Brandon Hall Research Goes Green

Just a week after I read about reducing our carbon footprint, I notice the Innovations in Learning Conference organized by Brandon Hall Research encouraging this noble cause.

Check this link.

What's your carbon footprint?

Check how you contribute to the changing climate and the environment degradation. Click here.

:: Swimming Pool Tale ::

:: Swimming Pool Tale ::

Old Uncle: From which state?
Me: Maharashtra.
Old Uncle: Your name?
Me: Sunil Ghorpade (I had to lie as the first question scared me.)
Old Uncle: Where do you stay?
Me: Close by.
Old Uncle: When did you join?
Me: This is my first day.
Old Uncle: Life Member?
Me: No 3-month member.
Me in my mind: Too inquisitive. I got to be careful.

Old Uncle: You will come everyday?
Me: Yes, may be in the beginning.
Old Uncle: I don’t come on Saturdays and Sundays. The pool’s too crowded.
Me in my mind: For once there’s no question there.

Old Uncle: What’s your weight?
Me: Uncleji, please ‘wait’ here until I swim a little.
Old Uncle: God bless you!
Me: Thank you.

When I narrated this incident to some my friends and colleagues, they had the following interpretations:

• Old uncle was lonely and wanted someone to talk to.
• Old uncle was gay and wanted some pleasure.
• Old uncle has a daughter/grand daughter whom he wants to pair up with someone.

I hope it's the last one.

Working For Pure Play Technical Writing Companies–Pros And Cons

:: Working For Pure Play Technical Writing Companies-Pros And Cons ::

I see more pros than cons in working for pure play technical writing companies. So here I go.

Pros

Getting Trained
A pure play technical writing company is a good training ground, irrespective of whether you are a novice or a trained writer. The company’s business is only technical writing and if there is a continuous inflow of business, the company needs ready resources with updated skills. Therefore, the company has to necessarily train you in order to increase your competency level and to cater to its business needs.

Getting Attention
When you work on a project in a pure play technical writing company, you will notice that there is a greater possibility of getting the required attention and time from the subject matter experts and reviewers, especially when they are at the client’s end. How is that possible? The client has a budget for every technical writing assignment. Any delay in completing the assignment means an increase in the cost for the client. To avoid such instances, in most cases, the client shows a greater commitment of helping you complete your assignment on time by providing you with timely inputs and feedback.

Becoming Versatile
The more versatile you are, the more you are in demand. A pure play technical writing company gives you an opportunity to work on a variety of projects. You get to document software, write white papers, case studies, and marketing collaterals, develop content for corporate Websites, and develop e-learning courses. In short, you get a flavour of the different kinds of projects that the technical communications field has to offer.

Con

Getting Stereotyped
This is exclusively applicable to those who may want to change or expand their job profile after a stint in technical writing. For example, you may want to be an instructional designer or a project manager. Since, you would have worked for a pure play technical writing company, as compared to say an e-learning company or a software company, employers may stereotype you to be skilled primarily in technical writing. In most cases, they may even associate you with only documentation of software applications.

Published in INDUS, the awarding winning magazine of STC India.