Free Pizza and a Tour!

by Lisa Carbaugh

SWO STC members returned to Miamisburg for their final meeting before summer break. O’Neil & Associates, located at 495 Byers Road, were our hosts providing our meeting room, dinner, and a tour of their facility. After some networking, receiving some O’Neil marketing materials and a really neat spiral notebook (you should have been there!), about 20 STC members and O’Neil representatives enjoyed pizza and beverages before the meeting.

Outgoing 2007-2008 SWO STC President Jean Fudge opened the meeting thanking our hosts. Announcements to consider into a new SWO STC year included:

• Regional conference at Cedarville University – (November 8, 2008)
• Volunteer positions
  • Open officer slots
  • Employment
  • Web master
  • Program committee
  • Membership chairperson
• Summer planning meeting – July 26 (open to all)

Jean then presented awards to active members based on a point-system that included showing up for meetings, bringing guests, and participating. Awardees received their choice of Amazon or Best Buy gift certificates. There’s a creative side to Jean too as she then presented various computer graphic inspired ribbon awards to officers, committee members, speakers, and volunteers who helped throughout the year. As with many organizations, the same names kept coming up of those who served in multiple areas.

Incoming SWO STC President, Louise Tincher, presented Jean with flowers and a gift from the chapter for her service this year. Please contact Louise and ask what you can do for the upcoming 2008-2009 year. There are many jobs both large and small which open up opportunities for professional growth and new friendships. [No guilt intended…well just a little.]

After a short break, Tom Milligan, VP at O’Neil & Associates introduced SWO STC members to what their company offers its military, aerospace, and industrial clients through integrated product support in technical information development.

Since its beginnings in 1947, O’Neil has grown to 300 employees who have a vested interest in the company through its stock option plan. The corporate culture expressed emphasizes the employees to think like owners, provide promotion opportunities, and encourage friendly service. “Customers are only as happy as the employees that serve them.” Perhaps this philosophy prompts O’Neil to provide the motivation and support to employees to empower them to better serve their clients.

Two young technicians at O’Neil presented a Web site developed for equipment dealers to better support their customers. Parts and service manuals, graphic schematics with bidirectional hot spots (yes, it was that cool), updates, and translations were just part of the support offered through this site.

A brief question and answer session followed. We then broke into two groups to tour the facility. After getting through the cubicle maze, we were guided through a demonstration of some of the e-learning capabilities developed at O’Neil. Through another hall, past the fitness center, we came to a room full of washing machines and other home appliances in various states of disassembly. O’Neil provides support to GE Appliances by producing and maintaining monthly updates of their Illustrated Parts Catalog on CD. In 2000, GE Appliances put out to bid the outsourcing of their technical publications. O’Neil won the contract and develops GE appliance technical service guides. In both areas, O’Neil has reduced costs for GE. There’s much more to what O’Neil & Associates develops than what we had time to see on the tour. You can find out more at www.oneil.com.

A Night to Change History

by Lisa Carbaugh

Historic Peerless Mill Inn in Miamisburg was the setting for the chapter’s November 14th dinner-meeting. The program was lively: conversations with successful entrepreneurs who shared information about survival skills, personal and professional development, and what it takes to run your own business.

Lynne Stamper

The evening’s discussion was moderated by consultant and former SWO-STC chapter member, Lynne Stamper. After being downsized, Lynne built her business around the answers to two questions:

• What do I love to do?
• What do I never want to do again?

She shared the following tips for success:

• Honesty – tell the truth to clients.
• Timeliness – return those calls and emails.
• Trustworthiness – maintain the privacy of individuals and companies; it’s essential.
• Risk-taking – make a change when you’re in a rut.

The moderator then introduced the evening’s speaker’s in order.

Richard Meier/Orion Communications

Based on his 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, publications, Web site design, and ad agency work, Richard shared his insights about the effects of recent technological change on the English language–our stock in trade. The number of English words has grown to over 1 million, with many new additions technologically based.

