Constructing my portfolio has been eye-opening, to say the least. It’s spotlighted crucial experiences that I don’t often consider but use every day. My dive into this portfolio began with the tricky task of crafting an abstract for my very first intricate online help system. Due to a non-disclosure agreement, I needed to get a …
Sometimes in our swirl of words, phrases, punctuation and the mundane parts of our job, we forget the difference we make for people. I personally think it’s important to take some time to be aware of it. As we go about our day creating, updating and organizing documentation, we pay attention to things, so others …
The Hidden Differences Technical Communicators Make Read More »
With everything swirling around us, technology advancing in every moment and our jobs shifting and changing in a heartbeat, I ask you again. Why go it alone? The best players have a personal coach Team coaches are great, but sometimes there are skills to develop and goals to reach that are outside of the team. For that, players employ a …
I was working a contract once for a Federally regulated company. Because it was heavily regulated, it had a set of operational and procedural manuals that were mandated and managed by a publications group. These manuals were regularly audited by the Federal agency to ensure compliance with Federal regulations. While this set of manuals was …
Is a Technical Communication Strategy Missing from Your Operational Strategy? Read More »
In a job filled with uncertainties and obstacles, developing resilience is crucial for personal growth and success. Resilience empowers technical communicators to navigate difficulties, adapt to changes, and maintain a positive mindset. In this post, we explore practical strategies to become more resilient, equipping you with the tools to face challenges head-on and emerge stronger. …
Seven Tips to Build Resilience in the Face of Challenges Read More »
This is a big topic but an important one in my estimation. It’s also difficult to do when you are in a job and just one of many who do what you do. And it can take a little self-examination to get there. However, it will serve you well if you give it a shot. …
I often hear people poo-poo having a mission statement. Being someone who is mission-driven, I find that really hard to believe. So I want to say something here about the value both obvious and perhaps more obscure about having a mission. In particular, a personal mission. I’m not saying people cannot be successful without a mission, I’m …
Not everyone comes into this profession with the intention of being a technical communicator. And from what I have observed over the years, those that studied to become technical communicators in college end up using their education as a launching point for a different kind of career. It all seems very ironic. When I was …
With the full knowledge that my longevity with this company was severely limited, I put on my consultant hat. What, after all, did I have to lose? I would be out situation hunting before I knew it. So I talked and talked. Fortunately, I had a champion who was a full time employee. She foresaw …
The reason I told the story in parts one and two, was to illustrate how humble the beginnings of a technical communications program can be. In this case, from the humble beginnings of a simple document development project, a very robust and highly regarded program blossomed. It is flourishing to this day. This was not because of me, I just happened to be …