In My Opinion

• The Business of Information Management

  Putting the "Management" Back Into Records Management - Part 3:
  Ensuring Your Department's Relevance by Bill Ainsworth

  The first column in this series explored the need for active cost control and customer service; the second column reviewed the need for well-designed processes to deliver both. This final column will look at ways to ensure your department continues to add value to your organization. Read on for more ...

• The Business of Information Management

  Putting the "Management" Back Into Records Management - Part 2:
  Designing Processes to Meet Your Customers' Needs by Bill Ainsworth 

  Whether you realize it or not, you use processes and metrics in your daily life to keep things on time. The trip you make to your office each day is a good example. You know the route, including distance, turns, stops, and duration for each segment, or step, of the route that will get you from your house to the office. There is a correlation between this everyday occurrence and the work that is conducted in your records and information management (RIM) department. Read on for more ...

• The Business of Information Management

  Putting the "Management" Back Into Records Management - Part 1:
  The Business Within a Business by Bill Ainsworth

  Times have changed. Managers' continuing opportunities (and those of their staff) now require them to be proactive to ensure their recommendations and opinions are heard and to believe they can be people of influence within their organizations. How does a records manager do that? Read on for more ...

• The Business of Information Management

  Improving Receptiveness to RIM Initiatives by Richard Head

  One of the most important things we do as professionals is talk about the business reasons for what we do. But some of us aren’t necessarily comfortable talking about what we do and why it’s important, much less trying to convince skeptical bosses and department heads that, for example, a records retention and disposition program is essential. Let’s look at how to improve organizational communication and get more comfortable with doing it along the way. Read on for more ...

• The Business of Information Management

  Fighting the Good Fight for RIM by Jeff Randolph

  In July 2009, ARMA International polled its members to find out (among other things) how often the average information management professional speaks to either IT or executive management. The answer came back a dismal "monthly at best." In fact, 40% of information management professionals never share the things they've learned with executive management. Read on for more ...

   

• The Business of Information Management

  The Value of Teamwork by Richard Head

  Teamwork is essential in today’s rough-and-tumble business environment – particularly for projects that are complex and require multiple skill sets to accomplish. Records and information management (RIM) projects usually require buy-in from diverse individuals and groups because RIM practices cut across the entire organization. Read on for more ...