Imperfect Transparency or Perfect Silence?

Ken's Blog

I'm a big believer in transparency.  So, as Founder and Chairman of the Board of SiteSell, I try to give current plans of where we are heading and best estimates of what major projects are going to be delivered when.

Many corporate executives of larger companies think I'm naive to do this.  They prefer "the mushroom strategy" ("keep your customers in the dark and feed them sh_ _"). It is the preferred "communication strategy" by just about every company that reaches mid-size and larger.

I prefer to consider SBIers as our friends and partners.  We succeed when you do and vice-versa. So I shed light on our plans, and on just about everything else. Business does not have to be oppositional.  WIN-WIN is so much more fun.

I realize that some take my word as gospel. Others understand that I can be wrong about dates and that I can get too enthusiastic. Either way...

We may have grown too large to share this type of information and planning.  I would rather be wrong internally and merely adjust our business plan than let down folks.

------SIDEBAR-----
Delays in software development are common. Even Google, who
claimed that "Caffeine" was going to be released this past
December, is not giving a release date for it.
------SIDEBAR-----

That leads me to ask...

Do you prefer "imperfect transparency" or "perfect silence" about dev plans and progress?

I'd love to hear from folks if they prefer that we just go about our business and release when ready, or do most folks prefer insights into where we are going, mindful of the fact that I can be wrong, plans can change, dates can slip, other things can jump in front, etc., etc.?

And no, you can't choose "perfect transparency." ;-) Add your comments below.

All the best,