Insight 2 from Research Focus on technology - core information skills are a superpower
Jinfo Blog

By Robin Neidorf

Abstract

Read our second insight from our Research Focus, "The accidental technologist - where your expertise meets the new world". Find out how your research and information skills can remain relevant in this brave new world and access our new report.

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"Oooh, shiny!"

Who doesn't love a clever new tool? 

Especially since they often promise to solve the problem of information silos, manage unstructured data, improve end-user search experiences and create greater efficiencies for the information team. Plus save money. And generate beautiful reports with a few keystrokes.

Um... nope.

Yes, there are enormous gains to be made by moving towards next-generation technologies (and don't I wish more teams would get themselves out of spreadsheets and email and into proper workflow tools!). But these gains take enormous effort to realise. Plus, solving one or even two problems usually means that another, equally urgent problem goes unaddressed for now.

The second insight we've developed for the Research Focus, "The accidental technologist - where your expertise meets the new world", is this:

In this confusing environment, you have a superpower: you have core information skills that are more important than ever.

Don’t let new technologies become a distraction. Succeeding as an "accidental technologist" means knowing:

• What users are actually trying to accomplish, and how information supports them

• How to wield influence in cross-departmental projects, bringing your knowledge of information sources and structure to the fore

• How to "translate" features of information projects and implementations into real-world business results.

What you can do

As much as technologies and their implementations are part of your job now, make sure they support rather than distract you in delivering your core value to the business: setting information strategy, enabling end-users and applying fundamental expertise about information sources that no one else can provide. 

The resources in the Research Focus, "The accidental technologist - where your expertise meets the new world", help you separate hype and flash from real innovation:

• Check out our practitioner-written analysis of how technology is changing industries like pharmaceuticals, legal and manufacturing

• Bone up on foundational information skills that no one else offers, such as taxonomy development

• Join our January 2019 webinar to learn from your peers on how they serve as technology evangelists and enablers, without getting distracted.

Access more insight to refocus on fundamentals, even whilst you stay up to date on what's new and exciting:

• Request your free copy of the Insights and Actions report for this Research Focus

• If you have a Jinfo Subscription, you have access to all resources in this Research Focus - simply sign in with your MyJinfo credentials.

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