RE: them engineers

["Giordano, Connie" <Connie -dot- Giordano -at- FMR -dot- COM>]

Jeff,

I don't think anyone disagrees with the idea of helping SME/engineer types
do what needs to be done to produce better products.  However, if you've
ever been in a position where it was assumed that you would be the
minutes/notes taker because you're just the writer (or just because you're
the girl writer--yes it still happens), you might better understand why it's
usually not a good idea to offer yourself for that kind of degradation.  It
rarely does anything to improve the product, it always gives someone else
the chance to make you the scapegoat.  Team player, yes; water boy or girl,
no.

I work with as many colleagues as I can to improve their communication
skills, especially if they ask for help. If someone asked me how to take
better notes, I'd definitely offer my help.  Occasionally I offer to
proofread or edit a project for someone, as an expert in writing and public
speaking, and as a full-fledged member of the project team. I don't offer to
take minutes at a meeting, xerox agendas or notes, or get coffee. My notes
make sense to me, not necessarily to anyone else.  I ask questions, make
suggestions, offer my help on UI, QA or anything else that a good team
member can do to keep the project from slipping. I write and train as the
job requires. I crack jokes as often as possible, work late whenever
necessary, and take on new projects when the opportunity arises.  I don't
offer myself as a doormat to anyone's fragile ego--engineer, marketeer or
any other kind of -eer.

Besides, they're big boys and girls, and if they can't handle those simple
tasks, or want to attempt to intimidate someone else into it, they can
suffer the consequences.  Some things qualify as that "excellent verbal and
written communications skills"  or "must be good team player" lines I see in
every job description on the planet.  Note taking is one of them.

MTC

Connie Giordano

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Hanvey [mailto:jewahe -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2000 4:16 PM
To: TECHWR-L


[SNIP]

We have to foster a cooperative attitude with our
SME's. The surest way to get cooperation is to offer
something worthwhile - and if that means I have to use
my expertise, then I'll use it.

I don't know about anyone else on this list, but I
consider myself a communications specialist...and that
means that I have no problems with *any* form of
communication, including note-taking.

In fact, taking notes is a big part of my job. I
always carry a pen and pad so that I can keep up with
what SME's tell me when I stop them in the hall or
drop by their cubicle. 

[snip]

Seriously, though, my expertise is with using
language. If others need help, why not help them? Why
not pool our resources? How else will the job get
done. Besides, I've found that helping them with their
drafts and proofing their documents:

1. Increases my profile. The other people in the
department know who I am and what I do.
2. Increases their respect for me. Helping them makes
them realize that I am an expert with language (well,
mostly, anyway). Also, they have a reference in me,
and should be willing to use it, just like I use them
for a reference.

[snip]