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Editorial
By William Hann and Robin Neidorf
There is no substitute for a good plan. Goodness knows that results can be unexpected, even with the best of plans, but the investment we make in thoughtful planning always yields dividends.
The value of planning touches almost every aspect of business. Mark Jewell of Lehman Brothers shares his approach to planning for vendor contract negotiations, in his article just added to the FUMSI database. He suggests using the planning process to build your knowledge in five key areas: your market, what’s important to you, what you want to buy, your vendor, and your company.
Erica Wine offers suggestions for planning in a completely different aspect of business – sharing with the world the unique value of a particular special collection online. Her article, Online Digital Special Collections in English Universities: Promoting Awareness, offers insight into how organisations can better plan for better promotion, by thinking through who their audiences are and may be, as well as recognising their strengths and weaknesses.
It's clear and basic advice, and yet how often do we neglect to invest time in this kind of essential planning? In the race to do the work, it can be difficult to make the time to develop a plan. So what's an overworked professional to do?
Keep up with basic awareness. Don't leave your professional reading for 'when you have time'. Even if some weeks you just scan the headlines, you'll be that much further ahead when you need to be up to speed. FreePint offers the Bar Digest for twice-a-week updates on what's on the mind of other info professionals, or capture the Bar's RSS feed.
Get help! If you don't have time to plan, you don't have time to do your job. Make the business case for new or overflow staff to pick up lower-level work, to free you up for higher thinking. (Don't forget to post that new vacancy on Jinfo when you get approval!)
Reflect. Post-project reviews and documentation are critical elements of any planning process. After all, if you can't determine how well the plan worked, how can you plan better next time?
In a perfect world, we'd have all the information we need, plenty of time to plan and reflect, the exact right staffing at all times… and maybe even an extra week or two of holiday. In our imperfect world, though, we can build more planning into our days and weeks, a little bit at a time.
William Hann, Publisher
Robin Neidorf, General Manager
Free Pint Limited
P.S. Do you know someone who could use a twice-monthly reminder of professional resources relating to information work? Refer a friend to FreePint, and help them plan better! Forward this message to a colleague now.
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008
Searching for information on business executives? The major vendors offer options, as do some web-based free and fee products. Read about them in January's VIP.
Plus an in-depth review of BoardEx, a niche product that gives researchers a unique view of corporate board compositions and relationships.
Our Google-Free Wednesdays create familiarity with the new, specialised, and often more relevant search engines. Here are my current Wednesday favourites:
I begin with the Google-Free Web, Blog, and Company Information categories using Copernic Agent Professional and export the processed results as a Word document.
Gigablast.com clusters its results. This works particularly well when searching people. The advanced search is easy to access and use.
Searching blogs can be time consuming, but Zuula.com speeds this up with its easy to use blog search. Shut-off the 'adult content' filter and select 60 results per page for best results.
Accona.com and Accona.eu are good for searching on business names. The SuperTarget feature can be very helpful, as can searching in the business and news category. I hope these improve.
Exalead.ca supports Boolean operators including NEAR. We use the APPROXIMATE SPELLING and PHONETIC SPELLING operators constantly. Exalead is what Google should be. Too bad the database is so small.
Relevant search engine results go into OneNote then into a final report in Word.
Richard McEachin is President of Toronto based McEachin & Associates Ltd., which performs due diligence, competitive intelligence, and litigation support research. He is also a licenced Private Investigator. For more of his sources and methods, go to http://www.ConfidentialResource.com/.
FUMSI Regional Research Reports will help research projects get off to the right start, by highlighting quality sources -- free and paid -- for research in key regions.
Read more and purchase online. 50% discount for FUMSI subscribers.
Widgets: Internet Sushi for the Web 2.0 Crowd
Webcast on 13th March, 2008 at 4.00pm GMT
Join Thomas Dopko, Dow Jones Sr. Content Developer, Media Designer and
Global Technical Trainer for a guided tour of many practical uses for
the widget in current technological playgrounds and work environments
and be ready to dazzle with your new widgetry know-how.
The
FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva
Microsoft is a hot topic on the FreePint Bar . You'll find some details below on issues people are having with their technologies, plus more discussions on content licences, politics and taxonomies. As ever, you can ask your challenging questions at the Bar.
The FT is changing is licencing policies, and a user has posted the question: take up the extra licence or go back to the days of using the print (egads!) version? One thoughtful response points out that the change shifts the cost down the usage chain. Read the entries, and share your thoughts on this change <http://www.freepint.com/go/b257212>.
You FreePinters came to the rescue again when someone was looking for 'a sector taxonomy to be used in a CRM at an outplacement company'. A few Bar members posted some useful links for purchasing taxonomies or hints for constructing one from scratch <http://www.freepint.com/go/b249788>. Taxonomies are a key part of managing information - find more tips and resources in the Manage practice area of FUMSI: <http://www.fumsi.com/manage>
Have you been to your MP's blog lately? If you said yes, you may be contributing to an increasing in political use of social media. Someone is looking for insight into how UK politicians are embracing 2.0 technologies <http://www.freepint.com/go/b249946>.
