Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna

Zohra Mutabanna

Inside Tech Comm is a show for anyone interested in learning more about technical communication. It will also be of interest to those who are new to the field or career-switchers exploring creative ways to expand their horizon. You can write to me at insidetechcomm@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

  1. S6E2 Resume Robots and Chatbot Interviews: Surviving the AI Hiring Maze

    5D AGO

    S6E2 Resume Robots and Chatbot Interviews: Surviving the AI Hiring Maze

    Jack Molisani returns to discuss how technical communication careers are evolving with generative AI. He shares practical advice for navigating the changing landscape with pro tips in this era of resume robots and chatbot interviews, while emphasizing that human expertise remains irreplaceable. A resume should be a personal communication from you to the reader, not an AI-generated documentStop applying through applicant tracking systems designed to weed you out; connect directly with hiring managersHiring managers look for what you are, your seniority level, domain knowledge, tool proficiency, and affordabilityCompanies value technical communicators who can appropriately integrate AI into workflows, not just prompt engineersPosition yourself as part of revenue generation, not just as someone who "writes manuals"In Jack's words, "like surfing, timing is everything—don't adopt AI too early or too late, but ride the wave at its crest." Listen in for this timely advice. Guest Bio Jack Molisani is the President of ProSpring Technical Staffing, an employment agency specializing in content professionals (both contract and perm): https://ProspringStaffing.com He’s also the author of Be The Captain of Your Career: A New Approach to Career Planning and Advancement, which hit #5 on Amazon’s Career and Resume Best Seller list. Jack also produces The LavaCon Conference on Content Strategy and TechComm Management. See https://LavaCon.org for more information. Show Credits Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ Basilio

    53 min
  2. S6E1 Empowering Technical Writers Through Agentic AI: A Conversation with Manny Silva

    SEP 12

    S6E1 Empowering Technical Writers Through Agentic AI: A Conversation with Manny Silva

    Kicking off our season, Manny Silva discusses how agentic AI is transforming technical documentation workflows and explains why human expertise remains essential despite technological advancements. AI agents are tools that extend our capabilities rather than replace technical writers' core skills. Learn why! Some takeaways from this interesting discussion: Definition of agentic AI as applications that take actions based on the tools provided to them.How common tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and GitHub Copilot qualify as agents.Creating custom AI tools to accelerate documentation drafting processes.Using AI to turn a week-long project into a three-day effort.The continued importance of human expertise in identifying requirements and context.Strategies for incorporating AI tools into existing documentation workflows.Establishing boundaries and processes to prevent burnout in the AI era.The value of internal documentation in creating successful organizations.How technical writers can maintain their relevance by focusing on curation and quality.Manny shares a six-point checklist for making documentation AI-ready. Listen in for the tips. Stay tuned for a future episode where we'll explore audio synthesis and multimodal AI in documentation. Guest Bio A tech writer by day and engineer by night, Manny Silva is Head of Docs at Skyflow, codifier of Docs as Tests, and the creator of Doc Detective. He’s passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences and likes diving into the deep end as the 0th developer. Show Credits Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ Basilio

    54 min
  3. S5E10 The Future of Technical Documentation in the AI Era with Selvaraaju Murugesan

    08/29/2024

    S5E10 The Future of Technical Documentation in the AI Era with Selvaraaju Murugesan

    As a content creator, you may wonder how your role will evolve with AI on the scene. Are you excited or concerned? Either way, this is a must-listen episode to learn and pivot. Join us as Selvaraaju Murugesan and I discuss this topic at length to explore how content creators and, especially technical writers, need to pivot. We dissect the evolving role of technical writers in the age of AI, focusing on how engineering concepts can be seamlessly integrated with technical writing to enhance content creation and user experience. Selva emphasizes how technical writers can transform their roles to become AI managers to guide and enhance AI-generated content. We dive deep into the unification of product design and documentation, emphasizing the need for a "knowledge experience" to simplify users' learning processes. If you are concerned and struggling to determine how to respond to the changing landscape of AI, then tune in. You will discover insights to prepare for a future with Gen AI while leveraging your current skills. Guest Bio Selvaraaju Murugesan is the head of Data Science at Kovai.co. He focuses on integrating AI features into Document360 - a knowledge base SaaS. He is an active community member in the technology and documentation space. His recent article, "Is Your Content Ready for Gen AI Based Agents?", was featured in the tcworld magazine. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

