Seeing the Big Picture
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008High tech companies have a lot of moving parts. There are numerous projects on the go, multiple teams at work, different divisions to oversee company operations, and the need to continually keep one eye on what’s going on outside the company as much as what’s going on inside it. It’s very easy to lose sight [...]
Teaching Professionalism
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008I was asked how it is possible to instill professional identity into technical writers. My response was that professionalism can indeed be taught, and we do that very thing here in the Seneca Tech Comm program. Simple things such as document ownership, good project management, displaying integrity, building relationships (with SMEs and others), using good [...]
Pretty but Useless
Thursday, June 12th, 2008Usually when companies need web sites designed, they call a designer. It’s no wonder — they are thinking about the look of the site and how it will represent them and their brand. But more important than the look and feel is the site’s usability — does it allow the visitor to accomplish what they [...]
STC Awards
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is the professional organization that represents technical communicators around the world. There are annual publication competitions, as well as other opportunities for recognition of the work that groups, individuals, and chapters do on behalf of the profession. The local chapter, STC Toronto, held their Annual General Meeting on June [...]
Learning to be a Technical Communicator
Sunday, June 8th, 2008Few careers for writers pay as well, or provide as much ongoing challenge and satisfaction, as the profession of technical communication. It is not unusual for an experienced technical communicator to make close to $100K per year, depending on the type of company in which they work. Many enjoy salaries in the range of $65K [...]