Side note: We're tracking this thread at FreePint, so if you have special insight or wish to contribute an article on the topic, let us know at editor@freepint.com.
The latest version of Microsoft Office has left many users scratching their heads over missing functionality. This includes one user, who is wondering where a helpful feature in PowerPoint has gone from 97 to 2003 <http://www.freepint.com/go/b251589>. The FP community found some workarounds.
Another 'Pinter is looking for Microsoft help, specifically in a 24-hour PC drop-in centre where the computers are locked but left on. Some suggestions on how to disable the shut-down function: <http://www.freepint.com/go/b256664>.
Monique Cuvelier has been the editor of the FreePint Newsletter and now serves as the contributing editor for FUMSI's Share practice area. She has edited, launched and written for many magazines, newspapers and websites in the US and UK. Learn more about her at <http://www.onopoly.com/support/team/>.
The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky research questions <http://www.freepint.com/bar>
We're constantly seeking case studies, how-to articles, and hands-on
insight to help others find, use, manage and share information at
work. Contact any of our editorial team with your suggestions and
submissions:
In the first of a two-part series aimed at managing successful vendor contracts, Mark Jewell looks at preparation as a prerequisite to effective contract negotiation.
WHAT'S INSIDE: Use [these skills] next time you negotiate an employment contract - I recognise candidates who do and it often costs us money.
English universities possess a treasure trove of historical materials in their special collections, but promoting awareness of those materials can be challenging. Erica Wine looks at the opportunities that digitisation of special collections presents for enhancing accessibility and public understanding.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'You would be in a very rare and lucky situation if the whole world knew about [your collection], and if your institution was not just proud of its treasures, but fully supportive of any initiative to promote and exploit them. This article is for those who are not in such a position.'
The Jinfo service enables you to search and advertise information- related job vacancies.
The Jinfo Newsletter now features CV Makeovers, in which a job seeker's CV is critiqued and revised by specialists in the field as well as career tips for all experience levels. Read the latest edition and subscribe free at <http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/>.
Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme offered by Thomson Scientific. Learn more at <http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum2/>
Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:
Knowledge Management Project Officer
Knowledge Management Project Officer required on a permanent basis.
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8361>
Records Manager
Exciting chance to work at prestigious organisation, bringing your
records expertise to both paper and electronic records management.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8383>
Information Services Manager
You will develop a strategy for development and expansion of existing information services and for liaison with external helpline providers.
Recruiter: Federation of Master Builders
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8553>
Business Researcher - PRIVATE EQUITY
Private Equity Researcher. New vacancy in expanding international firm
for bright Researcher with relevant online research experience.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8589>
Information and Database Manager
Organise property asset -related information within an existing new web-based database (Asset Management Database) and other information repositories.
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8624>
Council Information and Knowledge Manager
Deliver our information and records management strategy across the whole Council while leading the information management team.
Recruiter: Tribal Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8636>
Researcher
Excellent opportunity working in a small, dynamic environment, to join our growing and entrepreneurial team.
Recruiter: The Piedmont Group
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8637>
[The above jobs are paid listings]
NB: These are just a selection of information-related jobs in the Jinfo database <http://www.jinfo.com/>. Receive the latest job listings weekly with the free Jinfo Update. Free to subscribe at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
Subscribe to the free Weekly update of the latest jobs,
plus the monthly newsletter with career tips:
Jinfo -- the best place for information-related job vacancies.
JOB SEARCHING? -- Free search and sign up to the Jinfo Newsletter
RECRUITING? -- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for just GBP195 <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/> -- 10% discount for agencies -- 50% discount for registered charities
For a wide array of hands-on training and resource materials, turn to Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme provided *free* by Thomson Scientific. The programme helps information professionals:
Expand your services through strategic and business competencies
Improve flow of information in your organisation
Gain visibility and build value for your work
Discover best practices, *plus* the know-how to implement them.
Free monthly newsletter and further information at:
<http://scientific.thomson.com/ quantum2/>
VIP publishes in-depth, unbiased reviews of business information products. If you purchase or use premium information resources, make VIP part of your professional reading every month.
Featured in the February issue:
Researching China companies with QIN from Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing
Financial Services Indicators and Forecasts, from BvDEP and Economist Intelligence Unit
NEW: Now publishing the VIP LiveWire
Commentary on the industry, by the VIP editorial team. Get their insight on trends, products, user needs and more.
Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 70 for three months. Trial offer is not available through the Web site; email support@vivaVIP.com
for details.
