Delivering Value to Your Clients or Organizaton

Information professionals deliver value to their organization or risk becoming expendable.

I recently delivered a webinar program to members of the Association of Independent Information Professionals on how to deliver value added analysis. You can download the slide deck titled Adding Value to Your Research: Value Added Analysis to get the gist of the presentation.

Cyberspace is abuzz right now as specialized librarians debate the merits of renaming their professional organization. The current name is SLA: Special Libraries Association. The suggested name is Association of Strategic Knowledge Professionals.

The proposed name actually represents a mind shift from information management to something broader. Some info pros appear to object to this change. From my angle it represents an appropriate evolution in our profession. To demonstrate the value in what we do, we have to wrap value into the services and solutions we offer.

Value added analysis serves as one proven strategy for an evolving profession.

What's In a Name?

Let's assume you are an information professional. Given the fact that you are reading this blog, that seems like a safe assumption.

At a social gathering, when people ask you what you do, how do you reply? Do you give your job title - Information Specialist, Knowledge Analyst, Chief Researcher? Do you offer your educational background along with a job description - "I'm a librarian by training, and I provide research and analysis to corporate decision-makers." Do you dodge the topic and change the subject - "So, do you think Elizabeth Taylor will marry again?"

The conversation goes on in our individual spheres as well as at the broader level. The Special Libraries Association, known since its inception to have an awkward name, is looking at a name change. This is not the first time. The last effort ended in the practice of foregoing the full name for initials - SLA. Time has proven that to be a less than satisfying solution.

So, what are some of the options? Association of Knowledge Engineers (my personal favorite at this point), Specialized Librarians and Information Professionals, and Knowledge and Information Specialist Society are among the proposals. SLA leadership is on board with the initiative. CEO Janice Lachance has posted her position to the SLA Wiki on Why SLA Must Consider a Name Change. To participate in the discussion, use Twitter and #slaname or visit the SLA Name Change wiki. The conversation is sure to be lively.