    49 min
  4. S5E9 Expert Tips for Effective Technical Editing with Kim Campbell

    08/14/2024

    S5E9 Expert Tips for Effective Technical Editing with Kim Campbell

    Kim Campbell, who wears many hats, joins me on this latest episode to unlock the secrets behind effective technical editing. Kim and I explore the fundamentals of technical editing, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring high standards and tailoring content for specific audiences. We dive into the growing necessity of human oversight amidst the rise of AI-generated content, ensuring accuracy and quality remain uncompromised. In our deeper dive into the editing process, we unpack the various levels of technical editing, from developmental and structural editing to copy editing and proofreading. Highlighting the importance of collaboration and open dialogue, especially in tech environments, Kim provides strategies for resolving conflicts between authors and editors. Our conversation also delves into the emerging role of tech editors as change agents and the impact of generative AI on technical writing. Join us for a discussion filled with practical tips and valuable insights for mastering the art of technical editing. Guest Bio Kim Sydow Campbell, Ph.D., is a linguist who has been studying workplace language for more than 30 years. She joined the Department of Technical Communication at the University of North Texas in 2016, where she now serves as Director of Corporate Relations, promoting constructive interactions among industry professionals, students, and faculty. When she isn't doing research or teaching, you'll find her cooking, watching movies, swimming, or just hanging with her family and fur babies. Suggested Resources Professional standards from the Editors Association of Canada Kim's Youtube channel with course material Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

    58 min
  5. S5E8 Reimagining a Unified Content Experience for Customer Success with Scott Abel

    07/25/2024

    S5E8 Reimagining a Unified Content Experience for Customer Success with Scott Abel

    Unlock the secrets of a unified content experience for enhanced customer satisfaction with Scott Abel. Known as the Content Wrangler, Scott takes us through his journey from journalism to becoming a key player in content strategy. Ever wondered why customer experience is more than just a buzzword? We unpack its multifaceted nature, shining a light on every interaction from prospective to former customers, including internal stakeholders. Scott and I discuss the often-overlooked strategic role of technical writers in delivering timely and relevant content. You'll learn about the potential pitfalls and inefficiencies when customer experience strategies are managed by departments outside content teams, and the financial implications of recognizing technical communication as crucial for customer experience success. Discover the strategic value of technical documentation beyond its traditional role. This episode covers how documentation impacts post-sale support and even pre-sale decisions, driving significant traffic without a marketing budget. We explore leadership awareness, the importance of interdepartmental collaboration, and the critical role of metrics in ensuring customer satisfaction. With insights into evolving KPIs, effective corporate communication, and the importance of continuous learning, this episode gives you simple tips to improve the overall content experience in the customer experience journey. Guest Bio Known as "The Content Wrangler," Scott Abel is a content strategist who helps companies improve the way they author, maintain, and deliver information to those who need it. He's co-author of "Intelligent Content: A Primer" and "The Language of Content Strategy" and creator of the Content Strategy Series of books from XML Press. His blog, TheContentWrangler.com, is a popular destination for communication pros seeking information about content management strategy and related topics. Scott’s social networking group on Linkedin, The Content Wrangler Community, is a global network of content professionals that attracts tens of thousands of members from around the world. He also has a large following on Facebook and Twitter. Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

    1h 5m
  6. S5E7 Enhancing Tech Writing Workflows with Markdown and AI with Christopher Ward

    07/11/2024

    S5E7 Enhancing Tech Writing Workflows with Markdown and AI with Christopher Ward

    Are traditional documentation formats holding you back? Join us as Christopher Ward offers a unique perspective on the future of technical communication. Discover how Markdown, with its straightforward syntax and open nature, can revolutionize the way technical writers and subject matter experts collaborate. Markdown simplifies collaboration by separating content from style, bridges the gap with developers, and aligns content creation with business goals.  We also discussed the profound impact of artificial intelligence and generative AI on the field, underscoring the pivotal role that technical writers play in developing and enhancing AI models while recognizing the limitations of AI-generated content and the irreplaceable value that human technical writers bring to the table.   Tune in for actionable insights and strategies to elevate your technical communication game. Markdown Demo Demo of the technical writing process using Markdown at 39:38. Resources Blog  - [https://goto.webworks.com/newworkflow](https://goto.webworks.com/newworkflow) Free Markdown Editors with AI Integration (Caution - everything you input or query using these tools is public. There is no privacy with these tools.)Notion - [https://www.notion.so/](https://www.notion.so/Marktion - [https://marktion.io](https://marktion.io)Free Trial and Documentation for Markdown and Markdown++https://goto.webworks.com/newworkflowhttps://goto.webworks.com/markdowntrialhttps://goto.webworks.com/markdowndocsGuest Bio Christopher Ward is a dynamic professional with a diverse background spanning military intelligence, corporate sales, and strategic marketing. Education has always been a cornerstone of Christopher's journey. Graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Management from DeVry University, he demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a thirst for knowledge. Christopher is a certified expert in Google Analytics, having earned certifications for both basic and advanced concepts. His proficiency in data analysis and digital marketing strategies has been instrumental in shaping successful campaigns and optimizing organizational performance.  A prolific writer and presenter, Christopher has contributed articles to various Technical Documentation Magazines and has graced stages across the United States and Europe. With over 15 years in TechComm and 20 years as a business analyst, he brings a wealth of experience and insights to every endeavor. You can contact Christopher at christopher@webworks.com. Christopher is presenting at Lavacon. Use the discount code (Ward24), to get a $200 discount.  Show Credits Intro and outro music - Az Audio engineer - RJ Basilio

