A blog is a very personal thing. On the other hand, I am recognized as an Autodesk employee, so when I write something, it is a reflection on Autodesk. In addition, Autodesk provides links from our web site to employee blogs such as mine. Our blogs are regarded as Autodesk blogs. Autodesk does not edit our blog content but instead provides a set of guidelines that bloggers can refer to when they sign up for blogging. The general theme is, if you are going to do a blog, do it right. I voluntarily comply with these guidelines, but bloggers are not required to do so. No one checks our work. Although Autodesk does not share internal documents externally, my personal take on the Autodesk blogging guidelines is:

• You are individually responsible for your posts. The opinions and material on your blog are your own and do not necessarily represent Autodesk’s positions or opinions.

• You are a representative of Autodesk. Always be cognizant that blog readers may perceive you as a “voice of Autodesk.”

• Autodesk Blogs exist to serve individual and group discourse, not corporate communications. We have existing channels to announce important events and “break” important company news.

• You must not comment on Autodesk confidential information or the proprietary information of any other person or company. This includes confidential Autodesk financial information such as future business performance, plans, or prospects. Avoid commenting or elaborating on any rumors in any way.

• Always be truthful about our competition in your posts.

• If you allow comments on your blog, visitors expect interaction and may have follow-up questions or requests. Keep track of your post’s comments. Don’t remove or alter negative comments or feedback.

• Use a human voice. Blog visitors will tune out to obvious marketing-speak and overt sales pitches. Be interesting.

• Post to your blog at least three times a week.

• Participate at your level of expertise. Stick to topics you know about.

• Support other teams. Never pass blame to another department inside of Autodesk for unpopular policies or program issues.

• Remember your day job. Blogging should not interfere with your work responsibilities or commitment to customers.

• Most importantly - have fun!

Since I have mentioned Autodesk blogging guidelines in previous posts, a few of you asked me to provide more information. Many of you want to establish similar guidelines for your own companies. I hope you find the above helpful.

We now have many employee blogs. These common sense guidelines allow bloggers the freedom they need to be creative but, for those who voluntarily agree to adhere to them, also promote a consistency among all Autodesk blogs. I think we have the right balance.

If the seven tech trends explain a little about how we chose what we work on at Labs, I hope this explains a little about how I write my blog.

Transparency is alive in the lab.