TechCommGeekMom

Less than a year into her tenure as IBM’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michelle Peluso has announced that her thousands of marketing team members must now

Source: “Innovative” IBM Kills Working from Home | Bruce Kasanoff | Pulse | LinkedIn

Here’s another recent article that’s supporting why companies have to really reconsider the “all or nothing” approach to remote work and telecommuting. I think the arguments that the author of this article has made goes beyond costs. I know that moving to another area of the world (let alone my state or my country) is out of the question right now, so I depend on companies that are more willing to be open-minded and innovative to understand that I can contribute from where I am sitting in Central NJ just the same way that I would in their office. I really like the arguments made by Mr. Kasanoff in this article, and I hope other company executives pay attention to what he says here.

What do you think? Is this a compelling argument? Add your comments below.

Years ago pundits predicted that most white-collar employees would be working from home by now. Why isn’t that the case?

Source: The Real Reason You’re Not Allowed To Work From Home

I always enjoy Liz Ryan’s articles, and this is another gem.  All of the reasons that she’s listed here is exactly why the fear exists. Some of it is founded, but most of it isn’t founded. Managers don’t seem to always understand that people are not goofing off when they work remotely. Sure, they might be able to take a moment to rotate the laundry instead of a long coffee break, but what’s the harm in that? Most studies have shown that remote workers actually get more done and put more actual work time in than if they worked in the office in most cases. In a day and age when you can talk to anyone globally via Skype or similar conferencing tools, text, IM, email, or even phone someone, why restrict them and force them to come to the office if they are being productive and creating the output you need? I find this especially true for technical communicators, and I know this to be true of 99% of the work I’ve ever had to do.

What do you think? Include your comments below.

Adobe set out to uncover the latest hiring trends in UX design and the results point to one big conclusion: ‘UX designers’ are now as in demand as software engineers, and that demand is only going to increase.

Source: Hiring Trends in UX Design: The 6 Things You Need to Know About Tech’s Fastest Growing Field | Creative Cloud blog by Adobe

A good, short article put out by Adobe. In my short turn as a technical writer for a UX/UI Design team, I think one thing they appreciated about me was that I did have an understanding of how UX should work, and the information architect/UX designers were often open to suggestions. I often looked at their work as something I probably would’ve enjoyed doing if I had more experience on Axure or another wireframing tool. (Still playing with a few different ones when I have the chance.)

As technical writing become more and more visual, even with things like buttons to select or abridged text for mobile devices, having a strong UX foundation–even if you aren’t a UX designer–is pretty important these days. You don’t need to be a designer yourself to understand good design, just like you don’t have to be a painter or sculptor or writer to appreciate and understand good art or a good book.

When you have a chance, look into learning more. You’ll find it highly beneficial.

–TechCommGeekMom

Computers and software are taking over the world. Programming is now required in many jobs, and most students have free access to PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Many of the projected STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) jobs involve computers, and there is an increasingly high demand for employees who can write computer programs. This means that students should learn to code while still in school because it is the language of the future.

Source: Students Shoud Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future – The Edvocate

I don’t think I’ve posted this article before, but it does bear repeating if I did. I’ve posted some other articles to share that show that the future might be that blue-collar work could include understanding basic coding techniques. I can tell you from personal experience that understanding the basics of HTML changed my career entirely. It got me out of a customer/client services position into a higher paying, more fulfilling career in tech comm, and it continues to help me as I continue to learn. It amazes me that there are still a lot of millennials that don’t know this basic skill–they would’ve been the first generation to have a chance at learning this information, and yet, there are times that this skill has kept me employed or needed.  The thing is, the basics of HTML are so easy to learn!

Now, granted, not everyone is cut out to be a programmer. When I was a kid, the only way you became a programmer was either by becoming a math major with a concentration in computer science, or you learned it on your own. My husband, who has been a desktop and web developer for about 27 years, is one of those people who learned on his own. (But then again, he has the brain for it–his undergrad degree is in mechanical engineering.)  If the standards were different 30 years ago, I often wonder if I would’ve been a computer programmer/developer as well. I seem to have a knack for it. I started learning BASIC language when I was a teenager, but never made it that far through, since my parents weren’t as technically adept as I was or wanted to be. I don’t remember that much of it now. And since it wasn’t reinforced, and that math major thing loomed overhead, I went with my liberal arts degree in history instead. Many years later, it’s that HTML course that one of my employers let me take after I asked if he’d pay for it that has paid off now, so that I can combine my creative side with my more technical side.

As time progresses, this is something that will most likely be more prolific. There was a time when knowing Microsoft Office products was a hot thing. Now, my teenage son is a pro who’s been using it for years at school, and it’s something that many people do learn while they are still in school. Why can’t they learn some basic coding? Might be easier than doing Algebra 2 or Calculus, and more practical use of mathematical skills!

What do you think? Include your comments below.

–TechCommGeekMom

Wondering how to repurpose your existing eLearning materials? Check these 9 tips to Repurpose eLearning Content and use it time and again.

Source: 9 Tips To Repurpose eLearning Content | InfoPro Learning

The timing of this article is impeccable, as I’m currently working on writing up my first course, I’m trying to think ahead with the content strategist mind that I have, and figuring out this very topic in the process.  Many of the tips in here are good.

What do you think? Would you agree with the strategy displayed in this article? Include your thoughts in the comments section.

–TechCommGeekMom