1. Re:"However, it is true that some CRMs could use more experience with
electronic records."
What I meant is that there are still many CRMS and Records Managers in
general that are just beginning to get a mandate (and budget) to install an
ERM system software. They have attended a lot of courses and have pretty
good knowledge of e-records issues, but actual system and policy
implementation raises a lot of hands-on questions that require project
management skills and the ability to address organizational change issues.
These can get complicated with respect to impacts on organizations when
one's daily work habits are affected. For instance, management may ask
"since e-mails are already being journaled by the IT group to an 'archiving'
system, legal is capturing e-mails for litigation purposes to some
'litigation support' software, and many individuals still use PST files to
store their e-mails on their own drives, what is the best way to implement a
new ERM software with respect to email management - if we give you the
funding?". This is a typical corporate "RM" challenge where an
implementation plan will vary depending on many circumstances, technologies,
and priorities.
2. Re: "From my experience many companies are seeking someone who has an
intensive IT background with a smattering of records management experience.
This is evidenced by many of the job postings that I see in various job
postings."
True, and I think they are assuming that they can hire someone with IT
skills and then teach them RM goals and priorities. They will usually end up
with an IT person implementing an IT (ERM) software who then puts that
accomplishment on their resume and leaves when the going gets tough and they
have to actually help users manage information content and records.
3. Re: "Many companies want individuals who are experienced in specific ERM
systems."
They are probably saying that paying for vendor training and support turned
out to be way more expensive than they ever dreamed, probably because they
only hired the IT person discussed in response #2 and that person left. At
some point organizations realize they will need continuing support and
maintenance and that will require either paying a vendor a lot over time for
occasional reconfiguration and maintenance or simply bringing those
activities in-house.
4. Re: "But when someone says that RMs need education in electronic records
what do they mean? Many of the positions I see advertised today are for
director or mid-management positions. Does the RM need to know the nuts and
bolts of the system ie able to program or do they need to know enough to
understand how the system works?"
What each organization needs can vary greatly depending on their current
staffing. They need a manager that will actually prioritize and get RM done
organizationally, an RM person that will assure policies, file plans, and
retention schedules are effective, and also someone internally that can run
the ERM system and/or manage the IT/vendor personnel doing that work.
Unfortunately, ALL of this often falls on ONE person - the "Records
Manager"!
John
********************************
John T. Phillips
MSLS, CRM, CDIA, FAI
Electronic Records Management
Consulting, Education, Research
Information Technology Decisions
www.infotechdecisions.com
865-966-9413
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Peter Kurilecz
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 11:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Current List of RIM Educational Opportunities, and More!
On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 10:09 PM, John Phillips
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
> It seems to me that keeping up with technologies is challenging for
> all of us (except maybe for Jesse, judging by some of his posts to the
> List!) However, it is true that some CRMs could use more experience
> with electronic records.
John could you explain what you mean by "more experience in electronic
records"? From my experience many companies are seeking someone who has an
intensive IT background with a smattering of records management experience.
This is evidenced by many of the job postings that I see in various job
postings.
Many companies want individuals who are experienced in specific ERM systems.
> It is well known and accepted that many CRMs need more education in IT
> and electronic records areas. They have to exert a lot of personal
> effort both on and off the job to stay current on technologies.
I don't disagree with this. But when someone says that RMs need education in
electronic records what do they mean? Many of the positions I see advertised
today are for director or mid-management positions. Does the RM need to know
the nuts and bolts of the system ie able to program or do they need to know
enough to understand how the system works?
I would suggest hiring the person that has a generally applicable
> educational background and specific set of skills that can best meet
> the needs of the job.
I agree. and when the interviewer focuses on the the negatives it is up to
the interviewee to reemphasize what they bring to the table.
--
Peter Kurilecz CRM CA
[log in to unmask]
Richmond, Va
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