Another successful Friday Breakfast hosted by Sue Hill at Roast was attended by a wide-awake group of professionals eager to solve the mystery of where does the ‘new’ information worker fit? With deerstalker in hand, a sturdy magnifying glass poring over the evidence this group of ‘sleuths’ endeavoured to discuss Who are ( the ‘new’ information workers) they? Do they really exist?
A lively discussion amongst the group confirmed that there were new information workers who had ridden the crest of the wave, taken risks on how to deploy their skills and that in many cases the more ‘traditional’ information worker was in danger of being marginalised. Burying heads in the sand, fiddling whilst Rome burned and the other usual proverbs that come to mind are pertinent in how some information workers approach the changes that are happening around us. It was even suggested that the profession had/was dying!
An interesting observation that when explored further unearthed the collective view that the ‘profession’ has a real opportunity in the current economic climate to claim back or even poach key business projects. One theme that continued from the last breakfast was that of Risk. With compliance and regulatory matters in the spotlight it is becoming increasingly important for organisations to address their strategies, policies and procedures for an enterprise’s records. The skills that are inherent to an information worker are sought after, can be transferable and often buried deep.
Unashamedly celebrate the skills, exploit them and speak out on why you are venturing into unknown territory to use those skills. In seeing yourself as a ‘Business or Project Manager’ it becomes clearer as to how you can move into other functional areas. The key message I took out of the discussions was that take heart, embrace change, promote yourself and go after the opportunities that your skills and strengths play to.
Please check out Tim Buckley Owen's blog on the breakfast meeting.
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