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Unless the business manufactures content, the ideal answer is, "Tech pubs is cost center that brings an excellent ROI in the form of reduced tech support calls and increased customer satisfaction. The salesmen also love to use the documentation as a sales tool."
If you actually manufacture and sell books, then the right answer is, "revenue generator".
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Keith Hood
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2013 4:17 PM
To: Peter Neilson; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: An interview question
How would asking such a question be useful? I can't imagine turning down a possible job because the answer isn't "right." And what is the "right" answer?
________________________________
From: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2013 3:53 PM
Subject: An interview question
Courtesy of Tech Republic I came across a question that one can ask when interviewing for a position. They suggests it for IT interviews. I've recast it for tech writing.
âIs the documentation effort seen as a revenue generator or a cost center in this organization?â
The answer, or even the foot-dragging involved in speaking an answer, can easily reveal more than anyone was prepared to tell you about how things really happen.
Whether to place the question to one's >>current<< management is left as an exercise for the reader.
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