http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/Business-Communication A listing of the most recently indexed works about Careers and Business Communication in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/Business-Communication http://tc.eserver.org/35492.html http://tc.eserver.org/35492.html Is it really true that a freelancer shouldn’t bother with a business plan? There are thousands of freelancers, after all, who started taking on clients without even thinking about writing a business plan. Nobody seems to have suffered from that approach. However, there are a few steps along the way that are significantly easier when you have a business plan in hand. http://tc.eserver.org/35294.html http://tc.eserver.org/35294.html Article describes how to enter the professional writing field of grant writing. Includes information on skill and educational requirements, and obtaining training for this career. http://tc.eserver.org/34812.html http://tc.eserver.org/34812.html Years of experience with far-flung organizations have taught me more about the limits of telecommuting than about its advantages. I firmly believe that you should expect employees to show up for work, whenever possible, no matter what kind of company. The reasons for this have nothing to do with checking that people are actually working. It's about efficient communications, building company culture and camaraderie, and sharing the daily bits of work and personal experiences that create a shared sense of purpose. http://tc.eserver.org/34837.html http://tc.eserver.org/34837.html Much of the theory guiding career development research is grounded in studies of men's careers in professional positions. In addition to largely ignoring the career experiences of women, the career literature pays little attention to overcoming barriers to career advancement in organizations—a challenge many women and men both face over the course of their career development. Using survey data, analyses of in-depth interviews, and a focus group discussion with female executives in the high-tech industry, this study finds variations of three responses: exit, voice, and rationalizing to remain are used by women in response to career barriers. These responses form the foundation of a career barrier sensemaking and response framework presented in the study. Findings indicate that perceived organizational sanctioning of career barriers and the organization's commitment to the career advancement of other women also influence participants' responses to barriers and their strategies for sensemaking, respectively. http://tc.eserver.org/34734.html http://tc.eserver.org/34734.html Professionalism is a word embraced by many, but in all honesty demonstrated by far fewer individuals. Its Latin’s origins come from the word profess which means, “to avow before.” So the question is who are these individuals that believe themselves to be true professionals avowing before? Possibly the answer may be found within the word professional. http://tc.eserver.org/34078.html http://tc.eserver.org/34078.html The first step in developing as a business analyst is to understand the competency required of a business analyst in your organization. This should include an assessment both the current and the future competencies required. The HR department provides an outline definition of the competencies required of the business analyst in the organization. Future competencies are more difficult to assess and depends on the factors such as projects that may develop in future, business issues and technological developments. http://tc.eserver.org/33879.html http://tc.eserver.org/33879.html Within hours of Tweeting “Who do I have to schmooze to get a job in this joint?” Chelsea Winkel received three direct messages, a much better (and as it would turn out, more substantial) turnout than anything else she’d tried so far. The key to making Twitter work for you is being proactive. http://tc.eserver.org/32611.html http://tc.eserver.org/32611.html When thinking about scholarship, tenure, and promotion in professional communication, we must remember that the field has come into its own only in the last decade. Called by different names -- technical writing, technical and scientific writing, business communication, or the more inclusive term we use -- professional communication has now moved from a nearly invisible position in the service ranks of academic departments to recognition as a discipline with its own scholarly agenda. http://tc.eserver.org/32484.html http://tc.eserver.org/32484.html How to write a cover letter. http://tc.eserver.org/32223.html http://tc.eserver.org/32223.html At first glance, technical communication (techcom) and technical marketing communication (marcom) appear to be very different genres. Where traditional techcom strives to help people use products, marcom seeks to make people realize they need products. Techcom instructs, while marcom persuades, and this distinction affects everything from the genre’s focus, to its content, and medium. http://tc.eserver.org/31774.html http://tc.eserver.org/31774.html Send a thank-you