coming in the doc door: power and influence - kathleen pierce
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Coming in the Doc Door: Power and Influence - Kathleen PierceTRANSCRIPT
Coming in the Doc Door:An Unusual Route to Power and InfluenceKathleen PierceDirector, Commercial Content OperationsIllumina
1995
2000
20052010
2015
Tech Writing
Marketing Content
Localization
CMS and DITA
Instructional Design
UI Design
Quality Systems
Global Business Performance
Data Mining
Commercial Content Management
Usability Testing
Sales EnablementSupply Chain
Customer Experience
Become Known
Executives do four things
Increase revenue
Decrease cost
Manage risk
Drive corporate
goals
Key Insight
Use Writing to Get in the Door
ISO Certification
Printing Costs and Supply Chain
M&A Integration
Writers NetworksEnterprise Metadata and Taxonomy
(Master Data Management)
Quality Program
Globalization and Localization
After you’re in, talk like an executive, not like a writer
Form Coalitions
Not This
Not in executive language
Only about one function
No monetary impact
No clear request
But ThisProblem StatementCost to CompanyOpportunityStakeholdersWhy Now?ProposalResource RequestSuccess Metrics
Customer Solutions
Product MarketingQuality/Regulatory
Technical Writing
Use standard corporate processes
Solve Their Problems, Not Yours
Familiar format
Specific request
Clear, relevant benefits
Pitch and Manage Projects
After the Conference
Cool Software!
Don’t Talk About Your Function
If you talk like a writer, you will not get corporate funding.
Not interesting to executives
No financial analysis
No clear request
Money is the language of business. Speak it.
Show How This Can Help Them
Sponsor• Can say yes• Get their
commitment
Influencers• Can’t say yes,
but can say no• Get their
support
Demonstrate Influence
Users• No decision-
making power• Get their
enthusiasm
A-Team• Drive success• Get their
expertise
Remember to report results!
Be a Problem-Solver
Speak the language of executivesUse writing to get in the doorThink beyond your own functionForm coalitionsKnow your financials
…for Executives
