31.03.07 (SMZ) - WHEN EMPLOYEES BECOME CORPORATE COMMUNICATION...

The expression "Web 2.0" is used to describe the concept of user-generated content on the Internet. Content like text, pictures, and video, generated by individuals is welcome on message boards, on websites like YouTube, MySpace and in private blogs.

But what happens in a case where the CEO is filmed in a company meeting and the content is published world-wide on YouTube by an anonymous employee with his phone camera? Or, if frustrated employees discuss the CEO's performance publicly and in detail?

Do we have to prepare for the day where we must live with 'intranet 2.0'? Isn't it worth thinking about a new type of Intranet where employees would be much more involved in creating and publishing corporate content than before? They might use an internal platform to discuss company strategy, the CEOs performance and be corrected or better informed by their Head of Corporate Communications or CEOs themselves before they publish their thoughts externally. In the end we might extend the concept of "YouTube" into "MyCorporateSpace" where the employee invites his CEO to talk to him on video or where the user subscribes information that the corporation has posted on the intranet. The employee has taken over...but in a positive way.

01.10.06 (smz) - HOW CEOS COMMUNICATE IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

"Do you believe that Zetsche did no know about the coming losses at Chrysler when he took over as CEO? Do you think that Kleinfeld [Siemens] has a clean track record in the BenQ case? Who has paid for the mistakes and assumed megalomania of Reuter and Schrempp [ex-DaimlerChrysler]? Who cleans up after Hartz? Where are the tanned faces of Breuer and Sommer [ex-Deutsche Telekom] in the wake of their false decisions and merger mania? Those individuals took care of themselves and lead good lives today. I miss the old-style leaders like Boesenberg and Schulz-Wolfgramm [ex-IBM], they were honorable people." (8.10.06)

"What is a public apology by a CEO worth today? Probably as much as the apology of an old Thai woman who spills boiling oil on your feet in the streets of Bangkok: her "Solly Sir" is worth nothing compared to your pain. In your case, the CEO switches off the microphone and returns to the golf course, sipping a Bloody Mary." (9.10.06)

"After you have made an apology you can have a glass of champagne and perform the famous victory sign of Joe Ackermann in front of a mirror. Let's be clear about the fact that we talk about the leading and largest companies in the world, who get enormous subsidies from various governments and never return any of these in the format of new jobs." (9.10.06)

28.09.06 (smz) - TIPS FOR CEOS WHEN TALKING TO THE MEDIA

"These people are not conscious of the fact that they have more power than many politicians. Even if they equal their enterprise with a small empire they must take responsibility for their population. Ego, celebrity, hubris go together with the destruction of financial and ethical values, are being paired with corruption. Who wants to read about these people? Who wants to listen to them? Who makes investment decision based on their empty promises? Where are people like Herrhausen [ex-head of Deutsche Bank] today?" (8.10.06)

28.09.06 (smz) - ARE YOU CAMERA-READY?

15.5.06 (smz) - A CASE FOR VIDEO

16.4.06 (smz) - THE NEXT SALARY INCREASE FOR CEOS IN 2006

"240.000 Euro as fixum is an acceptable number, the upside should be performance-related regarding revenues/profit, market share and growth, securing the future, number of employees in the home country, salary development of employees, investments in research and development. Conclusion: act like a statesman and get paid for leadership. No honey, no money! Each self-employed person takes the responsibility for his/her mistakes, why not CEOs?" (8.10.06)