His key points (ten plus one) were:

1. Stay current. Learn your language well and always avoid common errors.
2. Know your competition. Then you can position yourself against them by understanding your own unique qualifications.
3. Know your audience. Learn as much as possible about potential clients. Know the companies and the industry. Study their brochures, articles, Web sites.
4. Ask open-ended questions. Get more information.
5. Listen. A good writer should be a good listener.
6. Discover your USP (Unique Selling Proposition).
    
7. Be yourself. Write to solve a problem not to please.
    
8. Demonstrate your expertise. Provide samples, utilize a Web site, share successes. 
9. Sell communications as a commodity. Estimate based on your hourly rate and mark up to provide your client with a price. 
10. Sell yourself.
11. Don’t let them see you sweat.

Barbara (B.J.) Moore/President, Lida Ray Technologies

When you compete in the male-dominated arenas of strategic planning, project management, defense engineering and computer technology, it’s sometimes better to be known as B.J. rather than Barbara. Her successful 29-year run as an entrepreneur is certainly encouraging for women business owners.

B.J. discussed one of her specialties: turnaround management–determining if a project or company can be salvaged. Here are some of her tips:

• Always tell the truth, even when it is bad news. When the customer can expect truthful communication from you, it reduces fear and increases their loyalty to your company. And the resulting repeat and referral business lowers marketing costs by minimizing the need for extensive advertising.
• Even when you come in as an outsider with the authority to "chop out dead wood," she says, there is a right way to treat people–especially people faced with layoffs right before the holidays. "It’s not what you do but how you do it." Communicate and hear what employees have to say.
• Providing resume workshops, job recruiters, and job search tools helpreduce the stress of the pink slip. . Though a difficult period for many, leaving a project that held no enthusiasm or happiness actually led to positive job opportunities for many of the individuals affected.
• Remember is that common sense is certainly not common. So, applying some common sense can make you a miracle worker.

Finally, if you think consulting is a glamorous job you’re going to be disappointed. Do what excites you – for B.J. that means fixing what seems broken beyond repair! Find your enthusiasm in doing what you love.

Tim Hrastar/Rapport Marketing

Rapport Marketing’s tagline is Helping Good Lawyers become BETTER Lawyers. What better opening for a couple of lawyer jokes? All kidding aside, Tim, an entrepreneur since 1976, has created a company that fills a communication need for a highly professional clientele. His services include coaching, consulting, and conducting professional workshops. He tells his clients:

• There is no correlation between value and the number of hours on a job. Charge what the market will bear. The client isn’t interested in an hourly rate – what will the total cost be?
• Sell the value the client will receive for the price you charge. For difficult or disagreeable clients, you might consider adding in a ‘hassle’ fee. If they don’t buy it, fine – but if they do, the additional revenue makes it easier to work with them.
• Differentiate your USP. Coming back to a previously discussed topic –your Unique Selling Proposition, Tim emphasized that it’s not enough to do good work. Create a Personal Focus Statement. This forces you to think about what you do. What do you do well? Lead with your strengths and get people to ask for more. Don’t fall into the trap of focusing on your weaknesses.

He made these additional points:

• Log face time with your client. Never give up. Plan to get business but be persistent and patient. Rejection is not failure it’s a learning experience. In an urgent climate you may get the business in 20 minutes; a potential client in growth mode doesn’t have anything pressing at that moment; a complacent potential client may have no use for what you have to offer. They don’t need your service at that moment and it may be years before they do.
• Be enthusiastic. Have a passion for what you do. Get excited about getting the business. This will help sustain you during down times.
• Be yourself. Be genuine. Create and maintain trust.
• Never stop learning.. Constant and continuing self-education prepares you for bigger projects and leads to greater confidence. Rapport Marketing’s Web site has a Free Tools tab which provides links to communication and business development resources that can help you acquire the knowledge you need to be successful.

All-in-All…

It was a fine evening with a delicious meal, excellent service, and an opportunity to network with new people and old friends. The tips and encouragement shared by the panel members may have generated entrepreneurial sparks that will lead other STC members to business ownership. Perhaps a few of our attendees will take that historic step and share their experiences at a future SWO STC meeting.

