Agencies to avoid-Boston-Toronto STC

["techwriter -at- prescienttech -dot- com" <techwriter -at- PRESCIENTTECH -dot- COM>]

>Subject:       STC Toronto Job Interviews - Boston
>Consulting Opportunities -  Boston Metro Area

>Knowledge Transfer International (KTI), is the leading knowledge
management consulting firm.............................

If you do approach this firm, do so cautiously.

This company used to
 be called DDI and was located in Fresh Pond area of, Cambridge. They used to
chew people up as a contract placement agency, now they are trying to
 "Capture the revenue" by bidding on the projects themselves and
putting people out in the field with no real support, training, team
development, etc.  I don't believe the original owner, Russ Squires,
has any affiliation with the company anymore.

Be very careful of firms that try to play both sides of the fence.

DDI/KTI had a pretty sleazy reputation about two years ago. I
interviewed with them once -- never again. The personnel knew nothing
about the technology industry and  even less about technical writing.
I wouldn't trust them to manage a project. They are a body shop, with
little interest or knowledge about documentation. KTI picked up
a couple of senior tech writers and put them on staff as "project
managers,"  but  the organization lacks cohesion. I cannot comment on
whether or not KTI has delivered on promises made to clients or
whether they actually have the capabilities to organize and manage a
documentation project today.

KTI  will regard you as a warm body it can bill-out -- it. won't
respect you as a skilled craftsman or professional.

Without even having a job on the table to  discuss, they tried to lock me into an
hourly rate. They then spent  the remainder of the interview trashing
my credentials to pressure me to lower my rates -- and that's without
even having any discussion about what the jobs would be, the skills
required, level of difficulty, experience, looking at writing samples, etc.

Other STC members and TW contractors in Boston related similar
experiences.  It's a weird outfit.  Maybe because of the recession some agencies
 thought they could treat
would-be contractors or employees cavalierly. But the bad times are over, and we
can now pick our agencies more carefully.

Now to be fair, there has been a change in their ranks. Some of the
worst offenders at KTI left the company, so maybe those who are there
now treat employees and interviewees with more respect.  However,
knowing a little of the history may help you if you do decide to
interview with them.


Date:          Thu, 8 May 1997 13:28:46 -0400
From:          KTINY -at- AOL -dot- COM
Subject:       STC Toronto Job Interviews - Boston

Consulting Opportunities -  Boston Metro Area

Knowledge Transfer International (KTI), is the leading knowledge management
consulting firm specializing in customized documentation, training, and
performance support services.  For years we have been recognized for our
cutting-edge solutions that support our clients in improving individual and
operational performance.  KTI is currently expanding its full-time permanent
consulting staff.

We will be interviewing to staff the following positions at the STC
conference in Toronto.

Software Technical Writers (Multiple Positions):

* Candidates should possess 4+ years experience developing end-user and/or
systems documentation.
* Knowledge of networking (LAN/WAN), telecommunications, UNIX and
client/server environments preferred.
* Online help/Hypertext experience (Doc-to-Help, RoboHelp, ForeHelp)
* Intranet and computer-based training development experience
* Web content development with HTML
* Ability  to produce quality material under deadlines is required

To schedule an interview, please contact David Tonkin or Nicole Bressler at
(212) 355-8080 prior to the conference or at the Toronto Marriott Eaton
Centre (416) 597-9200 during the conference.


KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL
125 CambridgePark Drive
Cambridge, MA  02140
(617) 864-7300
Email:  KTIBOSTON -at- aol -dot- com

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