Hi,

See my bullet by bullet counter opinion on the original article at Strategic Board Blog

Thanks,
Dudu

While I like to advocate for the use of blogs by business, I must say this chap has presented a well-crafted argument.

I especially like this bit, "The blogging phenomenon has been mostly about grass-roots politics and activism. Yet, a large amount of the hype from a growing movement of self-interested bloggers would have you believe that business will not survive if it doesn’t get blogging and change its ways of marketing for good."

I find the Cluetrain insightful and useful, but the preponderance of holier-than-thou sermons from its most notable champions tends to get old in a hurry.

"Business" generally is scared of the truth, and therefore much more comfortable trying to control the message. Yes, customers now have a say, thanks to blogs, but that does not mean marketers are ready to say, "Uncle," and forgo traditional ad speak for the community free for all. This type of systemic change takes time and a little patience and common sense will not hurt the cause.

Dudu: Thanks for the link!

David: Thanks for the comment. I get that exaggerated claims about revolution can be a bit much.

But I think to point vaguely at hordes of the holier than thou can be a distraction. A distraction from some basic observable information about the fast growth of blogs, and the clear instances where companies have been affected by blogging, for good or ill - from Kryptonite on the downside, to Microsoft of Stonyfield Farms on the up.

Like I always say:

Business is nothing but people. Unfortunately, business thinks it knows better.