tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52735994267589995342024-02-18T18:36:40.002-07:00Calgary ARMA CRM study groupCalgary ARMA ICRM Liaisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09849825443577020335noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-46644117223768927422021-01-15T11:51:00.000-07:002021-01-15T11:51:05.967-07:00ICRM Offering Online Exam Prep Workshops<p> Happy new year to you all. Here's hoping that 2021 fares better worldwide than 2020!</p><p>The ICRM has announced that they will be offering CRA, CRM, and Part 6 exam preparation classes online. There will be a minimum of 4 per year, offered as half-day workshops at US$129 and a la carte one-hour presentations at US$50. It follows a successful pilot in 2020.</p><p>They have also announced that they are considering offering these sessions in-person, but for now will only be virtual.</p><p>Confirmed dates are:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>ICRM-led exam prep workshops – February 17-19, 2021</li><li>ICRM-led exam prep workshops in partnership with the
Digital Government Institute (DGI) - March 10-12, 2021</li><li>ICRM-led exam prep workshops in partnership with the
MER Conference 2021 - May 19-21, 2021</li></ul><div>Additional dates will be announced at the <a href="https://www.icrm.org/CRA-CRM-workshops" target="_blank">ICRM website</a>. The full announcement can be found <a href="https://www.icrm.org/CRA-CRM-workshops-new" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><p></p><p>If you are interested in pursuing CRA or CRM designation, or you're in the process of taking exams already, please let me know - there are resources I can make available to you that can help.</p><p><br />Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br /><a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com" target="_blank">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-13465435365725521802020-09-01T09:27:00.004-06:002020-09-01T09:27:56.228-06:00Online Testing for Part 6 Exams<p>In a huge move, the ICRM <a href="https://www.icrm.org/press-releases" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">has announced</a> that Part 6 exams will be offered online to CRM candidates. This is a radical departure from the very secure, very controlled Pearson Vue test centres, but candidates who have been unable to write Part 6 due to COVID-19 restrictions will now be able to do so.</p><p>Parts 1 to 5 have been offered online since prior to COVID-19, and Part 6 follows a similar pattern. The window is open for 2 months, and can be written any time during the test-taking window. In Parts 1-5, candidates can retake the test if they are unsuccessful within a few days; in Part 6, however, candidates must wait until the next window opens (up to three months). The first window runs October 1 to November 30, with the second running January 1 to March 11, 2021.</p><p>My thoughts? I think it's the best that can be done under the circumstances. The draconian security of the Pearson Vue test centres is strict to the point of being off-putting, but it maintains the integrity of the CRM designation. You can't just waltz in and pass the exam! The concern, of course, is that unscrupulous candidates could cheat - they might have resources at their fingertips that wouldn't be allowed otherwise. Perhaps there are countermeasures; the exams are conducted by Examity, an organization that the ICRM has already been working with. Despite such risks, this is a fair compromise for those who are waiting and have made plans based on earning the credential. I applaud the ICRM for making a strong decision on this.</p><p>The next decision will be when to return to in-person testing for Part 6. I am sure the ICRM will be gathering information and metrics to see if Part 6 online testing is viable indefinitely, rather than just temporarily. Will be interesting to see.</p><p>For those of you looking for Part 6 - now you can do it! Register <a href="https://www.icrm.org/index.php/applying-for-the-exam" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. And please let me know if that's in your plans; I am still able to send study resources and can answer any questions you have.</p><p>Stay safe and stay strong!</p><p>Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br /><a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com" target="_blank">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-79886061449473879822020-07-17T07:40:00.000-06:002020-07-17T07:41:43.431-06:00ICRM Announces Partnership with University of TorontoSo - this is old news. I should have reported on it a year ago. But maybe a deserve a bit of credit (a tiny, quantum iota?) for checking up and following up on my notes.<br />
<br />
In June 2019, the ICRM <a href="https://learn.utoronto.ca/news-announcements/icrm-and-uoftscs-envision-future-for-rim" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">announced</a> a strategic partnership with the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. The SCS offers a Records & Information Management certificate that now aligns with the Certified Records Analysts (CRA) credential - if you pass all of the courses in the certificate with 70% or more, you automatically earn your CRA. Pretty good! The CRA is a great credential on its own, and it also brings you half way to the full CRM credential.<br />
<br />
You can find the courses <a href="https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/certificates/records-information-management" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> - they are available online, so no need to move to Toronto. If you or someone you know is looking to enter the RIM field or upgrade their current skills, this might be an option. (Full disclosure: the courses aren't cheap, but align with university rates.)<br />
