> I am not convinced buying the SMEs and managers lunch, or stopping by > with chocolates, or washing and waxing their cars before they leave for > the day really does much ... but if it makes you feel better, then go > ahead.
I don't think it's a great idea to act that way. Food service and other blue-collar people don't tend to get a lot of respect from engineering if they try to give input into a product development cycle. If you want to be treated like the other engineering types, act the way that the most-respected people in the group do. Ask well-though-out questions and be prepared with answers to questions that people may have of you. Don't downplay your abilities or what you do because people will respect you less. State your requirements clearly and calmly. Don't giggle when you talk or speak in such a way that every statement that you make sounds like a question. Both will make you sound less intelligent. Watch people's faces. You can tell when someone has crossed a line by the looks on people's faces or by the looks that they give each other. You don't want to be the cause of those looks! Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DITA West 2007--Use a discount code of "TECHCOMMPROS" to get a discount rate of $200 off the $800 price if you register before close of business January 15, 2007. http://www.travelthepath.com/conf/dita2007.shtml _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
