Jinfo feedback - information expertise
Jinfo Blog

By Catherine Dhanjal

Abstract

Catherine Dhanjal explains how Jinfo answered a recent customer query about how to guide and train someone to become a skilled information professional.

Item

We received a question from a customer about how to shape an information professional:

"I'm hiring an 'info pro' in the making - someone I believe has the right attitude but doesn't yet have the aptitude. I'm looking for current literature that provides guidance on 'what we do' and who we are as information professionals. 

"I've looked on professional association sites and downloaded their competencies but it is written in 'librarian-speak'.  So, now I'm looking for introduction and background material that I can provide this person to help him understand this profession."

Jinfo responded:

This is a question we often answer from the perspective of helping senior-level stakeholders understand the value of information expertise. Equally, our resources are just as valid for helping anyone new to the information profession understand what it is we do and how it creates value.

We often refer to the "three-legged stool" of information expertise:

• Sources: Expertise on what sources matter, how to access them and use them

• Technology: Expertise on the way technology can support interactions, discovery and management

• Value: Expertise on defining, measuring and improving how investments in information drive business results.

It's not an accident that these three legs - sources, technology and value - are the top-level categories for Jinfo content and resources.

Follow Jinfo's model

We have published the "Jinfo model on information expertise" which many customers have found useful for communicating upwards... and which can also be used for communicating across the business and to new recruits.

Jinfo Subscribers can download it (PDF) for use throughout their organisations.

Do you have a query? 

Responding to customer queries is something we're happy to do and that we answer on a regular basis, so feel free to send your questions to us.

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