Creating an Idea Culture: Six Tips for Managers  

The future of technical communication is about generating and implementing new ideas so that your team can change with the times. Other fields are vying for some of the same jobs in an organization that we are capable of performing. If managers do not take time to stay abreast of these changes nor tap into the minds on their team that are generating ideas about how to morph into different realms, then our profession is at a disadvantage to those in related fields who are drafting proposals for new jobs or innovative projects. This paper presents six tips for managers on creating an idea culture. It also argues why it is essential for managers to start their team's idea culture as soon as possible.

Hansen, Heidi and Jennifer Square. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Management>Planning

Five Books to Add to Your Technical Communication Library

Heidi Hansen takes 15 minutes to discuss five books that she read over the past year and published book reviews for.

Hansen, Heidi. Tech Writer Voices (2008). Articles>TC>Policies and Procedures>Podcasts

Idea Watch: A New Approach for your Professional Development  

Our field is young, yet great books and great ideas by technical communication gurus abound. How many of us, though, are steeped in these works? How many of us can intelligently discuss the great ideas and latest research? If new STC members ask us which authors constitute the foundation of our field, can we tell them? If so, have we read them cover to cover? Can we discuss ideas more? This paper presents the professional development programs that two STC members began in the fall of 1999. After realizing that their programs might be of interest to others, they formed a SIG called Idea Watch. In addition, they have informally polled numerous gurus and drawn up a list of “essential books.” This list is presented at the conclusion of this paper.

Hansen, Heidi and Jennifer Square. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>Education>Professionalism

Review of Word 2007, Tool vs. Industry Experience, the Slow Movement, E-mail Tips, and More

In this week's Tech Writer Voices podcast, Heidi and I talk about some innovative research from Microsoft, Word 2007, convincing upper management you're not a cost, focusing on information users actually want, tool versus industry experience, the curse of knowledge, the slow movement, and a tip for handling your e-mail inbox.

Hansen, Heidi and Tom H. Johnson. Tech Writer Voices (2007). Articles>Word Processing>Software>Podcasts

Web Development 101: The Technical Writers' Consumer Guide to Web Design Materials  

This panel will review Web sites, books, and HTML editors with the specific purpose of creating a 'consumer guide' for technical communicators who are just beginning their Web page projects. Most technical communicators do not have comprehensive reference materials (Web site or hard copy) that they can refer to when beginning their Web sites. Our reviews and demonstration of Web-building materials will help you make informed decisions, produce professional and effective pages, and save time and money.

Doyle, Michael J., Jennifer Fink, Heidi Hansen, Jessica Larcom and Jennifer Square. STC Proceedings (1999). Design>Web Design