<br />
Of note, this is the first strategic partnership that the ICRM has made outside of the US.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com" target="_blank">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-75758582376446989632020-05-05T11:11:00.003-06:002020-05-05T11:11:49.056-06:00Announcement From the ICRM Regarding Exams & Credits<b>The ICRM has issued a statement regarding testing and continuing maintenance points (CMPs). The complete text of the message is included below.</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Dear Members and
Candidates,<br />
<br />
The coronavirus (COVID-19) reality evolves and forces changes in all of our
lives in many ways we could never have imagined. I’m reaching out to update you
on what the ICRM is doing to offer support during these challenging times. Our
main concern is the health and safety of our ICRM family and we continue to
monitor developments associated with COVID-19 that impacts the ICRM, members
and candidates.<br />
<br />
<strong>Testing</strong>
- The Board of Regents cancelled Part 6 testing for May as many Pearson Vue
testing centers are currently closed with uncertain opening dates. We are
receiving weekly updates on this situation as test centers start opening up in
the US, Canada, and around the world. We will update you as we receive new
information. If you are a current candidate and looking to test, you may find
out information about test center operations in your local area by looking
here: <a href="https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update#country-specific">https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update#country-specific</a>,
which is updated daily. In an effort to be responsive to the situation and grow
technologically, the Board appointed a Task Force to explore online testing
feasibility. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
<strong>CMPs</strong> -
Information was sent to all members on April 22, with a listing of resources
available to earn CMPs during this time. There are many online resources
available. Also, review other options to earn CMPs such as reporting on a work
project, or authoring an article for a RIM publication. See the <a href="http://www.icrm.org/">www.icrm.org</a> for more information and the CMP
announcement.<br />
<br />
<strong>Dues</strong> -
COVID-19 has impacted many businesses with cutbacks and closures. This has been
especially difficult for members who find themselves underemployed or
unemployed. Our hearts go out to them during this difficult time. Please
contact the ICRM office if you are having challenges in paying membership dues
so we can work with you.<br />
<br />
<b>Website, Facebook, LinkedIn</b> - We continue to update our website at <a href="http://www.icrm.org/">www.icrm.org</a> Please check it out for the
latest information on testing, CMPs, and general information. We are also on
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Please follow us!<br />
<br />
If you are experiencing any concerns regarding testing, expiring CMP cycle, or
dues payments, please contact the ICRM office at <a href="mailto:admin@icrm.org">admin@icrm.org</a>
and we will work with you. These are difficult times and it is our wish
to encourage and assist where we can.<br />
<br />
The ICRM is here to help. We will get through this with the support of one
another. Stay well and respect the request for social distancing, but
continue to reach out virtually until we can get together again. Resources are
available. We can help guide you to those resources. We will continue to update
you as we get more information.<br />
<br />
Be safe, stay well and wash hands!<br />
<br />
Paula Sutton<br />
ICRM President<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b>If you have any additional questions, please let me know or contact the ICRM directly as instructed above.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-91531297824372988672020-04-23T14:49:00.002-06:002020-04-23T14:49:42.943-06:00Demonstrating Worth<div>
A couple of posts ago I promised that I would address demonstrating the value that a RIM program brings to an organization. This is it.<br />
<br />
I've been in the RIM business for almost 20 years, and I've been through a number of layoffs. I've noticed that many organizations look at RIM as the equivalent of the school's art program - in the good times, everyone thinks it's fantastic and utterly indispensable, but as soon as budget cuts come it's the first program to go. Nothing has changed the fact that RIM programs must constantly demonstrate their value. We can lament all day long about how IT budgets are huge and how they always do better in layoffs, but it should be noted: they demonstrate their value. And they do so on a daily basis. The most successful art programs are those that demonstrate the tremendous value they bring to students and the community; the most successful records programs are those that demonstrate the value they bring to employees and the organization. I can't say I am a master at the "art" of demonstrating value (little pun intended there :), but I'll put in a pair of pennies nonetheless.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a) Address the whole spectrum of benefits. In order of increasing importance:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The risks that are unaddressed if something isn't done</li>
<li>Areas of non-compliance with internal policy, regulation, or legislation</li>
<li>The time and/or money that the organization earns/saves as a result of your initiative - this is worth ten of any of the previous</li>
<li>Time and/or money that the organization earns/saves, as attested to by a business group outside of RIM - this is worth a hundred of any of the previous</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
