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 [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
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Top 10 Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
S1E6 Audience versus User - Why the difference matters! with Timothy Ponce
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
04/29/21 • 40 min
Timothy suggests that no matter what profession you belong to, you are doing technical writing at some level. Drawing from this philosophy, he shares an interesting perspective on how his nursing students became invested in tech comm after taking an introductory tech comm course. Understanding the nuanced difference between audience and user can be the difference between good and bad communication. Listen in for a fascinating conversation from an academic and practitioner who brings a 360-degree view of the field.
Guest Bio
Dr. Timothy Ponce holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Literature, as well as an MA and BA in English from Sam Houston State University. He currently serves as a Senior Lecturer of Technical Writing and Professional Design and Coordinator of Internships in the Department of English at the University of Texas Arlington. While his doctoral research focused on perceptions of heroism in sixteenth and seventeenth-century England, he has since published and presented papers focused on technical communication, writing pedagogy, literary pedagogy, and curricular accreditation. He also serves as a board member at the Society for Technical Communication Loan Star Chapter, as well as on grant review committees for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
He currently lives in Mansfield, Texas with his wife, daughter, and poodle. In his spare time, he enjoys baking, sewing, painting, quilting, hiking, and vegetable gardening.
S1E13 Zohra in the Hot Seat
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
08/05/21 • 53 min
My biggest supporter and life partner, Iqbal Mutabanna, decided to interview me for the last episode of Season 1. So here I am in a candid conversation, sharing my professional journey with you.
We will pivot in Season 2 that launches in the second week of August. Stay tuned.
Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy my episode :)
S4E5 Navigating the Future of AI-Driven Writing with Kathleen Majorsky
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
06/02/23 • 44 min
The show notes for this episode were created with the help of Cohost AI from Buzzsprout.
Ever wondered how networking and vulnerability can open doors to incredible writing opportunities? Join me as I chat with the incredibly talented Kathleen Majorsky, a writer who has recently forayed into user-testing of AI tools which is both inspiring and eye-opening.
By confronting her fears and setting daily goals, Kathleen has been able to learn and engage in different types of AI writing tools. Companies take note - listening to users like Kathleen can lead to invaluable insights and improvements. Listen in to uncover the fascinating connection between AI tools, user feedback, and the future of writing.
As AI technology progresses, ethical considerations become paramount. Kathleen and I discuss the importance of transparency, guardrails, and responsible AI implementation. With her expertise in journalism and critical media literacy, we explore how we can all contribute to shaping a safer and more ethical AI future. Don't miss out on this riveting conversation about the intersection of writing, networking, and AI technology!
Guest Bio
Kathleen Majorsky is a talented multi-faceted writer with experience in writing everything from marketing content to technical communication training, and creative fiction.
Right now, she is leaping into A.I. tool exploration as a self-proclaimed beginner. Her A.I. adventure inspires opinions about the tool's user experience, thoughts on how the tools could help her be a better writer, and what the world looks like with ethical and humane A.I. use.
Currently, she is working with a number of freelance clients, but she remains open to a full-time writing role with a company that aligns with her values.
Kathleen's portfolio link: https://kathleenmajorsky.com/portfoliokm
Kathleen's LinkedIn portfolio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/writerkmajor/
Credits
- Intro and outro music - Az
- Audio engineer - RJ Basilio
S5E8 Reimagining a Unified Content Experience for Customer Success with Scott Abel
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
07/25/24 • 65 min
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
S3E5 Delighting Your Customers - How to Craft Meaningful UX as a Content Developer with Ellyn Hassell
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
06/05/22 • 63 min
Ellyn Hassell says, "I want to delight the customer, I want to make sure that I'm doing everything that I can to make this a really amazing experience, help them get their job done, move through the task, and move on."
In this heart-to-heart conversation, Ellyn shares with us her experience and insights to create a delightful experience for the customer. She is continually striving to elevate our profession and earn a seat at the table with other disciplines. Learn the unique ways in which her efforts have contributed to product success in myriad ways, especially in user experience (UX).
Some questions we delve into:
- How do you collaborate with UX, Marketing, and other teams?
- What does "success" look like when you are partnering with other disciplines?
- How can you remove roadblocks and assert yourself as a writer in situations where you are challenged?
- How can you elevate your status as a tech writer?
Some common abbreviations and terms mentioned in this episode:
- RDO - Research, Delivery, and Operations (RDO) division
- SCD - Strategic Content Development
- SME - Subject Matter Experts
- UX - User Experience
- SKY UX - SKY UX is the next generation of Blackbaud's user experience framework that provides a consistent, cohesive user experience for Blackbaud products.
- UI - User Interface
- Triad - This is a scrum meeting. Triads may vary from organization to organization, but mostly the triad at Blackbaud consists of the Product Owner (or the Product Manager), the UX Designer, and the Dev team.
