I have been a trainer, a technical writer, an information/learning system designer, a programmer, a global training manager, an academic technology consultant...if it smells of knowledge and skills consumption/training/staff development in corporate settings, I have probably done some version of it. These days, the closest I get to a title that approaches all that is "Content Engineer". I tend to prefer my 'laundry list' as it actually tells folks what I can do rather than my title, but unfortunately it does not fit on a title line with any style or grace. So, "Content Engineer" it is.My passion is designing and managing the creation of information/training systems (CMS, LMS, LCMS) that meet the needs of multiple users with multiple requirements - which sometimes conflict - while providing organizations and administrators with the most efficient and cost-effective solutions possible.I know that was a mouthful and it does sound a bit like magic. When I started out in this business, we were told to tell customers: "Faster, Better, Cheaper - pick any TWO"? And that used to be true. But using today's tools, coupled with object-oriented information design and modular reuse strategies, we can actually achieve what used to be considered unattainable.Personally, I prefer Arthur C. Clarke's third law:"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."I am in the business of such "magic"...which isn't really magic at all, just a willingness to push beyond the acceptable possible into what is considered impossible. I have been fortunate to have had many successes doing just that.I am a fervent advocate of "create once - use multiple times" and given the chance, I will automate any process my tools will allow. The less time people spend on repetitive tasks, the better. I also espouse the notion that content development (unless you are working on the next "War and Peace") is a SKILL not a TALENT. It can be taught, standardized, and commoditized. Training, on the other hand, IS a talent and should be nurtured and cherished.And like any professional in this corner of the industry, I prefer to work in 'virgin' territory (no legacy content, information, or published deliverables.). It allows the client to achieve cost and time targets very quickly. But opportunities with companies in a position to implement such systems are seldom found to be without legacy data and systems that must be re-engineered. The results are the same - they just take longer to deliver.So, in a nutshell - that's me.
Listed skills include Technical Writing, Training, Instructional Design, Course Creation, and 46 others.
