Engineering the Future of Human Communicators: Working Outside of the Documentation Box –Another Way IPCC 2007 Engineering the Future of Human Communicators: Working Outside of the Documentation Box –Another Way Presented by Judith M. Herr Well Chosen Words

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 2 Bump – Bump - Bump: Another Way? Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isnt. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne, 1926

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 3 Overview The Encouraging Exercise© Matching current skills, experience, training to potential work Examples for researchers and academics, practitioners, and students Successful transitions

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 4 Beyond documentation Supporting the war effort required investment in training.

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 5 Inventory: We know how to… Communicate effectively Ferret out the message Analyze audiences Select tools and innovate Manage projects, teams, and the boss Lead, persuade, cajole, charm, collaborate – foster teamwork – balance high tech/high touch – embrace change!

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 6 Inventory: We know how to… Communicate effectively; manage efficiently Corporate handbooks; procedures; technical documents Handbooks and manuals Management, quality, and safety plans Client and corporate web sites Proposals and marketing materials Presentations – design, coach, deliver

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 7

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 8 Inventory: We know how to… Ferret out and shape the message Reflect industry standards, corporate/ product knowledge Interview scientists and engineers Project big picture, achieve objectives, encompass technical scope When the schedule slips…

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 9 Inventory: We know how to… Analyze Audiences Demographics, expertise, motivation Small group dynamics Honor and reflect cultural differences Senior management style & buy-in?

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 10 Beyond documentation [Garment Manufacturer] Global Restricted Substances List GRSL COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING Internal Document Winter

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 11 Inventory: We know how to… Select tools and actions Broadcast ; blog, listserv, forum; knowledge mgmt. tools; webinaires Presentations & workgroup sessions Hardcopy newsletters; brown bag seminars Volunteer projects; events

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 12 Manage projects, teams, and bosses Project Newsletter

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 13 Manage Projects. Teams, and Bosses Strategies for managing up 1.Apply expertise in use of high tech tools 2.Information capture, mapping, editing 3.Do the dirty and silly work too 4.Sell tech. comm. – revenue producers 5.Interview, design, write mass media copy

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 14 Manage projects, teams, and bosses Strategies for managing up 6.Detail-oriented, intensive, quick turnaround team efforts 7.Training and motivation 8.Audience analysis, PR, and grasp of corporate culture 9.Honed assertiveness skills from dealing with SMEs 10.Community literacy outreach

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 15 Beyond documentation Managing to Win: Preparing Proposals 101 © Flow Chart of the Proposal Process

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 16 Beyond documentation Proposal Team at Work

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 17 Manage projects, teams, and bosses : System Architects and High School Students

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 18 Inventory: We know how to… Lead, persuade, cajole, charm, collaborate … Lead, persuade, cajole, charm, collaborate -- foster teamwork -- balance high tech/high touch – embrace change! As Staff or Volunteer… Professional association Chamber of Commerce 4-H projects for fair Post Katrina effort

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October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 20 Analyze project requirements/audiences Multi-task Interview subject matter experts Conduct reviews Coordinate all stages of projects Design information to satisfy requirements Write, edit, coordinate, produce/distribute See the humor in the ironic Tell our powerful story! The Bottom of the Stairs: All you need is energy, enthusiasm, and ability to

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 21 Beyond documentation? Audience… Additional opportunities? Successful transitions? Lessons learned?

October 3, 2007 IPCC 2007 Judith Herr/Well Chosen Words 22 Setting out … Before beginning a long and arduous journey… The prudent traveler The less meticulous traveler The desperate traveler – bold, vulnerable, and determined Even the Stars Look Lonesome, Maya Angelou