This is a 90-day experiment in organizational transparency.

In December 2005, BzzAgent received $13.8 million in venture capital, and has now a reached a critical point in its development -- the company will double its staff from 47 to 80 over the next year, double its sales, and make a fundamental transition from an agency to a media model.

To chronicle this extraordinary phase in its evolution, BzzAgent has invited John Butman -- a writer, expert in organizational communications, and co-author with Balter of the recently published book Grapevine: The New Art of Word-of-Mouth Marketing -- to spend time inside the company and blog about what he sees and learns, in real-time.

90 Days at BzzAgent will chronicle the changes that take place at BzzAgent as the company strives to grow fast and big, but keep true to its mission of "open and honest sharing of opinions" among everyday people.

Subject: Project On My Mind, I Can’t Shake
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 23:10:37 -0500
From: Dave Balter
Reply-To: dave balter
Organization: BzzAgent, Inc.
To: John Butman

Doc -

I got an idea.

What do you think about a 3 month on staff writing gig at BzzAgent.

It's simple. The company just got about $15 million in funding [true].

I want to have you document the company for 3 months - in writing. To the world. We'll set it up as a blog - people can respond to the daily postings.

You hang out in the office. Write about the real internal workings. What's really happening.

It's like a reality show. But written. Cheap to produce. Fun to watch.

We take the idea of the BeeLog and we turn it up a dozen notches. In real time. Do something no company has ever done before.

We could get very creative with this. Plus, I think you’d like the energy in the office right now - and would enjoy your energy around as well. [you can certainly work on other projects while there, if you want].

You in?

Dave