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What you say about your writing is true. I, too, believe quality and
professionalism will win out in the end. However, the comparison with cars
goes further. You mention customer satisfaction; that applies to us, too.
However, this is very subjective and susceptible to advertising pressure.
For example, I've driven North American vehicles exclusively for close to
fifty years. I drive them hard. Some were on maintenance leases and I
really abused them. I never had any problems. I've been to Cuba where
they're driving positively ancient North American vehicles and they're still
going strong.
However, because of the strong publicity--"Ninety percent--or some such
number--of Volvo's are still on the road eleven years after they're made."
Nobody bothered with the fact, well more than 90% of North American cars
were still on the road as well! As a result of this anti-North American
bias, when there's a problem with a North American car, it's considered
junk, when there's a problem with a Japanese car, for instance, the owner
praises the wonderful service.
For this reason, we've got to counter any unfounded suggestions that there
are major benefits in outsourcing technical writing offshore. As I mentioned
in my first post, the thought that sending jobs abroad eventually helps the
economy is ludicrous. However, such statments are circulated. We've got to
push our own cases. We're better and we're better for the companies that
employ us.
Bruce
==============================================
Bruce Evans, M.D.
Family Physician and Technical Writer
"Authority founded on injustice is never of long duration."
-----Original Message-----
From: bryan johnson [mailto:bryan -dot- johnson -at- motoman -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 11:42 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com; bruce -dot- evans -at- sympatico -dot- ca
Subject: RE: FUNNY OFFSHORE STORY
I personally believe that I produce higher quality manuals than that
of my competition. This is what I strive for. If that does not hold
true over the years, my fate will be the same as that of Ford, GM,
and Chrysler.
When I look at the list of used cars Consumer Reports recommends
NOT buying, and see nothing but Ford, GM, and Chrysler. My
purchasing decision is made. These vehicles do not hold up over the
long haul. The Customer Satisfaction department reports few
complaints for manuals produced over the last five years. So I feel
my track record will hold for producing quality manuals. In
addition, the manuals for products produced five years ago are still
being ordered today, while the actual product is no longer
available.
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