b) Choose your battles. The number of battles you can fight depends on your clout at the organization and how accommodating its culture is. I have created and implemented two major policies with an enterprise-wide impact, and I'm working on a third regarding email. I have at least a dozen more I would love to put into place (and I'm working on them). But it just won't happen, at least not all at once. To tie in my first point, yes, rules (and the consistency they bring) are important. But if I can't explain why the rule is beneficial to the enterprise, I won't get approval. Even if I get approval, if I can't demonstrate the value of the policy/project/proposal, compliance will be nonexistent.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
c) When you've exhausted your resources and the answer to your request is still a firm no, accept it. However, follow up with a list of legitimate risks and potential outcomes created by not implementing your project or plan. Don't overblow the risks, which is an irresistible temptation; be realistic. If that's hard to put together, then you'll understand why you got a no. But if it's easy to demonstrate, you get a TON of street cred if one or more of the risks are realized. If possible, get sign-off on your list of risks from the person who gave the final no.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
d) Focus on value to the organization, not the value to Information Management. In the text books, conferences, and webinars we've attended to over the years, we've learned what "must be." However, those authors and speakers don't know your organization as well as you do. Some issues are bigger than others where you work. Some pain points are more tender than others. Your organization's unique circumstances will drive your initiatives, and your training and knowledge in IM will drive how you develop the initiatives. It's not the other way around.<br />
<br />
e) To extend the last point further - do you know your organization well? What are the core functions? What business groups drive those functions? What processes take in information, and what processes create information? What does that content and data go? The more you meet with business groups, the more you will understand the ebb and flow of information in the organization, and when you need to speak to issues, pain points, or solutions, you'll know what you're talking about. People will listen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
f) To extend <i>that</i> point further - internal relationships are key. How many Law people do you meet with on a regular basis? How widely distributed are those contacts across the IT branch? The answer to those questions should be "lots, and widely." Do you have a consistent contact in Risk, Privacy, Security? Or multiple contacts? How many business groups to you communicate with on a regular basis? Is it just with the person who boxes up records for offsite storage, or are you meeting with managers as well, to determine their pain points, bottlenecks, and information aspirations?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
g) Please, please, <i>please</i> say, out loud and with booming, unrestrained confidence, that your efforts to tackle electronic records management are more demonstrable than your efforts to address paper records. 95% - maybe 99% -- of all records are born digitally now. Yes, paper records absolutely have to be managed, but if your time and energy isn't starting to line up with the digital reality, no one will believe that your RIM program is doing anything of value, including me. Sorry.<br />
<br />
If there are any stories to share on this topic, please do so! In the comments or via email is very appreciated. Thanks.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-77432520318339558262020-03-31T11:14:00.002-06:002020-03-31T11:14:41.012-06:00Stay-At-Home Activities for IM Professionals<br />
So, you're stuck at home, doing your part and practicing social distancing. Maybe you're working from home with reduced hours or reduced demands, or worse, you're not working at all (my sympathies). But now you have some time to do things you wouldn't be able to do otherwise. If that's the case, here is a list of activities you might consider to keep yourself both sharp and occupied as a practicing IM professional.<br />
<br />
1. Professional development<br />
<ul>
<li>There are many institutions from Harvard and MIT all the way down to ARMA's website offering free courses on a wide range of topics. Take them up on it! If you need to earn CRA, CRM, or IGP maintenance credits, now is the perfect time.</li>
</ul>
<ul><ul></ul>
<li>Get up to speed on digital transformation, cloud computing, and work-from-home technology. Pundits seem to agree that this pandemic is going to permanently change the way the world works - get a head start on that. <a href="http://youtube.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a> is perhaps the best place to start; there are a lot of very useful videos and webinars on cloud computing in general, and on specific solutions from organizations like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Apply to the ICRM for your CRA or CRM designation! If finances are tight or your organization's training budget is gone, don't sign up - just start preparing. You can't write tests anyway until the pandemic settles. Look up the annotated study guides <a href="https://www.icrm.org/examination-outline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If you have the financial resources, sign up for a full course in an subject area that you want to be better in, or that makes you more attractive as a prospective employee. Maybe it's in change management, cloud computing, risk management, or electronic information management.</li>
</ul>
