Jul
30
Why CEOs Don’t Blog?
Randall Stross from the New York Times asks, “All the Internet’s a Stage. Why Don’t C.E.O.s Use It?” He continues by suggesting that, “CHIEF executives are inclined to avoid activities generally deemed to be high-risk: Sky diving. Cliff jumping. Motorcycle racing. And blogging.” From our own experience it is rare that a busy CEO can be ‘THE’ voice of a company. Steve Rubel suggest that a CEO should only be one of the many voices heard from within a company. Scott Ryan, the CEO of one of our sister companies has a blog where you will rarely hear his voice. Why? He is busy talking to clients, prospects, managing people, holding meetings and so on. He clearly understands the value proposition, but he lacks the time to determine what to write about, much less the time to actually write. I think the main reason CEOs don’t blog is easy to figure out: CEOs ARE REALLY BUSY.
[...] The article points out that one of the main reasons executives don’t blog may be for the simple reason that executives generally don’t write their own public speeches. This likely leads to an uncomfortable scenario in which an executive may not be well prepared for the type of public exposure given to “important” bloggers. However, the example of Mr. Schwartz, CEO of SUN provides a case study of succesful blogging in a leadership position. Another obvious reason, as pointed out by weblogs work is that CEOs simply don’t have time to blog. [...]
Pingback by Bistec » Executive Blogging — July 30, 2006 @ 10:57 am
[...] The article points out that one of the main reasons executives don’t blog may be for the simple reason that executives generally don’t write their own public speeches. This likely leads to an uncomfortable scenario in which an executive may not be well prepared for the type of public exposure given to “important” bloggers. However, the example of Mr. Schwartz, CEO of SUN provides a case study of succesful blogging in a leadership position. Another obvious reason, as pointed out by weblogs work is that CEOs simply don’t have time to blog. [...]
Pingback by Bistec » Executive Blogging — July 30, 2006 @ 10:57 am
As a CEO blogger (and yes, my company is public, milti Billion $ in sales), I think most CEOs have not figured out the value proposition for them. The return for their time. You correctly identify that CEO’s lack time but they also find time to do what they think is important. Blogging just does not hit the list for most yet.
My view is those who have figured it out gain a comptetitive advantage.
Comment by Jim Estill — July 30, 2006 @ 6:49 pm
As a CEO blogger (and yes, my company is public, milti Billion $ in sales), I think most CEOs have not figured out the value proposition for them. The return for their time. You correctly identify that CEO’s lack time but they also find time to do what they think is important. Blogging just does not hit the list for most yet.
My view is those who have figured it out gain a comptetitive advantage.
Comment by Jim Estill — July 30, 2006 @ 6:49 pm
[...] Why CEOs Don’t Blog – a response to Randall Stross at the New York Times. [...]
Pingback by Texas Startup Blog: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Texas » Blog Archive » Flickr, Upcoming & Katrina — July 31, 2006 @ 9:43 pm
[...] Why CEOs Don’t Blog – a response to Randall Stross at the New York Times. [...]
Pingback by Texas Startup Blog: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Texas » Blog Archive » Flickr, Upcoming & Katrina — July 31, 2006 @ 9:43 pm