Another followup to McDonalds's blog eDrama ...

Jim from One by One Media called me out in my last posting about not entering the conversation.  Fair enough.  I certainly didn't address all his points in my post.  So ... I took him seriously and commented over on his blog.  I'm reposting those comments here because sometimes it is hard to follow all the comment threads.  This is why I'm a fan of trackbacks.

Hi, Jim ...

So, a couple of things ...

I apologize for calling you an A-Lister. :-)

I actually don't take issue with Shel's advice.  I think for the most part it is sound.  The degree to which McDonald's can comply is something I am concerned about.  Bob may not be able to "drop the corpspeak".

I also have concerns about the blanket advice "Start a conversation with your customers".  Frankly, I think there are some customers that a business might not want to have a conversation with.  Not all people have a transparent agenda or want to engage in *authentic* dialogue.  I feel that McDonald's should be able to make a call about which conversations they start *and* which they respond to.  Resources are limited.  This is also why I support moderated comments.  McDonald's blog is, first and foremost, *McDonald's* blog.  We don't all get free reign there.

I don't know if I agree with your comment, "Before you swim make sure you can jump."  I think companies need to jump, sink or swim, into the blogosphere NOW.  And as I said, they're not going to get it right the first, or second, or third.  And I don't have a problem with people constructively criticising them (heaven knows, McDonald's doesn't need me defending them); I take issue with the tone.  I don't think their attempt was "feeble".  I think it is admirable.  And to admonish them to "Listen.  Really listen." as Shel did, I think smacks of patronization.

I do agree with Shel on his point about McDonald's starting to blog:  I don't think we should feel "honoured" by their presence in the blogosphere ... but I think we could be nicer neighbours and offer a friendlier welcoming committee.

Jim, I will definitely take you up on your coffee offer.  Just let me get my saddle-shoes.