    55 min
  7. S5E6 Using Collaborative Techniques for Prioritizing Content with Robert Mills

    06/11/2024

    S5E6 Using Collaborative Techniques for Prioritizing Content with Robert Mills

    As content creators, we are constantly at the edge of our seats as we try to juggle multiple content deliverables. How do we strategize and manage stakeholder expectations? Robert Mills, the founder of Fourth Wall Content, joins me with techniques and insights into collaborative content prioritization.  With a journalism and content operations background, Robert shares the power of clear communication and methods you can employ to ensure your workflows and content efforts are efficient and effective. Discover four decision-making techniques: dot voting, the MoSCoW method, the RICE method, and the five whys. Robert and I dissect each technique, revealing how they can be leveraged for in-person and remote collaboration. Whether you're managing a major website overhaul or juggling a slew of content requests, these methods offer a structured approach to prioritization that can be adapted to any team or project context. Effective content strategy goes beyond mere tools—it's about managing inventories, creating seamless user journeys, and engaging stakeholders with empathy and data-driven decisions. Robert’s practical advice on starting with simple tools like spreadsheets will resonate with anyone looking to streamline their processes without breaking the bank. Tune in to uncover how to balance collaboration with quick decision-making, build trust within your team, and drive your current initiatives. Guest Bio Robert Mills is the founder of Fourth Wall Content, working with clients on content strategy, content design and content operations. He has recently worked with Marie Curie, the RAF, Natural Resources Wales, Social Care Wales and NHS England. Rob is a journalism graduate and has previously worked as Head of Content for a Saas company, Studio Manager and Head of Content for a design agency, and as an Audience Research Executive for the BBC.  He’s an experienced copywriter and editor, a published author, and speaks about content strategy at leading industry events or on podcasts. Show Credits Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ Basilio

    54 min
  8. S5E5 Mastering AI-enhanced Content Creation using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with Manny Silva

    05/30/2024

    S5E5 Mastering AI-enhanced Content Creation using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with Manny Silva

    Can outdated training data and hallucinations in large language models (LLMs) hold back your AI projects? Manny Silva joins us to uncover Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), a technique that improves the output of LLMs. He shares practical insights with real-world applications that ensure AI-generated responses are accurate and contextually relevant. The future of content creation is going to be automated. Manny reveals how we can cut down the time required to produce first drafts by using developer tools and open-source communities. Learn about integrating engineering and design documents, and templates from the Good Docs Project, all optimized for LLM inference. This episode also explores the delicate balance between AI and human creativity in writing, emphasizing that while AI can handle initial drafts, human input is invaluable for refinement. Tune in for a compelling discussion that will transform how you approach AI and content creation. Link to the video demo for RAG. The demo runs from 43:10 to 49:30. Guest Bio A tech writer by day and engineer by night, Manny Silva is Head of Docs at Skyflow, codifier of Docs as Tests, and the creator of Doc Detective. He’s passionate about intuitive and scalable developer experiences and likes diving into the deep end as the 0th developer. Resources Engineer-focused article on RAG for Stack Overflow - Manny Silva Taking RAG to Production with the MongoDB Documentation AI Chatbot-  Ben Perlmutter from MongoDB  Show Credits Intro and outro music - AzAudio engineer - RJ Basilio

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Inside Tech Comm is a show for anyone interested in learning more about technical communication. It will also be of interest to those who are new to the field or career-switchers exploring creative ways to expand their horizon. You can write to me at insidetechcomm@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

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