RE: Related to the thread - Expectations too high

["Robyn Richards" <robynrrr -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

Manisha wrote:
> ... I am a person who likes exploring new things and frankly
> speaking I enjoy this variety of work.
> But I want to know
> 1. What exactly other TW around the world are writing
> and expected to?
I too am in a similar situation. Being the ONLY technical writer in the 
company, any time there is a document to be written it falls to me. I have 
been with the company for just on a year and in that time have writtern user 
material, marketing material, web site content, internal processes, internal 
sales material, etc.
I am currently developing a 'test matrix' and 'test plan' - despite the 
company having a highly skilled tester on staff of many years standing 
(seems he hasn't yet been able to generate one!).

I DO enjoy the variety and challenge, althogh sometimes it is a little 
overwhelming.

> 2. Is it too much my company is expecting from me?
A little anecdote: earlier this year, I was asked to develop the marketing 
material for 5 products in 3 days, from scratch. Our small company was 
bought out by a larger one with marketing expertise and an extensive sales 
network, with which they were to launch our products into the 'big 
corporate' sales environment. Despite their expertise in sales and knowledge 
of the sector, it fell to me to provide them with their material.

I certainly felt that it was asking too much of me, given that I had no 
knowledge of the industry nor any idea how the company wished to market the 
product (nor access to anyone who might have an idea). However, my manager 
encouraged me to have a go, saying that the 'marketing gurus' in the company 
would review and refine as necessary. I managed to complete the material and 
it was published - verbatim. Five months down the track it is still being 
used 'as is'.

There are times when I do feel the company expects a lot of me. Because of 
the environment I am in, I often have to work without any input from SMEs, 
so any of my tasks can be a challenge. My manager throws me something curly 
every now and then, but expects me to let him know when I am out of my 
depth. How much you take on is up to you.

> 3. What designation should be given to me to reflect the
> actual work I am doing?
My business card says 'Documenter' - in the main because no one seems to 
know what to put on it.

I know that my manager values me for my whole skill set - he often asks me 
to do things outside the role of 'documenter' and relies on my knowledge and 
experience. I also know that, because of my title, their are others in the 
company who do not value my skills (quote from the CEO- 'Nobody reads 
documentation!').

I can't tell you what to put on your business card, but I would advise you 
to 'explore' as much as you can!

Good luck,
Robyn

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