Christopher, thanks for including my blog in your list.

An additional one I'd like to suggest for your list is Corporate Hallucinations by Steve Crescenzo:

http://www.ragan.com/stevesblog/

Steve always has insightful commentary on many topical employee communication/engagement issues.

Thanks, although I don't touch much on employee relations. There is an upcoming post that I am going to question employers choices on dealing with employees, though.

Christopher:

I came up with a list that has some of the same blogs on it. My list wasn't even "must read" blogs. These were the only ones I came across that seemed to cover employee communications:

http://mutually-inclusive.typepad.com/weblog/2005/05/employee_commun.html

For the record, I'm a he, not a she.

Shel -- a careless mistake on my part -- my apologies!

In the context of your post you might find the following in a hard-core irony basket ;-) Why GM's Blog Works

CODA: It's one of the hottest buzzwords in the news business these days. Many news executives are probably thinking about implementing some sort of citizen-journalism initiative; a small but growing number have already done so.
But there's plenty of confusion about citizen journalism. What exactly is it? Is this something that's going to be essential to the future prosperity of news companies?
In my conversations and communications with editors, I sense plenty of confusion about the concept. There's enthusiasm about experimenting in some quarters -- about harnessing the power of an audience permitted for the first time to truly participate in the news media. But mostly I hear concern and healthy skepticism.
So let's explore the possibilities, from dipping a toe into the waters of participatory journalism to embracing citizen reporting with your organization's full involvement. We'll start out slow and build toward the most radical visions of what's possible.
The 11 Layers of Citizen Journalism

Ach links ...
http://business2.blogs.com/business2blog/2005/03/why_gms_blog_wo.html

Why GM's Blog Works
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=83126
The 11 Layers of Citizen Journalism

Oddly, Christopher, I did not find it odd and did not make the connection until you pointed it out. The GM layoffs hit the front pages because it is GM and it is big. It was then relegated to the business pages. The "employee discount" ad running endlessly everywhere on TV hits a different, consumer-based audience. Maybe we have become so inured to big layoffs from the big automakers that it does not linger in our minds.

Actually, Christopher, from a consumer's point of view the underlying message is rather transparent: the company is in financial trouble. This explains why General Motors is substantially cutting its workforce (to save money), and offering "employee discounts" to everyone (to make money).

I'd like to point out that if everyone gets the employee discount, GM is in fact doing away with the employee discount. i.e., employees don't get one and the cars can be priced to cancel out the discount. Isn't it just a way to spin "we are doing away with the employee discount?"

I agree with Paul's point -- I was also interested to read that DaimlerChrylser and Ford are now following GM's lead in offering "employee pricing" to everyone. If that was considered a benefit of being an employee of those companies, it would seem that doing away with it might boost sales figures, but cut employee morale at a time when they need it to be high.

I was thrilled and relieved to see someone, somewhere pointing out this odd little irony. My first instinct, w/ out any outside influence or time to to really think, was "yes!" this is very curious indeed. I come at it from a slightly different angle while still acknowledging that it probably was a shot in the arm for many car companies in the summer season (holding my breath for the earnings numbers in October). It's PR, plain and simple. Look, your letting go a substantial employee base. Regardless of the particulars (i.e. attrition, early retirement, etc.) the general public sees that 25,000 number, period. This is a classic Jedi mind trick putting the subliminal "look how well we treat our employees by giving them deep discounts" message in consumer's heads. It softens the public reaction to a big layoff number and also throws them a carrot to eat at their local dealership. Brilliant, maybe. Downright diabolical, certainly. I did not think of the fact that this might also be a way of essentially phasing out the employee discount benefit. Thanks for that little tidbit. Post script: I wonder how many recently separated employees of GM have purchased automobiles under this latest consumer incentive program. Hmmmmnn...

Now at the helm for some 18 months, Motorola CEO, Ed Zander, made renovation of the executive offices at the company's Schaumburg headquarters one of his first culture-crunching moves.

The construction project was finally complete in April. After months of the tech giant's senior leadership team being displaced to other, more humble, vacant work areas, they returned to an environment many would have had difficulty envisioning.

Gone were the corner offices with private baths, the walnut paneling, antiques and artwork. In their places, administrative and support staff now occupy floor-to-ceiling window-facing cubicles. Light stretches across the floor to the leaders' interior offices, whose glass fronts offer a view to the suburban skies just above the cubicle dividing walls outside their doors.

All are now the same dimensions as any company vice president. It's modern, sparse and overtly high-tech, with much of the floor's square footage dedicated to shining glass and stainless steel meeting rooms. Ed insisted on an open house for area employees, and in two hours one afternoon, more than 600 employees toured a space that most had never previously seen. Many were greeted by Ed, a Brooklyn native, leaning in his office doorway. "So, whatya think?! Not bad, huh? Hey, wanna check out our new Ojo videophone? Let's call someone, c'mon!"

Universally, employees were impressed by the modest, but sleek surroundings, and the decidedly egalitarian tone. One chat board entry noted, "They're working in less floor space than my boss -- I have renewed faith in where this company is going."

Mike, thanks for sharing. Yes, I like what Motorola has done -- one of my favorite details was the elimination of the "grumpy guard" who was the first face employees coming in through the employee entrance saw. Replacing that person with someone who was more upbeat and consistent with the environmental experience Motorola was trying to create was a clever move.

Yes, times has changed, and a comment can become a publicly discussed news in a matter of minutes. However, 70% of employees in service organizations are dissatisfied with their employer, which is human nature. I don't think that appeal to emploee's senses will do the trick, there should be a strict policy put in place...

Interesting statistic -- thanks for sharing it. Where did it come from?