Category Archives: Office Politics

Playing Nicely With Subject Matter Experts

Posted on April 20, 2013 by

I gave this talk today at the 2013 STC Rocket City Technical Communication Conference. Perhaps it will be of some use to you. When Working with SMEs Goes Badly I began my talk with a couple of Subject Matter Expert … Continue reading →

Posted in clients, documents, Office Politics, personal, technical writing, workplace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Silly Season Politics

Posted on October 5, 2012 by

I am usually of the sort who avoids politics in polite company. I’ve even made strenuous efforts to avoid it on Facebook, which is not easy these days. I know which side I favor, and I know that I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Office Politics, personal | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Writing in the Corporate Voice

Posted on July 14, 2012 by

Regardless of what sort of materials you write, you have to select or acquire a style that fits the personality of the individual or organization on whose behalf it’s being written. Style is one of those things that’s hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in audience, Office Politics, technical writing, workplace | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Basic Ethics for the Technical Communicator

Posted on June 16, 2012 by

Like most people, when I get cranky I can be tempted to make less-than-wise decisions. This is not a good idea. Ethics are central to a writer’s trade because if we are not ethical in how we handle ourselves and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Office Politics, philosophy, technical writing, workplace | Tagged | 1 Comment

Email, Call, Telecon, or F2F?

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

I know people who love to call and attend meetings. I am not one of those people. I also know people who will go to nearly any length to avoid a meeting–okay, I’m not that bad, but I’ve had my … Continue reading →

Posted in meetings, Office Politics, personal, workplace | Leave a comment

Protocol

Posted on April 2, 2012 by

“You know what the chain of command is? It’s the chain I beat you with until you understand who’s in ruttin’ command!” –Jayne Cobb, Firefly I learn a lot of things–scratch that, most things–the hard way. Such was the case … Continue reading →

Posted in Office Politics, workplace | Leave a comment