Re: This too is technical communication

["Pro TechWriter" <pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Hmm, sounds like IBM likes tech writers--maybe I should peruse their job
board! ;-)

On 6/5/07, richard -dot- melanson -at- us -dot- tel -dot- com <richard -dot- melanson -at- us -dot- tel -dot- com> wrote:
>
> You guys think $375,999.00 is enough to get a companies attention?? I
> worked at a semiconductor company for 19 years and IBM held this amount back
> until we had the PM Manuals and Op Manuals updated. I was assigned the
> project and was under some MAJOR scrutiny both internally and at IBM. IBM
> then reviewed the manuals before releasing the money for payment. So is
> Technical Writing important, sure as hell is at IBM.
>
> Rick
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+richard -dot- melanson=us -dot- tel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com[mailto:
> techwr-l-bounces+richard -dot- melanson=us -dot- tel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
> Of Kevin Amery
> Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 2:17 PM
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: This too is technical communication
>
> On 6/5/07, Pinkham, Jim <Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com> wrote:
> > With all due deference to those who believe
> > otherwise, I don't think the fact that it's not the sole or chief
> > determinant of an initial choice to buy a product is really the point.
> >
>
> It was pointed out earlier that companies who don't make a point of
> doing better with their documentation now won't change until it starts
> affecting their revenues. If documentation isn't something that
> customers use to determine which product to buy, then these companies
> aren't going to see any reason to change--therefore, they'll continue
> to hire TWs based on their rates or other criteria rather than the
> quality of docs they produce.
>
> > Customers come into
> > Best Buy (to revisit that example) more often than you might suspect to
> > complain about indecipherable or internally inconsistent instructions.
>
> Sure, but Best Buy didn't produce the docs, and the manufacturer
> already got the sale. No impetus for change there.
>
> > Savvy manufacturers recognize this and the best work hard to
> > intentionally make their documentation as clear, uncomplicated, and
> > user-friendly as possible.
>
> Absolutely, but the original point was "why can't we get rid of bad
> documentation?" Answer, because some (too many) companies *don't* see
> it as an investment in their profitability.
>
> It's a bit like the Dilbert where Dilbert tells the boss that he's
> found a way to save the company a billion dollars for an initial cost
> of ten thousand. The boss denies the request because the ten thousand
> comes out of his budget and the one billion will get credited to
> another department.
>
> --
> Until next time...
>
> Kevin Amery
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-- 
PT
pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com
I'm a Technical Technical Writer!
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
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Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
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True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
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