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Re: Okay all you independent contractors: hit the bricks with THI S
Subject:Re: Okay all you independent contractors: hit the bricks with THI S From:"Michael West" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- net -dot- au> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 9 Jul 2003 08:11:48 +1000
> A Person (name deleted at said Person's request) wrote:
>
> >
> >Editors and tech writers ultimately commoditize information. As such, there is
> >a perception, in some circles, of reduction in value when information is
> >commoditized. Hence, in such industries tech writers may be seen as detrimental
> >to business.
>
> I know I'm new around here, but that is patently ridiculous. Understanding is
> not important? If you don't make what you're doing understandable, you have no
> customers, no partners, and in the end, no employees. (It's a classic case of
> "information hoarding".)
No, I think the Person is right. He must be a consultant.
I think the Person you're quoting gives an accurate
portrayal of the "real" unreality of the consulting game.
"Smoke and mirrors" are an important part of
the consulting game. Take them away, as a good
editor is inclined by instinct to do, and what do you
have left?
I produced a series of employee handbooks for
a client while employed by a consulting firm. The
client was pleased with the result -- the books were
easy to understand and use. My employer was not
so happy -- they fought the whole process every step
of the way because I was "simplifying" their highly-
priced mumbo-jumbo and turning it into common sense.
So was I successful? I think so. My audience thought so.
My employers didn't -- we had a "career discussion"
and I was gone soon after. And the client wanted to hire
me back!
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