The AIA (American Institute of Architects) does something that I wish ARMA International would do: they advertise. They have a series of radio commercials of the theme "Hire an Architect." The commercials point out the various reasons it is better to have a professional architect design your building than not. Not just in terms of quality of product, but also to meet regulatory requirements, and even how good architecture will help the function of the operations that will take place in the building better succeed (education, healthcare). They're good commercials, and ARMA should do the same thing.

Gary Link, CRM 
Corporate Records Manager
Astorino
227 Fort Pitt Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
412.765.1700 
412.765.1711 Fax
www.astorino.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Roach, Bill J. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 6:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] Interesting Observation


Greetings,

I just returned from attending FileNet's America's UserNet 2006, in
Dallas, TX.  I found the conference both informative and troubling.
Upcoming improvements in technology and increase recognition of the
business value of records management was exciting to see.

On the other hand, I was very disappointed in the number of
organizations I talked with that we looking for someone to lead the
electronic RM effort.  Several stated that they had actively looked for
someone, only to be told that there was no interest by RM (we handle
paper) or RM was not qualified (they are the folks in the basement).  In
every case, the folks at the conference expressed their concern that
they knew their organization was at risk, but did not know where to
turn.

So my questions to the list are this:
1. What does it take to get Records Managers (we handle paper) up to the
plate?

2. How do Records Managers (they are the folks in the basement) capture
the attention of management that they can be of more value than just
being an early warning system for a broken pipe?

3. How long will there be Records Managers if we don't figure out how to
do 1 & 2 above very quickly?

Bill R

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance