Maintaining the Marketing Drumbeat in Print and E-Mail Formats  

Success in the marketplace depends on delivering the right messages to the target market. A regular, consistent “drumbeat” can be an extremely effective way to deliver messages. At the IBM® Network Computing Software Lab, I have developed a traditional newsletter and an email bulletin for delivering our marketing messages regularly and consistently. Though they share the same objective, these two instruments are very different in content and format – reflecting the fact that they are designed to maximize the opportunities and overcome the limitations of their respective media.

Kunz, Lawrence D. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Publishing>Online

Non-Traditional Roles: Case Studies

This is a collaborative article with a list of case studies of technical communicators who assume new roles beyond the traditional ones like writing and editing. When they do so, they add value to their clients and organizations — as well as making themselves more valuable. This is in connection with the presentation slides from the STC Annual Conference (May 8-11, 2005 in Seattle, WA). The editor hopes these case studies will provide inspiration and encouragement for technical communicators who are looking for ways to add value.

Kunz, Lawrence D. KeyContent.org (2005). Articles>TC>Case Studies

Professional Certification: Evolution, Revolution, or Status Quo?  

The issue of professional certification for technical communicators has reappeared in recent years and prompted the Society to begin another formal study of the question. Certification is a form of voluntary credentialing developed and administered by private, typically non-profit, organizations. Certification’s value to STC and the profession is the focus of the Society’s current study. Using information compiled from focus groups, surveys, and literature reviews, the Certification Issues Committee has begun an RFP for a comprehensive feasibility study of certification.

Kunz, Lawrence D. and Terrance M. Skelton. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Certification>TC

Twenty-Five Years of Technical Communication

What hasn't changed in twenty-five years? There are a couple of things--things that aren't likely to change in the next twenty-five years either. Technical communicators will always have to prove the value of what they do. We'll discover new ways in which to contribute, but the need to prove our value will persist.

Kunz, Lawrence D. Carolina Communique (2004). Articles>TC>History

Using the SWOT Analysis as an Organizational Planning Tool  

Many technical communicators and managers find themselves in organizations that have undergone significant reorganization, acquisitions, or mergers. Many of us also work in teams that are distributed worldwide. In such a dynamic, fast-paced environment, we found the SWOT analysis to be a simple, cost-effective tool for gaining insight into the workings of our organization. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Whether you are a manager, an individual contributor, or someone who wants to improve how your company’s Tech Pubs organization works, you can use SWOT analysis for organizational planning.

Kunz, Lawrence D. and Mohna Dhomse. STC Proceedings (2004). Careers>Management>Planning

Concept, Task, Reference: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Topic Type

This presentation is for beginning to intermediate users of DITA. It's based on my experience with projects on which I'm project manager, information architect, and writer.

Kunz, Lawrence D. SDI Global Solutions (2009). Presentations>Information Design>XML>DITA

Managing Documentation Projects: Keeping the Plates Spinning

A product is only as good as its information. With good information, customers can use the product--be it a piece of software, a hand-held electronic device, or a supersonic aircraft--and are more likely to hold a good opinion of its manufacturer. Without good information, no matter how good the product is, customers will be frustrated and will probably look elsewhere. It's not a stretch to say that the documentation project manager is instrumental in determining whether a product succeeds.

Kunz, Lawrence D. SDI Global Solutions (2009). Articles>Documentation>Project Management