Re: Writers job description/definition

Subject: Re: Writers job description/definition
From: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: SB <sylvia -dot- braunstein -at- gmail -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:37:21 -0500

> Well, yes, it is true. I was ... overwhelmed a year ago and am still
> overwhelmed. I don't have management skills and there is no clear job
> description neither for him nor for me.

Define the roles yourself (note, not "yourselves"). There are many
good books out there that help you discover what "management skills"
are. There's no mysticism in management, it's mostly common sense
combined with self-discipline to apply it immediately and repeatedly.

> The company has transitioned from
> startup to a full-blown company. Procedures are unclear and it is a
> difficult process.

If they're not defined, define them, document them, and punt to your
area leaders to roll out.

> So yes, maybe this is a sick environment and yes, maybe I
> am at fault and unfit, and yes, maybe the freelancer is not responsible for
> what is going on, except that when you tell someone that there is a
> deadline, I believe that this is pretty clear, isn't it?

And the consequence for not meeting the deadline is...? The
environment isn't sick. Every company goes through growing pains. The
trick is to work through them via adaptation.

> So, yes, the problem is probably mine in many ways. I have decided to go to
> my boss and ask him for a specific job description and a definition of my
> responsibilities.

You should, instead, draft up your own position on the matter and run
it by him with a "does this sound good to you?" It sounds like you're
more informed about what you need to be doing than he is, so why leave
it to him to define your role?

> I have been thinking on and off about leaving this crazy place, only I keep
> hoping that things will get better (beaten woman syndrome?). Thanks to
> advice I got on this forum overtime, it got the strength to fight for
> improvement and things are happening. They are slow but they are happening.

It may be crazy, but then again it may just need proactive people to
work at making it sane. Honestly, if you're not given what you need,
make it happen yourself. And always remember where the grass is always
greener...

(... over the septic tank)

--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
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References:
Writers job description/definition: From: SB
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: Gene Kim-Eng
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: SB
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: Caroline Tabach
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: SB
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: Ken Poshedly
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: Gene Kim-Eng
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: SB
RE: Writers job description/definition: From: Victoria Wroblewski
Re: Writers job description/definition: From: SB

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