Guest Bio
Ellyn Hassell is a Sr. Principal Technical Writer at Blackbaud. She leads multiple efforts around UX writing and user assistance patterns that promote innovation and consistency. Supporting several development teams, Ellyn collaborates across disciplines to create a meaningful impact throughout Blackbaud. Other interests include internationalization, usability, syntax standards, and accessibility with the end goal of delighting Blackbaud customers.
Ellyn is a proud alumna of East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) where she holds a B.A. and M.A. in English with a concentration in technical writing. She’s presented at numerous local, district, and international conferences, and served as guest editor of User Experience and several other technical and creative publications. Ellyn lives with her husband and two children on the beautiful Chickahominy River in Williamsburg, VA. You can connect with Ellyn on LinkedIn.
Audio Engineer - RJ Basilio
S4E8 Redefining Content Creation with AI with Matt Thomas
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
07/27/23 • 43 min
Ever wonder how AI tools can give you an edge in content creation? Join us as I chat with Matt Thomas, who has journeyed from the realm of technical writing to the world of copywriting and content creation.
Unveiling the secrets of his craft, Matt shares how he brings innovation and brainstorming to the fore in copy creation. Get a glimpse of his creative process, where he uses AI tools to create and curate content for LinkedIn posts and copywriting.
If you are curious about how to optimize prompt engineering or looking for valuable tips to create actionable content, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready for a thought-provoking chat that will inspire you to look at AI tools and content creation from a unique perspective.
Guest Bio
Matt Thomas has 13 years of experience as a technical writer, specializing in creating user-friendly documentation, instructional materials, and online content.
He’s worked as a tech writer across multiple industries to produce deliverables that range from traditional print manuals to interactive online resources.
In addition to his technical writing background, Matt is also the in-house copywriter for TacoTime Canada, a freelance copywriter, and an up-and-coming content creator on LinkedIn.
Since last November, he’s gained over 1.3 million impressions on LinkedIn, had his work reshared by one of the biggest creators on the platform, and had multiple posts go viral.
You can check out Matt’s content and follow him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perfectproseyyc/
You can also sign up for his newsletter waitlist at www.perfectprose.ca
People that Matt follows on LinkedIn
- Jordan Wilson - 'Everyday AI' show host
- Heather Murray - author of AI for Non-Techies
- Rob Lennon - Coach and thought leader
- Isabella Bedoya - MarketingPros.ai Newsletter
- Parves Shahid - Simplifies AI
- Max Rascher - AI for business and automation
Show Credits
- Intro and outro music - Az
- Audio engineer - RJ Basilio
Show notes generated by AI and curated by me.
S2E6 Roadmap to API Writing: Strategies for Success with Robert Delwood
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
11/15/21 • 45 min
In this final episode of Season 2, Robert Delwood, a former NASA engineer, sheds light on how technical writers can pivot to API writing. It is a special skillset and mindset. Listen to this exclusive episode to find out how you can acquire this skill and make it in this high-in-demand career.
Per the website programmableweb.com, approximately 2000 APIs are added each year. For each API, roughly 2-3 writers are needed. Given this exponential rise in APIs, there is obviously a growing demand for API writers. But, writers are in short supply, while the pay scale is high. If you want to make it in this niche area, you must have the right attitude. What is it?
Some key things we touch upon:
- What is the 30-minute limit test?
- What are the three strategies to learn API documentation?
- What are the four easy ways to start building an API portfolio?
Also, if you are a hiring manager looking for API writers, this interview provides great tips on how you can find and fill this role with the right talent.
Resources:
- The Programmable Web
- Search for articles authored by Robert Delwood on medium.com
- Find projects on Upwork
Guest Bio
Robert Delwood is a programmer, writer, and programming writer in Chicago’s legal community. He strives to produce innovative API documentation. He’s been an active writer for more than 20 years, 13 of those with API documentation. He’s also been a titled developer, once even writing NASA software that made sure the space station astronauts had clean underwear each day. If the astronauts themselves don’t appreciate it, the other crew members did.
S2E5 Tips to Sharpen your Job-Searching Skills: Gems from a Recruiter with Olivia Farmer
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
10/29/21 • 67 min
Somebody has aptly said that "looking for a job is like dating". When you are looking for the perfect job opportunity, the process can be daunting. In this scenario, the recruiter or the talent acquisition manager can be your friend.
In this heart-to-heart conversation, Olivia Farmer shares with us the "behind the scenes" of hiring the right talent. As much as the days can be grueling, Olivia reminds us how recruiters can be our advocates during the hiring process. We touch upon all facets of hiring, and the many opportunities for you to shine. For example:
- What are some creative ways to build relationships with recruiters at a company?
- Why should you consider writing a cover letter even if it is not required?
- How can a thank you letter work in your favor?
- How do you answer inquiries about your salary requirements in a strategic manner?
- How do you tackle age discrimination as an applicant?
Guest Bio
Olivia Farmer is a Talent Acquisition (TA) Program Manager at Blackbaud. After working in the TA space across multiple industries, there is one thing she knows to be true - helping people find their dream job and career is what she loves to do. Olivia is a proud graduate of James Madison University and is currently a student at Clemson in their Master of Human Resource Development program. She lives with her partner in crime, Piper the blue heeler, in Charlotte, NC.
