de Stricker

Telling it like it is

In a recent blog post, Dave Pollard comes right out and "nails" what ails the information profession.  It's well worth a visit and a reflection: http://blogs.salon.com/0002007/2006/12/20.html#a1732  I took the opportunity to thank him for the piece and look forward to hearing more as he examines the matter further: What can be done to overcome what I call the "obscurity challenge" - the fact that in spite of our efforts to demonstrate value, many senior managers and executives remain unaware or unconvinced that information professionals are critical success factors in the successful operation of their organizations?

Are we relevant? In a timely manner?

Some years ago, I wrote an article entitled "Keep Me Posted - But Not Too Much" (dealing with scientists' current awareness preferences).  In just about every project I do, I see evidence of that sentiment.  People simply do not want information that is not directly actionable, that does not make a difference in current projects, or that does not somehow impart a concrete advantage - right now.  The implication?  We need to show up at just the right moment with something bang-on relevant to what the client is in the middle of doing.  Which means, of course, that we need to be on top of what they are doing … so we can become the "human Googles" they need us to be.