RE: Delegating (was: Working later than the boss)

["Sharon Burton" <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>]

Hey, Jim! Say hey to Steph and you still owe me dinner.

My thought? Have the new writers shadow you. Take them to meetings with you
so they can start taking those same notes. Have them edit the stuff you're
writing for the things they attended. Ask their thoughts for what's missing,
etc, with the stated intention that they will be taking over X for the Y
group shortly. The goal is to get people comfortable with the new writers
and the new writers comfy with the new role.

Do this for a week. Then start letting the writers write the stuff. Add
additional time to the schedules for the writers to learn as they do.
Prepare yourself for helping them during this time. Also - be aware that the
entire effort of your writing group will slow down for about a month while
everyone learns.

Any training that your company may offer in tools or technology will help
during this time as well.

You can't just dump stuff on people. They will fail or at least struggle a
lot and then everyone loses credibility.

Finally, don't bunk the new writers with the most unhappy and mentally ill
employee. I think we can both say from bitter experience that's not going to
work well! ;-)

sharon

Sharon Burton
CEO, Anthrobytes Consulting
951-369-8590
www.anthrobytes.com


-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+sharon=anthrobytes -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+sharon=anthrobytes -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On
Behalf Of James Barrow
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 7:39 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Delegating (was: Working later than the boss)



So how does one go from flying solo to flying in formation? ;^)  Should I
take the time to type my meeting notes so that the new resource can convert
these to requirements?  Should I just dump all of the information in their
laps and say 'call me if you have any questions'?

Does anyone have any general advice on how to get new hires up-to-speed?

Thanks,

Jim

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.