The e-Policy Handbook: Rules and Best Practices to Safely Manage Your Company's E-mail, Blogs, Social Networking, and Other ElectronicCommunication Tools

by Nancy Flynn

Trillions of e-mails travel each year through corporate networks€”and they're not all work-related. But for organizations wishing to protect themselves from liability, e-mail is no longer the only danger€”they now have to contend with blogs, social networking sites, and other new technologies. Packed with electronic rules, step-by-step guidelines, sample policies, and e-disaster stories, this revised edition of The e-Policy Handbook helps implement strategic electronic rules €¢ prevent security breaches and data theft €¢ safeguard confidential company and customer information €¢ manage new and emerging technologies €¢ write and implement effective policies €¢ train employees Updated to cover new technologies, including instant messaging, social networking, text messaging, video sites, and more, this is a comprehensive resource for developing clear, complete e-policies.

321 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2000

About the author

Nancy Flynn is an editor and former columnist at getcrafty.com. She also designs her own line of handbags. She lives in San Francisco, California, with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[penny shima glanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

During my first pass through the first two parts of this book, there were two little penny's whispering in each ear. One, dressed in black and red kept harping on the publication date of this handbook, 2001, and saying "how dated it was". The other, in a nice professional suit commented instead that "sure there are a few failings, but many smaller organizations today still don't have these policies, there are lessons to be learned from 2001 and applied today. Due to new communication mediums some of these stakes are higher, so this is a good book for companies to review, and while it is basic and simple, that is often best."

I must say I agree with the "penny in a suit" who urged me not to fling the book across the room and grumble about how things were so different in 2008 than 2001. I was reminded that they really aren't incredibly different, technology is just relied on more. Also, given the turnover in office and technical management of small firms (if a formalized structure even exists) and the desire for these smaller companies to just keep moving forward and do business, they often do not stop to smell the ePolicy needs along the way.

I do recommend this handbook but remember that it was published in 2001 and some of the language may feel simplistic from a less technical age. But the lessons and policy inside are still valid and useful. There are lots of surveys (which I'm a fan of) to help guide you on the path to ePolicy development. However, I must warn you that you will need to wade through a significant amount of background material in the first two parts before you enter the "Basics of ePolicy Development" in Chapter 7 (page 81).

Please don't skip those first six chapters, even if "you know it". They help reiterate the need for ePolicy development, and isn't that why you picked up this book in the first place?

So enjoy, and good luck with your policies..

[Eric Anest · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have known by the word "safely" in the subtitle that this book would be risk-averse. But it goes way beyond that. The subtitle should really be Rules and Best Practices to Satisfy the Paranoia of People Who Would Not Know Effective Electronic Communication If It Ran Them Over on Their Way Home Tonight.

Here are a couple quotes to illustrate my point:

"You cannot afford to ignore new and emerging technology. If you fail to provide the hot, must-have technologies of the day, chances are your tech-savvy employees will bring them in through the back door. Left undetected and unmanaged, that's a recipe for disaster!"

In other words, heaven forbid your employees think for themselves and have any discretion to use the right tools for the right job.

Clearly written and effectively communicated e-Policies can help employers demonstrate to courts and regulators that the organization has made every effort to manage electronic use and content.

In other words, this book is not about effective communication but about CYA.

My reviews aren't usually this negative, but I feel strongly that the policies set forward in this book are harmful for effective business communication and, if implemented, would drive the best employees to other companies that view employees as partners in communication, not as lawsuits waiting to happen.

[Salaryman63 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. I have read the first two editions but this is the only one that I own. Well worth the price as its pretty much a complete update. If you do policy work this is a must have reference. I like Flynn's voice-very clear, simple, and partnering. I bet one of her seminars would be a great learning event.

[penny shima glanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great update to a useful publication. Flynn has definitely addressed changes in the electronic communication landscape and provided guidance and tools to help you and your counsel draft effective e-policies. I highly recommend it.

[Amacom]

Hey everyone, there's the Second Edition coming out January 2009.