note for every interview. It can be an email, a handwritten note on good-quality (neutral color) stationery, or a standard business letter. http://tc.eserver.org/31710.html http://tc.eserver.org/31710.html Great leaders are not always born that way. Unfortunately, many management training programs don't sufficiently emphasize leadership development, but instead focus on fundamentals and the day-to-day tasks that confront managers within the organization. This article takes a look at how having vision and then communicating it is the foundation of leadership and contributes to the makeup of a truly great leader. http://tc.eserver.org/31533.html http://tc.eserver.org/31533.html There are crucial behaviors important people, successful executives, and true leaders use to move processes and people forward. These behaviors are the key ingredients of leadership. The more of these ingredients leaders take to heart, teach, and expect of others, the more power they will have to achieve their objectives. http://tc.eserver.org/31372.html http://tc.eserver.org/31372.html Natasha Spring talks with John Deveney about the success of his consulting firm, client relationships, technology, and the challenges he has faced. http://tc.eserver.org/31371.html http://tc.eserver.org/31371.html Many organizations are looking to communicators for a different set of services than those traditionally delivered. “Teach our managers to communicate better,” leaders say. “Help us make smarter decisions and be more efficient,” they plead. “Help me deliver messages better in front of our audiences,” they implore. At the same time, communicators work tirelessly to get to the leadership table, stay there and have real influence. We’re all working toward the same end: strategic thinking and implementation that truly impacts the business. For some, operating more like a consultant, even while continuing to work inside the organization, makes more sense. But how do you transition to such a model? http://tc.eserver.org/31302.html http://tc.eserver.org/31302.html I received a slightly panicked call the other day from a colleague who had recently ventured out on her own after many years of working for others. She had been lured into self-employment by an opportunity that matched up her passion and her skills—but it wasn't going to pay all the bills. So she needed to get serious about starting up some kind of freelance business. But where to start? Although my colleague had taken the necessary legal steps in her state (notably, applying for a business license), she didn't know what to do next. She was, in her own words, paralyzed. http://tc.eserver.org/31264.html http://tc.eserver.org/31264.html We are all mentors to someone at some point in our lives. And interestingly, we may not even know it at the time. I was quite surprised one sunny day to be introduced by an IABC colleague as "her mentor" when we encountered one of her co-workers as we left a restaurant. http://tc.eserver.org/31256.html http://tc.eserver.org/31256.html With corporate raiders, financial analysts and institutional investors all demanding "performance, performance, performance," CEOs are looking for creative communication executives who can help show that the direction they are taking the enterprise is guaranteed to increase shareholder value. http://tc.eserver.org/31154.html http://tc.eserver.org/31154.html A top-level corporate communicator tells how to improve odds of survival and success. http://tc.eserver.org/31130.html http://tc.eserver.org/31130.html This 24-page e-book is a compilation of six articles, all focused on starting and growing a successful freelance copywriting business. In addition to the articles, there is also a resource page with suggestions for courses and further reading. http://tc.eserver.org/31041.html http://tc.eserver.org/31041.html It's not about what software you use, or how you organize your document, or how big the document is; but about whether the expectations the client has set, have been met. The question is, then, how do we assure we're meeting all the client's expectations? The answer is client buy-in. http://tc.eserver.org/31044.html http://tc.eserver.org/31044.html This is the first of a series of articles on BA consulting. This is some of my perspective on starting your consulting assignment as a BA, and understanding the organization that you're working with. This first article: Start your BA assignment with a bang and will be followed by two additional articles discussing requirements basics, followed by closing the project. http://tc.eserver.org/31046.html http://tc.eserver.org/31046.html Because the certification has meaning that is fluid and career or personal goals are always changing, I believe it's up to the individual business analyst professional to decide for themselves if certification is right for them based on these factors. If the certification program means upward mobility in their profession or enables an individual to excel at their current job, then it is probably worth the time and cost to undertake a certification program. But I would caution anyone not to cut