2. Networking<br />
<br />
This applies whether you are looking for work or not. Networking is for more than just hoping one of your contacts has an inside line on a job. It's also for learning from others, for hearing other stories and getting a sense of the world out there, and for simply commiserating with others going through the same things you're going through. Try some of these things:<br />
<ul>
<li>Get your LinkedIn profile up to date. Go through your list of connections and reach out to those you haven't chatted with in a while. See how they're doing. Post some comments.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Host an online meeting with your current and/or former colleagues. Introduce those that don't know each other. You can do it with Zoom, Skype, Teams, or other video conferencing technology. Or really go crazy - host an online <a href="https://www.netflixparty.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Netflix Party</a>! Do a search on "information," "technology," or something similar to find some fitting shows (although, having tried that, I didn't have much luck... Perhaps <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3774114/" rel="nofollow" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Snowden</a>? Maybe you'll do better).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Start posting on the IM online forums out there. Forums exist at <a href="https://community.aiim.org/browse/allrecentposts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AIIM</a>, <a href="https://igguru.net/community/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IG Guru</a>, and others like Facebook, Microsoft, Google, and LinkedIn. Post your ideas and connect with other IM professionals.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Have something you want to say? Start a blog or a vlog. Maybe it can be about movies and shows available on streaming services applicable to IM professionals. :)</li>
</ul>
3. A home RM project<br />
<br />
If you're social distancing or even in self-quarantine, nothing is more exciting for a dedicated records manager than a home RM project! There are a host of possibilities, and they can potentially cost zero dollars. Try one or more out from the list below. And if you're hunting for a job, of course list these projects in your resume. Why? They're 100% valid and valuable experience!<br />
<br />
<i>RM Fundamentals</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Conduct an information inventory in your home. The physical records inventory will be easier, even if you have boxes in the attic - the electronic inventory will be more difficult. Don't forget your records stored in cloud solutions like Dropbox.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Create a records retention schedule for your home. Include permanent records like your house title, and vital statistics documents, and short-term categories for financial and tax information. Create archive categories for your children's art and school projects. Implement the schedule to both your physical and electronic records!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Cleanup and Organization</i></div>
<ul>
<li>Clean up and organize your filing cabinets. Maybe that's a huge job, because you've been cramming staff into them for years. Don't be embarrassed! (As they say, "the cobbler's children have no shoes.")</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Clean up your home computer. Don't wince! You've asked employees at your organization to do this on a daily basis - time to practice a little of what you preach. :)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Organize your home email. Oh no, you're wincing again... and again, you've asked employees at your organization to do this on a daily basis. Choose your battles; perhaps you only want to organize the previous two years' worth, or organize your contacts and complete missing information, or unsubscribe from mailouts coming from vendors you just don't use anymore.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Organize your DVDs or CDs (we all still have them!), or your home book and magazine library. There are smartphone and computer apps for this very thing! If you have the software, perhaps you would like to digitize your disk collection.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Organize your photos. This is a big one... now you have time to do it. Check online software possibilities; you may want to subscribe to a photo subscription service such as Amazon, Facebook, or 100 others you'll find in a simple Google search. (Also check the features and reviews on these sites.)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Information Security and Protection</i></div>
<ul>
<li>Is your virus protection software up to date? Double check.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do some research and create an information security plan for your home network, computers, and devices, and then implement it.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Create a disaster response plan (DRP) for your home. There are lots of online resources for this. Put it into action and do a test run with your family.</li>
</ul>
<i>Digital Transformation</i><br /><ul>
<li>How much physical mail do you receive? How much of it can be received electronically instead? Contact your institutions and make the switch to paperless. Organize your My Documents location on your computer so that you can manage the correspondence properly when it comes in.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Use an old computer or laptop to set up a media server in your home with access from your home network (especially if you digitized your CDs and DVDs). Too daunting? You have time now, not just to figure it out but to do it too!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Choose any kind of digital transformation project that challenges you. Even if you're unsuccessful, you'll learn a <i>ton</i>.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I would love to hear about your projects - let me know!<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-40949894212592150102020-03-31T10:39:00.004-06:002020-03-31T10:39:42.210-06:00ICRM Response to COVID-19As you might have guessed, all Pearson Vue testing centres have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can see the ICRM statement <a href="https://www.icrm.org/node/2941" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Of course, you can still prepare and study for exams; the ICRM will announce when the testing opens up again.<br />
<br />
All the best in your studying and preparation, but also in your homes and places of work - please be safe.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com">icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-69359843832195854112020-03-16T09:46:00.001-06:002020-03-16T09:46:40.109-06:00Employee Departures and Information ManagementMy organization has been in a fair amount of turmoil for a good year, with changes at the top and slashed budgets and other things besides. It has led to the recent layoff of 200 employees. We knew it was coming, which added to the stress. But it also gave me some time to prepare.<br />
<br />
Almost three years ago I wrote an information offboarding procedure, got approval, and implemented it enterprise-wide. Essentially, when an employee leaves the organization, it is the leader's responsibility to check the employee's email, personal drives, and other areas where there may be information of value. Leader notification is automated, but it still takes time to track it and chase down tardy responses.<br />
<br />
I had never thought that that layoffs might be considered as an incident within a disaster response plan (DRP), especially when they were expected - but I thought wrong. It has absolutely impacted the organization's ability to manage its information effectively. It's been just over a month, and I'm still in the process of managing not only the information offboarding but all of the regular RIM requests that come to the records inbox on a daily basis. There are some other lessons I've learned that come out of this.<br />
<br />
1. An information offboarding policy is an important policy to craft and to implement. Not only does it help to capture records that might be otherwise lost when an employee leaves, but it also demonstrates to the organization that a) the responsibility for managing information doesn't suddenly cease when an employee leaves, b) enterprise knowledge management is important to the enterprise, and b) it is both an individual's responsibility and a leader's responsibility to manage information within their area of accountability.<br />
<div>
<br />
2. Having a process in place prior to a major event is a huge advantage. Most leaders had already done an offboarding or two, and knew the process. My team has been involved in all corners of the organization, so they know me and understand the expectations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Further to that, know your key stakeholders well. I had met with HR in advance to determine the process. Some exceptions showed up during the layoffs, but the lines of communication were already established, so with a quick call I was able to determine the issue and respond appropriately. I had also met with the IT manager responsible for access control, and we understood that had to work together to make the offboarding work successfully. There are still some issues we are working out, but again I know where to go when the issues arise.<br />
<br />
4. There is a human element to layoffs that can't be ignored. My team was informed whenever there was an employee departure. There was a higher than usual amount of attrition prior to the layoffs, which is not uncommon. The heaviness of layoffs hung over everyone for several months. I knew it was possible that someone on my team might be monitoring our notifications and see their own layoff. As part of my team's preparation for the coming layoffs, I held special meetings to check in with them. "Are you doing okay?" was the common question. We banded together, stayed positive and stayed strong, through a very difficult time.<br />
<br />
How have you managed during times of downsizing? Any lessons of your own to share? If so, please respond in the comments! Thanks.<br />
<br />
By the way, both of my team members were let go - if you looking for an excellent information management analyst in Calgary and area, let me know. :)<br />
<br />
Next post: lessons in demonstrating your RIM program's worth to the organization.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-28001404645500474472019-09-10T14:54:00.001-06:002019-09-10T14:54:07.176-06:00The Era of Electronic Records Management Part 2First off: apologies for so much time passing since the last blog entry. I would list all of my excuses but you either know them all or have heard them all a hundred times... I'll try to keep up better. :)<br />
<br />
In my work several initiatives have taken off where I'm doing actual, honest-to-goodness, dyed-in-the-wool <i>electronic records management</i>. How long have I been waiting for that? Pretty much since I started in this industry 18 years ago. I remember seeing Bruce Miller, the great pioneer in records management software and consulting, stating in 2003 or so that automatic electronic records classification would be commonplace within 2 years.* Ever since then the golden gleam of RIM for electronic records has taunted me from afar. Through those years I've a) tackled paper processes while watching electronic processes ignored, b) tried to address overrun email inboxes, while other electronic processes ran unmanaged, and c) created policies and procedures that addressed electronic records, but which never impacted actual practice.<br />
