Demonstrating Source Expertise - Show It, Don't Tell It
Jinfo Blog

By Anja Chemnitz Thygesen

Abstract

Are you demonstrating how invaluable your information skills are to your colleagues and senior leadership? Co-producer of the Research Focus "Source Expertise - What It Means in a Google World", Anja Chemnitz Thygesen, highlights how recent articles and reviews can help you to position yourself as an expert.

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Our Research Focus, "Source Expertise - What It Means in a Google World", has really taken off in the last few weeks and we've published a broad range of articles on sources and how to be a source expert.

• In a Q&A with Reprints Desk, Sophie Alexander discusses their recently introduced article rental scheme, a new way of previewing content, along with other recent changes such as in-browser article delivery

• A review of ProQuest Summon by Scott Vine gives a thorough walk through of this discovery service. Containing over 17,000 comprehensive databases - and an amazing 3 billion items, including some of the most renowned global publishers - ProQuest is a very important source

• In "Discovering Discovery Systems", Scott Vine explains what the difference is between federated search and discovery, what to look for in a discovery system, and introduces the four main commercial products: EBSCO Discovery Service, ProQuest Summon, Primo from Ex Libris, and WorldCat Discovery Services

• One way of demonstrating value can be by training colleagues. This is a great way to position yourself and your services. An article by Irene Koren and myself on introducing consultants to information research explains how to structure and conduct a training session for consultants - with the tips discussed relevant for colleagues working in any industry. The important thing is to train the end users in how to work with the tools and to position yourself as the expert in the field.

The first webinar of the Focus, on "Source Expertise and Your Value to the Business" (recording available), discusses a number of important issues regarding positioning and demonstrating value. An important point is that the way that you talk about your competencies helps you position yourself as an expert. This has to be proven on a daily basis and especially in your deliverables, "show it, don't tell it" is one of the key takeaways from this webinar.

The pieces published in the last weeks have offered a good mix of tips on building your skills to remain an expert along with some important ideas on how you can ensure you position yourself as a source expert.

Watch out for the webinars that are coming up and book your place to reserve your seat:

• 24th May: "Balancing 'Generalist' and 'Specialist' Expertise" will focus on the balance between being a generalist and specialising in a specific industry. This has been a recurring challenge in the teams I have worked with through my entire career and is even more relevant today than ever.

• 21st June: "Three Ways to Influence Strategy with Source Expertise" will deal with the importance of supplying your knowledge and supporting the company at strategic level by providing useful insights.

Articles and reviews coming soon in the Focus:

• Market Landscape - Discovery Systems
• Product Review of Northern Light SinglePoint
• Q&A with Ex Libris.

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