Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) 1.6  

The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge is the sum of knowledge within the profession of Business Analysis and reflects what is considered currently accepted practice. As with other professions, the body of knowledge is defined and enhanced by the business analysis professionals who apply it. The BOK describes Business Analysis areas of knowledge, their associated activities and tasks and the skills necessary to be effective in their execution.

IIBA (2006). Books>Business Communication>Professionalism>Body of Knowledge

Looking for a New Job - Discreetly

Most people change jobs more than they change mates. But no matter how many times you do it, looking for a new position can be tricky.

DeZube, Dona. Dice (2007). Careers>Interviewing>Professionalism>Ethics

The Twelve Qualities of True Business Professionals

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.

Business Pundit (2009). Careers>Business Communication>Professionalism

Exploring the Concept of “Profession” for Organizational Communication Research: Institutional Influences in a Veterinary Organization    

Recent scholarship has argued that the concept of profession is undertheorized and accepted uncritically. The authors address this issue by summarizing the characteristics of professions and articulating professions as institutionalized occupations. Their study of a veterinary call center suggests that profession influences the workplace through (a) knowledge providing, seeking, and sharing; (b) self-management of behavior, emotions, and productivity; (c) internal sources of motivation; (d) a service orientation; (e) the invocation of field standards; and (f) participation in a knowledge community beyond the workplace. Although these features may be distinguishable analytically, they are unified in the experience of work. Moreover, the close match in this case between the service orientations of the profession and of the organization strengthened the workers' commitment and thus the legitimacy of the organization.

Lammers, John C. and Mattea A. Garcia. Management Communication Quarterly (2009). Articles>Business Communication>Biomedical>Professionalism

Building Respect for Usability Expertise

Enemies of usability claim that because "the experts disagree," they can safely ignore user advocates' expertise and run with whatever design they personally prefer.

Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2009). Articles>Usability>Professionalism

ユーザビリティの専門知識に対する敬意を育てる

ユーザビリティの敵達は「専門家の意見が一致していない」という理由で主張し、ユーザを擁護する者の専門知識を難なく無視し、彼らが個人的に好きなデザインなら何であれ推進する。

Nielsen, Jakob. Usability.gr.jp (2009). (Japanese) Articles>Usability>Professionalism

Lessons From Ugly Betty: Business Attire as a Conformity Strategy    

In today's marketplace, a premium is placed on corporate image and business attire. The rationale is that appearance reflects on the employer. We tell students that first impressions, made within the first 60 seconds of meeting, are critical to their future success. As professors of management and marketing, we are routinely engaged in preparing students for professional occupations inclusive of an awareness that business attire is often reflective of a willingness to conform to workplace norms. We have known for quite some time that appearance can be indicative of conformity. Countless stories and lawsuits reveal lost career opportunities because employees failed to “look the part.” This reality is exemplified in the sitcom Ugly Betty, which provides weekly challenges encouraging us to consider the value of conformity as reflected by our appearance. Betty is an aspiring editor of a major fashion magazine. Raised in a blue-collar, working-class family, Betty does not conform to contemporary notions of style. Clothes in her world have a practical application that should not overshadow the individual's inner beauty. Betty functions with the utmost integrity in a world of competition and greed as her counterparts claw their way up the corporate ladder. Interestingly, they, unlike Betty, remain under the radar as their fashionable sense of style provides a veneer of honesty, fair play, and an unquestionable willingness to conform to the company dress code.

Burgess-Wilkerson, Barbara and Jane Boyd Thomas. Business Communication Quarterly (2009). Careers>Workplace>Professionalism

Professional Characteristics Communicated By Formal Versus Casual Workplace Attire    

In this article, we describe ongoing research about the professional characteristics projected by formal versus casual workplace attire. We also describe our research about preferences for company norms and standards regarding typical workplace attire.

Cardon, Peter W. and Ephraim A. Okoro. Business Communication Quarterly (2009). Careers>Workplace>Professionalism

Get Passionate about Technical Communication

Introverted people aren’t normally considered passionate. Even if you’re an extrovert, would you consider yourself passionate about technical communication?

Minson, Benjamin. Gryphon Mountain (2009). Articles>TC>Professionalism

A Mercenary View of STC

The mission of STC is to “advance the arts and sciences of technical communication.” How does this help you, the member? I have been a freelancer/business owner for the vast majority of my career (so far). Let me say a few things about STC’s value proposition for mercenaries like me.

O'Keefe, Sarah S. Scriptorium (2009). Articles>TC>Professionalism>STC

Considering Culture-Bound Terminology

It is clear that the term blacklist, and the newer term whitelist, and yes, graylist, are not racist in origin. Nor are they used today with any connotation about race. But these terms are culture-bound and might present globalization issues. That is, the colors black and white are not globally perceived as negative and positive, respectively. In some cultures, the meaning is the opposite.

Kocher, Sue. Carolina Communique (2009). Articles>Language>Diction>Professionalism

Talk Your Walk

We confuse people when there is a disconnect between our stated beliefs and our theories in use. When managers say they demand teamwork but evaluate employees based on individual accomplishments, they do a disservice to the person who puts the team's overall needs ahead of his or her specific goals. That person gets punished for believing what the boss said and acting on it. But don't be so quick to blame the disconnect on your behavior--It could be you are reciting scripts that describe what you think you should do.

Hughes, Michael A. User Assistance (2009). Articles>Writing>Theory>Professionalism

The Seven Deadly Sins of Blogging: Sin #5, Being Irresponsible

As you blog, remember that you have a relationship with your readers -- a relationship that requires you to disclose any important information, especially monetary, that might bias your views. Don't ruin relationships with those around you by revealing private details of their lives without approval. Ensure you don't represent your company in a negative light. And choose balanced, honest posts rather than sensationalism.

Johnson, Tom H. I'd Rather Be Writing (2009). Articles>Writing>Blogging>Professionalism

Drawing the Line Between Analyzing and Performing Organizational Practices

How prepared are you, as a policies and procedures (P&P) professional, to draw the line if you are asked to change hats from your analyst role to the role of performing the tasks of the organizational practices you are documenting?

Urgo, Raymond E. Policies and Procedures Authority, The (2009). Articles>Workplace>Policies and Procedures>Professionalism

HR Can Help Protect Online Reputation

Social media sites offer a range of new opportunities for communication, marketing and networking. But employees’ unfettered online engagement can be bad for business and potentially injurious to their employment and career prospects. Social media present a huge threat to organizations’ reputations, especially those that don’t inform and educate their staff about their online responsibilities. That’s why Web 2.0 education must become a priority for HR departments, who should collaborate with PR teams to brief employees about appropriate online engagement. The same Web 2.0 education must become part of new staff induction programs.

McCusker, Gerry. Communication World Bulletin (2009). Articles>Business Communication>Professionalism>Social Networking

Basic Etiquette of Technical Communication 

Parents spend years trying to teach their children to be polite, and some of us had to learn at school how to properly address an archbishop. Yet, it seems that advice on courteousness and politeness in technical communication is in short supply; most of us learn these skills through what is euphemistically called “on the job training.” With enough bruises on my back to demonstrate the amount and variety of my experience in this area (though not my skill), here are some of the things I’ve learned.

Spinellis, Diomidis. IEEE Software (2009). Articles>TC>Technical Writing>Professionalism