S5E4 Mastering Project Management as Content Creators with Kieran Morgan
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
05/15/24 • 49 min
Kieran Morgan and I connected to discuss how to manage projects and priorities as technical communicators, particularly in agile environments. With Kieran's vast experience in operations and governance, he shares strategies that can empower you as a writer to take charge of your workload without the luxury of dedicated project management support.
From the importance of planning to the art of negotiation with stakeholders, our conversation dives into project management skills vital for technical writers. As we unravel the complexities of defining scope, scheduling, and budgeting, Kieran offers invaluable advice for those new to the field. Discover how embracing formal training in basic project management skills can be a game-changer, extending beyond mere schedules and trackers to encompass a holistic view of project execution, including risk and stakeholder management.
Lastly, we bridge the gap between cognitive psychology and technical writing, shedding light on how a deeper understanding of the 'why' can transform documentation into a more effective learning tool. We explore the power of visuals, the importance of content chunking, and the necessity of tailoring documentation to the needs of a majority user base to avoid scope creep.
Key Takeaways:
- Planning: Essential for successful project execution.
- Scope Definition: Crucial for project success.
- Simple Tools: Excel for tracking.
- Negotiation: Key skill with stakeholders.
- Cognitive Psychology: Enhances documentation effectiveness.
Guest Bio
Kieran Morgan is an author and entrepreneur. As the founder of Boffin Education, he is passionate about applying his diverse skill set in leadership, operations, and documentation to the challenge of building a knowledge business.
His 2015 book, Technical Writing Process, is a top-seller on Amazon with over 9,000 copies sold (books + templates). A new edition of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) brings the content with up-to-date information for modern technologies and recent developments in industry best practices. Head over to the home of the Technical Writing Process (2024, 2nd ed.) on Boffin Education.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and authorship experience, he's also an experienced program and operations manager, with strong expertise in planning and pitching new programs, facilitating governance forums, and leading complex programs.
Resources
Boffin Education is offering a 10% discount on their project management courses for technical writers. Use this code 44EF3D to avail of the discount.
Show Credits
- Intro and outro music - Az
- Audio engineer - RJ Basilio
S4E11 Glimpse into the Future of Technical Writing with AI with Caity Cronkhite
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna
09/21/23 • 52 min
Prepare to step into the future of technical writing as we explore the ground-breaking intersection of AI and technical communication with Caity Cronkhite, CEO of GoodWords. As an entrepreneur and subject matter expert, Caity offers invaluable insights on how AI is revolutionizing the process of technical writing.
While we touch upon the empowering facets of AI, Caity shares with us the valid concerns on data protection and risk understanding that are presented with AI.
We also delve into the controversial topic of AI replacing staff in the technical communication space – a future that seems more probable than ever. What does this mean for you as a writer? Caity shares her expert advice on how to gain exposure and experience with AI tools and how to navigate the risks associated with them.
Guest Bio
About the founder: Caity was born and raised on a remote farm in rural Indiana. She eventually left her prairie roots to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where she received a degree in Technical Writing and Communication. After college, Caity went west—first to the San Francisco Bay Area, then to Seattle—to start her career as a technical writer and, eventually, an entrepreneur. She is passionate about using her personal and professional experience to uplift others, including advocating for increased labor and wage protections for freelance workers and creating a company that empowers its employees with meaningful career opportunities no matter where they live.
Caity currently lives in Seattle, Washington. When she’s not running her company, she enjoys gardening, bodybuilding, road trips, mentoring, and restoring her historic Seattle home.
About the business: Caity Cronkhite is the founder and CEO of Good Words LLC. Good Words is the premier technical writing and communications consulting firm, delivering ongoing strategic, management, and implementation support for our clients’ technical writing needs. Good Words’ consultants bring their concise and accurate writing skills and ongoing strategic plans to streamline even the most complex communications for some of the most technically sophisticated companies across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to 5-person startups. For more information, visit us at www.goodwordswriting.com.
Some resources worth checking out:
- The Good Words Blog: https://goodwordswriting.com/blog/
- Our website: https://goodwordswriting.com/
- Our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/good-words-llc/
Show Credits
- Intro and outro music - Az
- Audio engineer - RJ Basilio
Show notes generated by AI and curated by me.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna have?
Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna currently has 49 episodes available.
What topics does Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna cover?
The podcast is about Writer, Writing, Technical, Podcasts, Technology, Business, Communications, Content and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna?
The episode title 'S3E8 Through the Lens of a Scrum Master - Speak Up and Advocate for Yourself with Jennifer Savage' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna?
The average episode length on Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna is 44 minutes.
How often are episodes of Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna released?
Episodes of Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna are typically released every 15 days.
When was the first episode of Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna?
The first episode of Inside Tech Comm with Zohra Mutabanna was released on Mar 9, 2021.
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