I’m swamped trying to keep up with all that is going on at Banks. I remember thinking recently that we need to get the information I collect to the public faster. Then, out of the blue a few weeks ago, Gale asked me what I thought of the idea of launching a blog about Banks. I couldn’t get “yes” out fast enough. Of course, I had no idea what a blog was at the time. I’m kidding, but it did give me a chance to do a lot of research before putting the wheels into motion to launch BanksBlog.

Let me back up a little. Some of you might have found BanksBlog by accident or clicked on a link from BanksPower.com and you might not even know what a blog is. So, I’ve taken the liberty to include Merriam-Webster’s definition here: Blog noun (short for Weblog) (1999): a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.

While I was trying to get a better handle on the blogosphere, I read hundreds of corporate, political and personal blogs. It was an interesting new world that I didn’t realize was so big. I also read one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, “Blog”, by Hugh Hewitt (http://www.hughhewitt.com). Hugh’s book really clued me in on the power of blogs. Did you know that Blogs have already had a hand in changing several huge social and political events in recent history? Read Hugh’s book for some amazing examples.

Most importantly though, blogs are now providing credible information that main stream media (MSM) is finally picking up on. Or, at the very least, MSM is using blog authors as credible sources for its stories - especially in the business world. Blogs can actually present first-hand accounts of news while it’s happening. When that information gets linked to larger and more widely read blogs, this first-hand information flow becomes a very powerful tool. There isn’t much time for the filtering of this information. It’s just truthful news - without the politics or agenda. Very refreshing.

When used properly in the corporate world, blogs can provide customers with “inside” information into not only what the company is doing, but into what its CEO is thinking. Never before in history has the average Joe been able to get inside the heads of corporate leaders. Now that’s exciting. Needless to say, we’re really looking forward to providing information to you in this fast, fact-filled manner. So, keep on readin’.
Sincerely,
Your faithful,
“Corporate Blogger”

Turns out that blogs actually aren’t going to eat anyone up, just gobble up bandwidth. Blogs have become a way that folks can communicate thoughts and views on things that are important to them, whether it be about business in general or the kind of coffee they like. Our plan is to give a little insight into what’s going on in the industry and what’s going on here at Banks, especially the Engineering and Race Shop departments. Up until now we’ve kept most of this stuff a secret, which doesn’t make too much sense. Some of the projects and products we work on range from technically “cool” to “way out there.” The name of the place is Gale Banks Engineering after all, not “Gale’s Diesel Go-Fast Shack.” We’re an honest to goodness engineering facility first — one that just so happens to be run by gearheads. Think of it as a mixture of NASA meets Q’s workshop from the James Bond films meets Disney Imagineering meets Muppet Labs and you’ll get the picture. As you might guess we’ve got a bunch to talk about, and who knows — you might end up knowing what kind of coffee we like.

So please check back here often. With all the things we’ve got to say, this blog will grow to titanic proportions. Who knows — maybe the only way to stop it will be to freeze it.