Every week, the editors of ResourceShelf explore a Resource of the Week. Get them for free every week via email by subscribing to the ResourceShelf Newsletter.
Recently published:
International Business and Economics Statistics
We've had a request — inquiring minds would like to know where to find international biz stats on the Web. We actually turned up a number of promising fishing holes for you to explore. We'll introduce you to some of them this week and finish up with the rest in next week's ROTW posting.
DocuTicker publishes citations of full-text, free reports available on the web. Visit daily for new postings, or subscribe to the weekly DocuTicker Newsletter.
Collection of Note: Asia
Our appetite for information from and about Asia never seems to wane. If you're checking out this month's VIP, with its review of QIN as a must-review source of information on Chinese companies, you may also want to take a look at the free reports on the region collected on DocuTicker. View the collection »
These events are hosted by our partner organisations and/or advertisers:
"Packaging, Promoting and Persuading"
28 February 2008
*Webinar* This session discusses the business competencies necessary for marketing yourself and the information centre. Outcomes are a clearer understanding of the three Ps of marketing and the basics of a marketing plan.
"Linking Information Services to Compelling Business Events"
13th March 2008
*Webinar* One of the ways Information Professionals can add value to their organization is to identify the underlying business need driving a research request. This helps Information Professionals move the request up the value chain and add depth to their information services.
This annual meeting, now in its 13th year, provides a forum and
point- of-reference for all those interested in the domain of
Search and Retrieval. The Meeting draws together those with a
professional interest in search engines - such as search engine
designers and developers - and those interested in applying search
engines in their own professional environments. Search is at the
heart of information retrieval; and the Search Engine Meeting
provides an annual point of reference as to what is happening in
this fast-moving and exciting field.
"Managing Up: Partnering with Stakeholders to Achieve Result"
15th May 2008
*Webinar* This workshop focuses on techniques for building the credibility and relationships necessary to inspire productive change. It offers tips on communicating effectively with anyone who might affect the success of your work projects, by identifying and working with specific influencing or relationship building tactics and styles. In short, we look at how we "manage up" to achieve the results that we want for our service.
A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
FreePint No. 224, 15th February 2007. "Beyond Music: Integrating Podcasting into Your Business" and "Life of the Party: Social Web Browsers" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/150207.htm>
FreePint No. 200, 16th February 2006. "Health intelligence sources in diabetes" and "Digital repositories in UK universities and colleges" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/160206.htm>
FreePint No. 154, 19th February 2004. "Electronic Information for Occupational Safety and Health -
Challenges for the Information Professional" and "Legal Issues For Information Professionals. How UK Copyright Law
Has Changed With The EU Directive" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/190204.htm>
FreePint No. 131, 20th February 2003. "France - Business and Economics Sources on the Web" and "Poisons, Potions and Toxins - Toxicology Sources on the Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/200203.htm>
FreePint No. 106, 21st February 2002. "Searching for 'The Daily Me'" and "So you want to start your own business? Web resources that every
budding entrepreneur should consult before taking the plunge" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/210202.htm>
FreePint No. 56, 3rd February 2000. "UK Political & Government Web Sites" and "Topics and Collections:
An Alternative Metaphor for Using the Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/170200.htm>
FreePint No. 32, 18th February 1999. "Environmental Information on the Internet" and "New Library: now comes the action" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/180299.htm>
Richard McEachin, Mark Jewell, Erica Wine, Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FUMSI), Monique Cuvelier (Contributing Editor: Share), Robin Neidorf (General Manager, FreePint), Shirl Kennedy
(Senior Editor, ResourceShelf and DocuTicker), Pam Foster (Editor,
VIP), William Hann (Managing Editor, FreePint), Penny Hann
(Production Editor, FreePint), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
The Piedmont Group, Tribal Recruitment, Federation of Master Builders, Dowjones Factiva, Thomson Scientific, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, VIP, DocuTicker, Jinfo.
Please note: FreePint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a registered trademark of, and published by, Free Pint Limited. The publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation.
The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Write to Robin Neidorf, Managing Editor, <robin.neidorf@freepint.com> for more details. Product names used in FreePint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. FreePint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved.
FreePint is published by Free Pint Limited, registered in England and
Wales. Registered Number: 3754418. Registered Office: Delaport Coach
House, Lamer Lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8RQ
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There is no substitute for a good plan. Goodness knows that results can be unexpected, even with the best of plans, but the investment we make in thoughtful planning always yields dividends.
Erica Wine offers suggestions for planning in a completely different aspect of business – sharing with the world the unique value of a particular special collection online. Her article, 
It's clear and basic advice, and yet how often do we neglect to invest time in this kind of essential planning? In the race to do the work, it can be difficult to make the time to develop a plan. So what's an overworked professional to do?
Microsoft is a hot topic on the FreePint Bar 
Featured in the February issue:
United Kingdom:
United States:
