[Sigia-l] IAI (now including blatant plug)

[Eric Reiss]

Andrew wrote:

> Like rubbishing this list on this list and advertising another list
in the same
breath? :)

 [snip]

>I'm here to learn and generally interested: convince me - why should
>I join IAI based on Peter's parting comments? I'm not sure, based on
>my limited knowledge, that SIGIA-L/ASIS and IAI are rivals per se.

I wouldn’t join the IAI based on Peter’s comments either. Ideally,
I’d hope you would check out the Institute’s website and formed your
own opinion. Unfortunately, the site is a mess – a classic example of
the shoemaker’s kids going barefoot. I’ll return to the IAI member
benefits in a minute


You’re absolutely right - SIGIA and IAI are NOT rivals. In this
business, I firmly believe the more the merrier. And it shouldn’t be
a popularity contest. 

Try thinking of these lists as restaurants. Different chefs,
different menus, different décor, different clientele. But they both
serve food.

So Peter didn’t like his meal and told us all to go to another
restaurant. Why let ourselves get worked up about this? We’ve all
fired off hot-headed remarks at one time or another. And I’ve
certainly walked out of restaurants from time to time.

I subscribe to several lists because the content is different even
though the subjects are similar. 

!!! READER WARNING !!!!

!!! YOU ARE APPROACHING A BLATANT PLUG !!!

!!! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK !!!

Andrew, you asked for reasons why anyone should join the IAI. Here’s
something from a flyer the IAI put together for a conference this
fall. Perhaps it will answer some of your questions. Pardon the
marketing style – it is, after all, a promotional text. But as one of
the Institute’s directors, I will vouch for the correctness of the
information.

* * * * * * *
IAI Member benefits

Our mission is to advance the design of shared information
environments. That means we actively help our members meet, learn
from each other, and identify common concerns.

As part of the IA Institute, you’ll enjoy the following member
benefits:

- Unlimited access to our industry’s most comprehensive directory of
IA professionals – almost 1000 members and counting.

- Unlimited access to IA Institute’s multi-language website,
including local events calendars

- Moderated discussion groups where you can learn about the
experiences of others, and share your own challenges and concerns

- Professional mentoring program that gives you one-on-one contact
with a seasoned practitioner so you can improve your skills

- Scholarships and research grants

- Downloadable tools to help you improve the quality of your
deliverables

- Position papers, editorials and other documents to help you explain
the basic concepts of IA to your colleagues and clients

- Extensive online library to keep you up-to-date with the latest
methods and best-practices

- Direct access to our Job Board where you’ll find hundreds of
listings for IA positions

- Annual salary survey to help you benchmark your earnings against
those of your peers

- Discounts at industry events

* * * * * * *

The Institute’s utterly confusing website can be found at
www.iainstitute.org. Local language sites in Dutch, Danish, German,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French, and Portuguese are also
available. Access them from “Translations” and NOT from the front
page.

Hope this helped answer your question.

Cheers,
Eric

e-reiss & associates
copenhagen, denmark