The following is a joint post from Mary W. Haider, MBA, CRM, Records &
Information Manager and Consultant and Seth Williams, President, MER
Conference, Inc.



Recently, a mass email was distributed to the records management community
from the MER Conference promoting their conference in May.  The subject
line referenced a “silo mentality” and “Records Managers” which was quite
objectionable by many in the RIM community.  The phrase not only rekindled
a criticism too frequently heard in records management careers, but it was
misapplied.  The RECMGMT ListServ seemed to be the perfect place to voice
this concern.



Shortly after the offending email was received, I (Mary) posted a message
detailing both the nature of the offense, but also expressed a longstanding
exasperation over the years of this term being applied to RIM practitioners.
The message very clearly called out the MER Conference  on their tone and
choice of words as they sought Records Management support for their
conference.



Within a few hours the president of the MER Conference, Seth Williams,
responded.  I (Seth) took full responsibility and acknowledged better
phrasing should have been used.



A short time later, we spoke for an hour on the phone discussing the larger
issues facing RIM practitioners and, importantly, why using “silo
mentality” and “Records Managers” in the same sentence was unfair and
inappropriate.  It turned out to be a very productive conversation.   In
the end, we agreed that:

1.      The pace of business, changing technologies and evolving compliance
requirements brings more stakeholders to the table and requires a
heightened emphasis on collaboration; at an even faster rate.  The business
will require change and we all play an equally important and valuable role
in facilitating that change.

2.      While RIM professionals have been at the collaboration table for a
long time, newer stakeholders, for a variety of reasons, vary in their
willingness to act as a team.  While some do seek to reach across, others
climb on pedestals or shut the door.  Some build walls around themselves or
worse, others.  (This is the *siloization* the MER Conference email–
unartfully – tried to call out.)

3.      The MER Conference and other organizations, has and should continue
to offer sessions to all business stakeholders as they prepare themselves
to work through change and, as they are able, we all should take advantage
of opportunities to improve our collaboration skills and techniques.



In short, we share the goal to be intentional about how we honor the
various perspectives of all stakeholders while working to equip everyone
for success when collaborating to implement today’s challenging business
plans.



Finally, the RECMGMT ListServ worked!  A concern was raised.  A discussion
was had.  A better understanding was reached.  We’re all better for it.
Bravo!



Mary W. Haider, MBA, CRM

Records & Information Manager and Consultant

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Seth Williams

President, MER Conference, Inc.

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