I just want to add some food for thought: My personal opinion is that if we call ourselves "Recordkeepers", we won't be invited to the adults table. Try asking a friend or relative (not someone who knows about the details of what you do) what a recordkeeper does and see what they say. I've done it and they tend to describe a file clerk.
Just my 2 cents.
Cheers
Suz
Suzanne Mrozak | Director | Global Information and Records Management
Genzyme Corporation | 500 Kendall Street Cambridge, MA 02142 | 617-768-6549
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-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Doug Smith
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 10:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Something that made me go hmmm ...
While Fred's point is well taken, it is missing a critical point of focus for program credibility. Why is Legal talking to IT? C-Level leadership believes that IT should be involved. No one questions this.
Why do we face the question? Records managers have been around much longer than the electronic technology we use to manage records.
We need to change the perception that we are separate. IT has an important role to play in effective information management, as does legal, AS DOES RECORDS. By integrating ourselves into the iformation structure, rather than holding ourselves separate, we are much better positioned to be at the only table that matters.
Too often, I fear we try to distance ourselves from IT to show how special we are. No part of an engine is more important than any other to the functioning of a car. Cars may run more efficiently if certain parts are better or more robust. They may run more effectively if the parts are maintained well. However, you need certain elements to drive your car. try doing so without your alternator, or computer, or the engine fuse or oil/oil pan.
We need to be part of the engine, not only when something is going wrong, but every time our organizations function. If your organization is using Microsoft products and you do not know the records implications of Windows 2007 or Sharepoint, you are not holding up your end of the interaction. If you do not know what impact records management has on IT: positive, negative (from the IT viewpoint) or neutral, it is time for you to better prepare.
There is a reason that the children sit at the other table. They are not prepared to listen and join the conversation in an effective, constructive manner. When you have done this work you are ready to sit at the adult table and hold up your end of the conversation. You will know when to interject and when just to listen.
When you have done this work, the C-Level will set a place for you and expect you to attend. I agree with Chris (and always enjoy his humor), we do need an advocate. We have one. As I have heard many respected members of this list repeat over and over. Get up. Get out. Blog about the right principles. Write an article for a journal, or speak at a seminar (and not just ARMA seminars or InfoPro/ IT, C-Level and Legal do not read our journal or attend our seminars). We are ARMA. We are the profession. Time to go to the store and get what we need to contribute to the dinner.
Doug Smith
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Washington, D.C.
202-719-4455
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