CRN.com reported Friday that Google Reader made a major misstep by revealing user data to users’ connections without user approval. The Reader is intended to share RSS feeds and readable content with one’s friends and connections. However, information was shared without first allowing Google Reader users to opt-in or select which connections could receive the data.

According to the article, Facebook Beacon made the same mistake some time ago. It’s unusual to see giant web corporations lacking the foresight to handle this type of situation in advance. But when hundreds of complaints start coming in, it’s hard to turn a blind eye. Continue Reading

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Two days ago, Fionn Downhill asked the question, “Is it Reputation Management or Reputation Repair?” Downhill’s company has yet to receive a call for pro-active management of corporate reputations. She calls proactive solutions “reputation management” and mid-emergency campaigns “reputation repair.”

It’s rather obvious that most executives are not going to understand the value of proactive reputation management. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… right? Managing something you don’t know or believe could actually become a problem is not worth the monthly maintenance fee of several thousand dollars. Or is it? Only the cautious, conservative investor is likely to acknowledge the wisdom in proactively managing and guarding the corporate brand reputation.

Why spend money on something that hasn’t happened yet? Well, as Downhill points out, “Extensive reputation repair can entail building out as many as 10 sites - in other words 10 separate SEO jobs. At the heart of reputation management is an effective organic SEO strategy, and as we know - good organic SEO is not cheap.”

Well said. Building out sites and pages to fill the top 10 results of Google, Yahoo, MSN Live, and Ask will inevitably cost you much more when you’re competing with a solid negative authorities already in the top 10. The earlier you establish your presence, the better your chances of remaining at the top.

Let’s consider the options:

$3k-5k per month for proactive reputation management, OR

$40k+ per month for last minute emergency reputation repair.

Hmmm….. tough decision.

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nwinnovation.com reported on Tuesday, December 4th, that Portland-based iovation has been granted a patent for “core elements of its device identification technology and reputation management platform.” Greg Pierson and Jason DeHaan were named as the inventors. This technology was designed to manage and combat online fraud.

More details as they come available.

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If the past five years of online growing pains have taught us nothing else, they have taught us that security is essential. Data loss leads to reputation crises on a fairly regular basis. Obviously, online security isn’t the only issue. Stolen Blackberries, PDAs, and laptops are the most significant causes of data theft and loss.

Regardless of the manner in which sensitive personal information is lost, the result is always a loss of funds and damage to a company’s reputation. As an executive for such a company, you’ll need to monitor your reputation online. Angry, hurt, and dissatisfied customers are more prone to comment online than happy and satisfied customers. Look for negative statements made and respond to them quickly.

In order to do this, your company needs to have a public statement/response prepared in advance. Know what you will say to your clients and customers before they complain, so that you can be first to comment on negative blog posts and forum discussions.

Even a meager data loss in case of business loan may lead to severe reputation loss for a financial body. Data management is a critical task for every single occurrence of funds transfer be it for any cheap loans or for a highly secured heavy loan. Some specific funding institutions, like home loan bank, grant long term loans even to the customers who are not eligible for bad credit loan. In most of the cases choosing a bad credit need loan may incur much higher interest rates than usual making them always the last resort.

In the case of data theft or loss, be prepared to announce how the company has taken action to pursue justice and/or what steps will be taken to ensure said loss does not happen again. Some percentage of customer fallout is unavoidable, but you can manage that percentage with a well-timed and worded response.

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