Dell Finally Tries Blogging

I've reviewed Dell’s one2one weblog, which made its debut July 4, 2006, although Lionel Menchaca, Digital Media Manager at Dell, says "Yesterday was the first official day " of the blog's existence. So far, they're off to a good start.

Already, Dell is getting good advice from readers and bloggers. Of course, there has been some criticism. Jeff Jarvis at BuzzMachine says "It’s a blog in content management system name only."

Be sure to see Jarvis' Some friendly advice from Dell.

So, what's my advice to Lionel? It is to be open, honest, engage commenters without being defensive and even respond occasionally to posts on other blogs. And don't do it anonymously.

Above all,  listen to those who've bought your computers and those who may be inclined to buy them. Listen even if they never buy a Dell.

Depending on the vibes I get from the blog, I may be convinced to buy my first Dell machine. For years, I've resisted it. On several occasions, just before I bought a new computer--I've bought eight in the last 15 years--, I asked people what they thought of Dell. Generally, I got positive answers. Yet, I couldn't hit the send button after filling out an order form on at least two occasions. There was always the feeling that all Dell cared about was selling computers and customer service contracts. I couldn't feel the human element the way I could with Compaq, Hewlett Packard and Toshiba.

Finally, maybe someone will emerge at Dell who can do for the company what former Microsoft Technical Evangelist Robert Scoble did for Microsoft. That is bring out some of the humanity in the company. I'm sure its there.