corners or to cram for the exam to obtain the certification. If they don't see a certification program as a chance to learn, grow and develop their skills and knowledge, then it's probably not worth the investment. http://tc.eserver.org/29798.html http://tc.eserver.org/29798.html Part of professional development involves recognizing your strengths and learning how to express it to others. It is a helpful exercise to develop a tagline for yourself, in the same way that professionals in a previous generation were encouraged to develop a mission statement. With shortening attention spans, today's professional needs only a few-word tagline to fit in the sound bite of management's smaller time slots. Beyond what Chris Benz would call shameless self-promotion, having a personal tagline keeps your career development focused and on track. http://tc.eserver.org/29583.html http://tc.eserver.org/29583.html The IABC Code of Ethics is based on three different yet interrelated principles of professional communication that apply throughout the world. These principles assume that just societies are governed by a profound respect for human rights and the rule of law; that ethics, the criteria for determining what is right and wrong, can be agreed upon by members of an organization; and, that understanding matters of taste requires sensitivity to cultural norms. http://tc.eserver.org/29577.html http://tc.eserver.org/29577.html The IABC Job Centre is resource for the communication profession, serving job seekers and employers in all industries and communication functions. http://tc.eserver.org/29374.html http://tc.eserver.org/29374.html As an IT support pro, you not only need to be able to diagnose computer problems, you also must be able to effectively communicate the problem to the user. Use these tips to develop your soft skills, become a star player, and move up the IT ladder. http://tc.eserver.org/29373.html http://tc.eserver.org/29373.html If you have ever been forced to deal with business types who have no technical know-how, then you know how these types can work against IT's progress. Here's how to improve your business/IT communication by concentrating on the strategic goals. http://tc.eserver.org/29364.html http://tc.eserver.org/29364.html How do you explain highly technical designs in terms that nontechnical managers and executives--who typically have decision-making power over the budget--can understand and appreciate? Unless you know a technical writer who can translate for you, you're going to have to do it yourself. http://tc.eserver.org/29048.html http://tc.eserver.org/29048.html The profession of technical communication is in transition. While a few might argue that we are in danger of being swallowed up by large, institutional realignments, it seems more likely that the future workplace (as characterized by Senge, among others) will put communication, culture, and collaboration at the center of work. However, in order for the profession to exploit these opportunities, we must understand the impact of integrated information technology (IT) on organizations. I summarize the interaction of corporate culture, leadership/management, human resources, and advanced networking and web-based applications (more commonly called an Intranet) for the successful integration of new IT products into an established and well-defined organization. Background research for this paper was conducted as part of an Army Summer Faculty Research and Engineering grant. http://tc.eserver.org/29036.html http://tc.eserver.org/29036.html This longitudinal study was conducted to identify trends in entry-level technology, interpersonal, and basic communication competencies and skills using entry-level classified newspaper advertisements from ten standard U.S. metropolitan statistical areas. Two competencies and one skill were selected from the Workplace Know-How's identified by the 1991 U.S. Department of Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS). Specifically, ads including interpersonal competencies increased for the fourth consecutive year; ads including basic communication skills increased for the second consecutive year. Ads including technology competencies decreased slightly; however, the overall trend for technology remains strong. Therefore, the workplace continues seeking the competencies and skills advocated by the SCANS authors. http://tc.eserver.org/28823.html http://tc.eserver.org/28823.html Why Blog? Your personal presence, building goodwill, and enhancing your network. http://tc.eserver.org/28799.html http://tc.eserver.org/28799.html You've got thirty seconds to sell your work to the well dressed nemesis who's paying you. Handle the next few moments gracefully, and the project will be one you can be proud of. Flub an answer, and you can kiss excellence goodbye. Are you prepared? Can you deliver? http://tc.eserver.org/28087.html http://tc.eserver.org/28087.html Coates's job as a senior writer and editor for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is full of variety and challenges. http://tc.eserver.org/27774.html http://tc.eserver.org/27774.html