Re: Arguments not to use

[Michael LaTorra <mikel -at- ACCUGRAPH -dot- COM>]

I have to second John Gear's position about arguments NOT to use for
justifying the value of technical communicators.  It may work in the
short run to portray yourself, the tech writer, as a cheap substitute
for the infinitely valuable engineer, who really could write better
documentation if he or she just had the time.  Many, perhaps most,
engineering managers believe this already.  But the truth is otherwise.
Those engineers, with very few exceptions, CANNOT write better
documentation than you can.  And if you sell yourself short, you'll
never stand tall.

Make positive arguments for the value added by someone who specializes
in communicating technical information.  The manager you're addressing
already knows that tech writers cost less than engineers; you don't
have to emphasize the point.

If we want respect as a profession, we have to respect ourselves.


Live long & prosper,
Mike LaTorra

Documentation Supervisor
Accugraph Inc.
mikel -at- accugraph -dot- com
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The opinions expressed are my own, ][ "The superstitions of intellectuals
and not necessarily those of my    ][  are still superstitions -- and they
company -- but they probably       ][  have a lot of them.  The real ques-
should be.                         ][  tion is why we keep listening to
                                   ][  them after their nostrums have
                                   ][  failed time and time again."
                                   ][   -- Thomas Sowell
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