It might be free but it isn't controllable. If you are a small company and you are looking to make a name for yourself before you have a deep and solid track record beware. PR isn't something where you can dictate the message, nor always stay on message. Much better to set a marketing plan with a realistic budget and control the message. Don't think anything is for free with the PR thing.
How come this submission got posted over mine - I at least was interested in understanding something about geeks - not marketing?
In so many fields there are accrediations or associations that are meaningful and provide the consumer or client information to determine quality of the professional. Computer consulting (as well as management consulting) would benefit from such a method. I left a large consulting firm because almost everyone was focused on becoming partner first and serving the client second. I implemented more lame computer systems than I care to ever admit.
Establishing minimum standards for project management, gathering specs., defining the scope, customer management, etc. would be great for the field. I enjoy consulting, but I seem to spend so much time during the sales cycle dealing with the consulting stereotype because so many consultants don't do anything or know enough.
There is also a need for clients to take responsibility for understanding the proposed solutions. One professor at graduate school told me that almost 90% of technology projects were a waste of resources and never realized their full potential. With such a high percentage, it seems that management also needs to play a more active role in learning, understanding, and managing technology projects.
Slashdot Mirror
It might be free but it isn't controllable. If you are a small company and you are looking to make a name for yourself before you have a deep and solid track record beware. PR isn't something where you can dictate the message, nor always stay on message. Much better to set a marketing plan with a realistic budget and control the message. Don't think anything is for free with the PR thing. How come this submission got posted over mine - I at least was interested in understanding something about geeks - not marketing?
In so many fields there are accrediations or associations that are meaningful and provide the consumer or client information to determine quality of the professional. Computer consulting (as well as management consulting) would benefit from such a method. I left a large consulting firm because almost everyone was focused on becoming partner first and serving the client second. I implemented more lame computer systems than I care to ever admit. Establishing minimum standards for project management, gathering specs., defining the scope, customer management, etc. would be great for the field. I enjoy consulting, but I seem to spend so much time during the sales cycle dealing with the consulting stereotype because so many consultants don't do anything or know enough. There is also a need for clients to take responsibility for understanding the proposed solutions. One professor at graduate school told me that almost 90% of technology projects were a waste of resources and never realized their full potential. With such a high percentage, it seems that management also needs to play a more active role in learning, understanding, and managing technology projects.