Over the weekend, while some gathered for family dinners or hunted for Easter eggs, and others enjoyed a day in the park, I got caught up in listening to the online buzz about Amazon and the global reaction to its new policies.

I watched as anger and dissent – like mutating airborne bacteria – rapidly diffused throughout the Social Web, from network to network and person to person…all while the giant – Amazon – slept. By the time the global bookseller got wind of the situation, Plan A – which could have been “containment,” the chance to proactively manage the situation, was no longer an option. It was time for the big bookseller to declare a public relations state of emergency and go straight to Plan B: global communication and response.

So what did Amazon do? They emailed a comment:

“There was a glitch with our sales rank feature that is in the process of being fixed. We’re working to correct the problem as quickly as possible.”

Amazon’s reply was like pouring lighter fluid on a fire.

As of this writing, the company’s blog still has not been updated and the tweets continue to pour into the stream with #AmazonFail holding its own as a top Twitter trend. There’s talk in the Twittersphere that says Amazon will “speak” tomorrow – the start of what will prove to be a very long week of defensive maneuvering.

In the end, this all could have been avoided. And there’s no excuse for it anymore. Twitter has proven itself – time and again – as a viable and valuable communications channel…in times of disaster, giving, protest, and celebration.

Twitter – like any communication tool on the Social Web – doesn’t take a holiday. It doesn’t sleep. And it doesn’t take weekends off.

And neither should you…if you care about your reputation.

RELEVANT READING:

• Amazon sees censorship decisions magnified through the social web magnifying glass (12 April 2009)
• Open Letter to Amazon Regarding Recent Policy Changes (12 April 2009)
• Amazonfail  (13 April 2009)
• Blogs and Twitter Coin “Amazon Fail” (13 April 2009)
• How to Build a Reputation Monitoring Dashboard (March 2009)

Calling all professional communicators and media consumers: You’re invited to participate in a survey hosted by the Society for New Communications Research. 

The study – announced yesterday by Shel Holtz, Society research fellow and advisory board member – is sure to offer us some great insights. However, as you know, the degree of study’s success will ultimately depend on the quality and quantity of respondents. So, please,  PARTICIPATE TODAY.

Check out New Communications Review for more details:

“This research study, titled “New Media, New Influencers and Implications for the PR Profession,” will explore the impact of Web 2.0 and social media tools on communications and the public relations profession.”

Recently a friend (very centered, very grounded) asked me to send her a list of all my favorite songs that reference “breathing.” She is going to write her own song about just that.

It’s a great topic!

Yep, breathing is “the bomb” in communications…Ye Olde Secret Weapon.

Oxygen (O2) is to fire what breathing is to conversation. Breathing can bring new life to your conversations and presentations. Breathing can take a spark of an idea and turn it into a roaring hotbed of discussion. 

In books, blogs, and business seminars – we still hear about the importance of breathing…the importance of taking a moment…taking a breath.

Mmmmmm…

Why do I have to remind myself to take a deep breath sometimes? Is it the 60-second news cycle culture? Is it the multi-media multi-tasking? Is it anticipation? The excitement of being caught up in a moment?

I feel fortunate to have so many moments in my life that simply take my breath away. But I am going to continue heeding the good advice of so many respected sources/resources and remember to breathe during every moment of my life…

TIP: If you want to pump some O2 into your business speaking/presentations, I recommend Cahill and Associates. Their powerful training program is a breath of fresh air.