"empowering writers with a killer career path" by sue warnke & seth katz,...
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by Salesforce Doc Director and Lead Writer for STC Summit 2014 on defining a documentation career path that empowers doc teams. Context: Insufficient focus on career development is a common complaint among technical writers. Salesforce Documentation director Sue Warnke and lead writer Seth Katz provide an in-depth view of the Salesforce Documentation Career Path and discuss actions writers can pursue to demonstrate eligibility for the next level in their career. Developed from the ground up, the Salesforce Doc Career Path features: * Transparent expectations * Specific action items * A comprehensive definition of the roles and responsibilities of technical writers * Graphical categories and charts Learn in-depth details about what today’s technical writers really do and how they contribute to your organization. Speakers: Sue Warnke, Seth KatzTRANSCRIPT
Empowering Writers With a Killer Career Path
•Sue Warnke, Director, Documentation •Seth Katz, Lead Writer, Documentation•[email protected] @suewarnke in/susanwarnke •[email protected] #stc14
Sue Warnke Documentation Director
Seth Katz Lead Writer
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
We are renaissance team members
We write, edit, illustrate, code,test, design interfaces, and
provide product management
We collaborate with product development, infrastructure engineering, Support, QA, Technical Marketing, and
many other groups
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
But we don’t do all that on our first day
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Salesforce.com has created a roadmap detailing the path from beginner to advanced technical writer.
You can use it, too.
What about you?
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
How Saleforce.com Developed Our Tech Writing Career Path
Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.
[I]f I had planned out my career…I would have missed my
career.
--Sheryl Sandberg
“
”
Research
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Breakdown of Skills
ContentCreation
40%
Impact25%
Collab- oration
20%
Innova-tion15%
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Salesforce.com Tech Writing Career Path
There will be a test
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Content Creation
Impact
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Innovation
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Collaboration
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
How you spend your time
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
% Favorable
May 2012 May 2013 Jan 2014 Trend61% 78% 78% Steady
“I understand what is required to get to the next level”
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
% Favorable
May 2012 May 2013 Jan 2014 Trend80% 85% 90% UP
“My manager understands my career objectives and is helping me toward them.”
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
How do we implement it?
• Regularly!• Budget (training, books, whatever you need)• Frequent, lightweight feedback• Frequent recognition• Strength Assessments• Mentoring • Opportunity Open Market
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”
Finding your path
What’s next? • Share with your department, your organization• Start the conversation with your manager• Ask: What are your strengths?
#stc14 @suewarnke “Empowering Writers with a Killer Career Path”