Have you ever considered breaking out of your nine to five and 5-by-5-foot cubicle to become a full-time freelance writer? http://tc.eserver.org/26593.html http://tc.eserver.org/26593.html The one-page MBA résumé has become, in graduate management education, the self-representational document of choice. Sentences are out, bullets are in, details remain. The key is how to detail the bullet to describe, define, and deliver, in non-narrative form, professional achievements and accomplishments. In this paper, I examine samples of raw quasi-narrative descriptions and suggest restyled improvements for single-line bullets that more clearly, precisely, and effectively represent how authors describe their achievements. The raw data come from a data set of some 400 résumés submitted as a task in a studio-based broadcast course on business communication. The authors are mid-level managers in Latin America enrolled in a global MBA program. The paper examines the content and form of the objective, summary, and professional experience sections of the résumé and provides a set of tips for written language use in the résumé. http://tc.eserver.org/26579.html http://tc.eserver.org/26579.html This article explains how strengthening communication skills of our diverse workers could enhance competence, cooperation, and confidence in the workplace. A study focusing on language barriers was used to emphasize how variations in communication can, if not handled properly, escalate into conflicts in the workplace. Findings from the study that negatively affect productivity: lack of adequate training, lack of awareness of the culture of diverse groups and the perception that some were being subjected to racism and stereotypes are discussed. http://tc.eserver.org/25787.html http://tc.eserver.org/25787.html Thorough, ongoing documentation is the key to well-written Self-Appraisals that increase your perceived value within your Company and impact your performance rating. http://tc.eserver.org/25572.html http://tc.eserver.org/25572.html Want a professional writing secret? Build your writing inventory. Unless you have an inventory, you have nothing to sell. http://tc.eserver.org/25366.html http://tc.eserver.org/25366.html You cannot succeed in any business without selling. Delegating or ignoring selling skills is one of the worst things you can do. How to develop your sales skills, even if you think you hate it. Wendy Peck explains. http://tc.eserver.org/24799.html http://tc.eserver.org/24799.html Many technical writers, editors, illustrators, graphic designers, managers, and others would like to break into technical marketing. But how to do it? This mini-workshop gives technical communicators some practical tips for making the transition without the requisite “experience required”. As an added bonus, it shows that marketing jobs in general pay more than similar ones held by traditional technical communicators. http://tc.eserver.org/24180.html http://tc.eserver.org/24180.html Developing a business plan—without it, your independent practice will flounder. http://tc.eserver.org/21302.html http://tc.eserver.org/21302.html For practical purposes, we may say that a tender is 'an offer to do work.' This article discusses quotations for work, standard terms and conditions and letters of agreement. The article is written within the context of UK legislation. It originally appeared in Communicator 7:1, Spring 2001. http://tc.eserver.org/21242.html http://tc.eserver.org/21242.html Negotiating with vendors, business partners, peers, or employees can turn differences to mutual gain. The following paper along with the paper entitled 'Successful Contract Consulting' provides background for a panel on how to optimize your success as a consultant, contractor, or an organization. http://tc.eserver.org/20496.html http://tc.eserver.org/20496.html This chapter focus on business correspondence-general format and style for business letters as well as specific types of business letters. http://tc.eserver.org/19790.html http://tc.eserver.org/19790.html Technical communicators can use their professional skills to help industry improve managerial-employee communication, an area that directly affects productivity. This case study investigates upward and downward communication at an aerospace company. Beginning with a survey that indicated a number of statistically significant differences between the attitudes of managers and other employees, the researcher then attended a randomly selected series of meetings. As she followed the flow of information within the company, she observed omissions and inaccuracies. The company devised a new process for information deployment as a result of this study. http://tc.eserver.org/19713.html http://tc.eserver.org/19713.html Why is attitude important? Because how you feel about your job affects how well you do it—and how coworkers feel about working with you! http://tc.eserver.org/19707.html http://tc.eserver.org/19707.html How many customers do you know who deliberately set out to make your life difficult? Not many, I’m sure. They probably don’t anticipate that adding