

Chicago Card

The Chicago Card and the Chicago Card Plus are contactless smart cards used by riders of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace to electronically pay for bus and train fares in the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA and the surrounding suburbs. The blue Chicago Card is a stored value card. Users add value to the card at CTA vending machines or at select retail locations, and turnstiles or fareboxes deduct value from the card. Users usually register cards with CTA and can receive a replacement in the event of theft, loss, or damage to the card. The blue-and-gold Chicago Card Plus is an account-based card. Users link the card to either a credit card, debit card, or employer-provided transit benefit program. The cards may be set up as monthly passes or on a pay-per-use basis. The account reloads from the linked source either when the monthly pass expires or when a user-defined threshold is passed as a pay-per-use card. Because of this direct link to personal accounts, all Chicago Card Pluses are registered to users. Both cards can be obtained for free from CTA's headquarters and website. Chicago Cards can also be obtained at retail outlets throughout Chicago.

Chicago Card

The application of pre-paid cash cash for consumer