WHO’S CHANGING THE RULES?

by Lisa Carbaugh

The October 17th event for the Southwestern Ohio Chapter of STC brought members and guests together in the historic city of Lebanon. The coffee shop setting at Common Grounds on Main Street offered a comfortable atmosphere while being fully wired to accommodate the evening’s guest speaker, Thea Teich, as she led us through the presentation, When Did Google Become a Verb?

Highlighting the constant evolution of language buffeted with text messaging shortcuts, new word inventions, and grammar rule breaking, Thea used her extensive experience and humor to lead attendees through the maze of obstacles facing communication authorities in the Too-Much-Information Age. Her presentation made some telling points for technical communicators.

• Despite a long list of new word entries in the dictionary which produced a few cringes in the audience, many new words are useful and meaningful in that they lead to faster, more succinct understanding.
• We’re technical communicators. Our companies should expect us to provide guidelines for bringing in new vocabulary and accepting new standards.
• As communication decision makers, we can lead the way in communicating with style consistency.
• It is our job to recognize and embrace what is good and discard what adds only confusion and misinterpretation.

In May, Thea gave this presentation (then titled "Myths and Trends in the Changing English Language") at the 54th Annual STC Conference in Minneapolis. Those of you who weren’t able to attend this meeting can find that presentation at .

Be sure to let other professionals know about the Southwestern Ohio Chapter of STC. It’s great that the Web site can lead potential members to STC, but sharing the membership benefits of networking, meeting events, education and more can certainly introduce fellow communicators to this valuable organization. Our next event, a panel discussion about"Survival Skills for Technical Communicators," will offer tips and techniques for bearers of the red pen (literally and electronically). It’s the perfect opportunity for you to invite a guest! Be sure to register, mark the evening of Wednesday, November 14th, and join us at the Peerless Mill Inn in Miamisburg.

Remember to register early for December’s night—White Christmas at La Comedia. The registration and payment deadline is November 5th.

See you next month!

If It’s Free, Is It Worth Downloading?

by Lisa Carbaugh

The Southwestern Ohio Chapter of STC opened the 2007-2008 program schedule on September 19 at Tom Katz Dining and Spirits Dining in Springboro. After the summer break, sixteen STC members and guests enjoyed rekindling old friendships and making new ones over a casual dinner.

Welcome and Introductions

Jean Fudge, Chapter President, kicked off the new year with a warm welcome. She introduced Chapter Secretary Karen Stille; Program committee members Sylvia Miller, Kathryn Reynolds, and Thea Teich; Employment Lead Louise Tincher; and Newsletter Editor Judy Harper.

Additional Chapter volunteers are still needed:

• Membership Coordinator
• Watchdog for job postings in The Cincinnati Enquirer and Dayton Daily News
• HTML guru assistance for the Chapter’s Web site

Judy Harper, editor of Between the Lines, asked members to submit articles and photos as well as ideas and suggestions for the Chapter’s online newsletter.

Judy also highlighted a need for judges in this year’s High School Technical Writing Competition. She asked members to support their local high school’s involvement and share the Web address (www.stc-swo.org/make-it-clear) for competition, entry, and judging information. Let’s encourage the next generation of technical communicators!

Program: Cool Tools for Technical Communicators

Jean led the evening’s presentation. She and Tom Staubitz compiled information about freeware, shareware, and low-cost software applications and utilities that perform tasks like printing, word processing, graphics, and screen capture.

Citing personal examples and responding to questions and feedback from attendees, Jean discussed more than a dozen Web sites worth checking out for tools that can make professional and personal work more productive at minimal cost.

Review the summary handout (with software descriptions and links) and evaluate the "cool tools" for yourself.

Coming Attractions

Jean announced that the SWO STC calendar for the remainder of 2007 has several dates to save.

• The October 17 program will address an issue responsible for many an editor’s sleepless night: When Did Google Become a Verb? The Changing Nature of the English Language.
• November 14 is a panel discussion: Survival Skills for Technical Communicators.
• December 12 is a special treat. Chapter members and guests can enjoy dinner and a musical at La Comedia in Springboro, where Irving Berlin’s White Christmas will put all in the holiday spirit. (Die-hard communication Scrooges can examine and discuss over coffee the main character’s inability to communicate effectively.) RSVP deadline for this special event is November 5, so be sure to register soon.