three new chapters to a manual means that the project deadline needs to change or another writer needs to be hired. They may not realize that another round of reviews requires more (billable) hours of work. In most cases, good two-way communication prevents problems in the first place and provides solutions for the unforeseen issues that arise. http://tc.eserver.org/19554.html http://tc.eserver.org/19554.html Is the customer always right? My uncle Fred would argue that in the microcosm of neighbourhood corner store management the customer had better be always right, or you won't have your corner store for very long. He also knew, however, that regardless of his philosophical approach towards running his business, a lot of his customers who were supposedly right didn't have a clue as to what they were complaining about...but he'd never tell them that. http://tc.eserver.org/18908.html http://tc.eserver.org/18908.html Technical communication consultants may find that marketing writing makes an excellent second line of business. Technology companies, marketing services firms, and advertising agencies often use freelancers to write marketing documents. They particularly need good writers who understand technology. This paper discusses the business of freelance marketing writing and how it differs from independent technical writing. Topics include the kinds of projects that marketing writers work on, how development cycles typically differ from those of technical documents, and how to effectively market yourself as a marketing writer. http://tc.eserver.org/18205.html http://tc.eserver.org/18205.html To make a meaningful contribution to the field, researchers should follow sound research design principles and should report their results in a clear and logical manner. In addition, studies should build on the research of others, address timely issues, and fit in a well-articulated theoretical framework. Before embarking on a project, researchers should determine the overall purpose for the research and who the research will serve. Based on that determination, they should identify potential sources for funding and develop a thorough proposal. Finally, researchers should establish contacts who can help them pursue funding and conduct the research. http://tc.eserver.org/15133.html http://tc.eserver.org/15133.html Offers tips on how nonprofit organizations can search for and attain funding. http://tc.eserver.org/14509.html http://tc.eserver.org/14509.html Constructivism is a cognitive theory stating that people construct understanding based on what they already know or understand and that more cognitively complex people can better take and understand others’ perspectives and hence, design more persuasive messages. As the key to proposal writing is persuasion, and the key to persuasion is understanding, applying this theory provides us a general strategy for all proposal writing: first, collect information to establish our own context-related constructs and interpretive schemes and to understand those of our reader; then, make all the writing decisions based on the understanding achieved. http://tc.eserver.org/13564.html http://tc.eserver.org/13564.html I recently encountered a young web entrepreneur who understands that in business, 'no' doesn't necessarily mean 'never,' and that a last ditch sales pitch can pay off - maybe not today or tomorrow, but some day. It's a wise investment because one sales letter can be adapted and personalized for many different uses over time. And it can help you retrieve prospects you thought you had lost! http://tc.eserver.org/13318.html http://tc.eserver.org/13318.html The thank you letter is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of job hunting. Don’t fall in to the trap of thinking it isn’t important. A handwritten note is best but a thoughtful email will suffice. And like your resume, your thank you letter should be customized to reflect the mood and content of the interview. http://tc.eserver.org/11875.html http://tc.eserver.org/11875.html This Proposal Guide has been created to provide both instructions on how to write a funding proposal and actual examples of a completed proposal. The Guide is designed as a tool for advanced graduate students and others to learn more about the actual proposal writing process. (This Guide is a companion to the Guide for Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation.) http://tc.eserver.org/10356.html http://tc.eserver.org/10356.html Little has been written for technical communicators on how to identify the business goals of the projects we work on, or how to write those goals in observable, measurable terms. When we prepare goals in observable, measurable terms, we call these goals objectives. This article is intended to fill that gap. It first describes the challenges of setting business objectives for a project, next describes the three ways that a performance improvement program can contribute to the business performance of an organization, and then explains how to write a business objective. Finally, this article describes the benefits of writing business objectives.