Not all analysts react instantly (and publicly) to everything they hear, as is the RedMonk model.

Some analysts prefer to get the information in advance as it gives them time to digest it, weight in relation to and combine it with other “conversations” they are having with customers and vendors’ competitors, and perhaps create some actionable advice for their end-customers.

I have to agree with @Ludo’s point on sensitive discussions. What about information that we as vendors provide to analysts in response to their questions?

For example, when an analyst comes to HP with specific questions about a negative customer situation they have heard from the customer itself or from a competitor. They want our side of the story. And we decide to be open with that analyst with HP’s side of the story.

Is the analyst then entitled to just broadcast that information all over the place, which was provided in confidence? I’d certainly hope not.

Cheers,
Gerry

I do take the point on markets being a conversation, and agree up to a certain point.
In some cases though, it helps analysts to do their job if we can be more open with them, in a forum where we can discuss things that directly relate to our competitive advantage.

For instance, talking about a specific implementation, a sales playbook, etc… We would not want to share this openly and help our competitors.

You have a few good points, about secrecy, et al.

But there’s a but. If we, vendors, wanted to tell everyone, then shouldn’t we just lump analysts and press together in a room?

Don’t you think there’s value in disclosing non-public information to a select group so that they can in turn provide knowledgeable advice to IT buyers and feedback to vendors?

I was very skeptical about twitter initially as well. But, after using it for a few months, I think it’s very valuable tool with some limitations.

I think twitter’s noise-to-substance ratio is very high — i.e. there are a lot of social networking butterflies using twitter. They follow a lot of people, and they get a lot of people following them. But, very little substantive discussion.

However, I do find real values in twitter:
1) I used it to get attention from influences. Because the message is so short, the busy/popular/high-powered folks might actually read it, which give you an opportunity to reach out to potential client/contacts.

2) Unlike IM, it lets me to talk to stranger without fully disclosing who I’m. It protects privacy while allows you to communicate.

3) Unlike facebook or other social networking sites, twitter let people to automatically follow you without your permission. For me, this has been a discovery tool — I find some interesting business contacts after they start following me.

In other words, twitter gets people connect without getting too close. Its shortness is also conducive for the short attention span.

Bill (www.GeekMBA360.com)

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