<br />
But now I'm doing it! We are working with stakeholders across the organization to apply records classification and closure to the records in our ECM system. We are proposing and working through several models to increase automated processes to help tackle email inboxes (that are still overflowing, even after all these years...). I am meeting with stakeholders to address master data management (MDM) and how our Records Management requirements impact the way we store and use structured data at the organization.<br />
<br />
It's busy - really busy - but so excited as well. It is literally what I have hoped to be doing ever since the beginning. I feel privileged to be here.<br />
<br />
Any others making headway in electronic records management? Any questions or stories to share? I'd love to see what else is happening out there.<br />
<br />
We don't have another CRM preparation workshop booked in the near future, but let me know if you are interested in the CRA or CRM designation, and I can help you get started or provide some books from our lending library for studying. In the meantime, all the best in your endeavours.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ICRM Liaison, Calgary ARMA<br />
icrmrep.armacalgary@gmail.com <span style="font-size: x-small;"> <<< Please note the new email address.</span><br />
<br />
*(I've spoken about that moment with him since, and he chuckled heartily, saying, "I predicted 'just another two years' for many, many years in a row!").Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-63206671425178486212019-04-16T09:34:00.002-06:002019-04-16T09:35:16.577-06:00The Era of Electronic Records ManagementI've always been impressed that the ICRM dedicates one entire exam, Part 5, to information management technology. If you've been working in the industry at all, you will understand the necessity of that exam.<br />
<br />
I delivered a presentation to a group of records management professionals recently on the topic of electronic records management. My introduction sounded a bit like this:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">"We have our paper processes nailed down. When it comes to paper records, we're in pretty good shape. When it comes to official electronic records, however, such as email, electronic content, and systems data, we don't do so well. Question: what percentage of your organization's official information is represented electronically, and what percentage is represented in paper? It's likely in the 90/10 range, or if you still use a lot of paper, 80/20. That means that we are poorly managing <i>at least eighty percent </i>of our official records. That should cause us some concern."
</span><br />
<br />
Does this strike a chord with you? Does it make you feel really nervous? First, let's not be too hard on ourselves. Paper is just much easier to manage. It comes to us in relatively small volume and paper is a single format to manage. Electronic information comes to us in large volume and in a vast array of formats and configurations. So don't feel bad. But second, it's not enough to lament about it and hope for the best. As records managers we need to address the IM issues.<br />
<br />
In my presentation I was more excited about the feedback it generated than anything I had to say. Because people are doing things out there. Let's share our secrets, our strategies, and our successes! And press on!<br />
<br />
In the meantime: Part 5 of the exam is not an IT quiz. It's more about IM in the current technological environment. When you study for it, be happy knowing that the knowledge you gain will be critical in your IM career.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-22208154872987961702019-01-10T11:57:00.001-07:002019-01-10T11:57:11.660-07:00CRM Workshop January 23rd - Space is Available!Due to both the confines and the freedoms of the holiday season, this post comes a bit late, but there's still lots of time to register for the CRM Preparation Workshop scheduled for January 23rd at the Glenbow Museum. Was does it entail?<br />
<br />
8:00am to noon - In the morning we cover parts 1 to 5. It includes:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Subject areas covered in each exam</li>
<li>Study resources</li>
<li>Strategies for writing multiple choice tests</li>
<li>Sample questions and answer review</li>
</ul>
<div>
12:45pm to 4:00pm - In the afternoon we cover part 6. This includes:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Study resources</li>
<li>Sample prompts and expectations</li>
<li>Strategies for creating a meaningful response</li>
<li>The writing of a sample prompt, which will be marked by an ICRM grader, with comments returned after the workshop</li>
</ul>
<div>
The workshop is facilitated by..... yours truly!! Yes, that's me. And yes, in the afternoon, for the last 2 hours you WILL write a response to an exam prompt, and I WILL take them home and grade them for you. (I grade part 6 exams for the ICRM most quarters.) This is a highly valuable form of feedback.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To register, click <a href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crm-workshop-with-wayne-hoff-tickets-53058569610?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTU2OTc2MzIvd2F5bmUuaG9mZkBhZXIuY2EvMA%3D%3D%0A&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&utm_term=attend" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Hope to see you there!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP</div>
<div>
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison</div>
<div>
icrmrep@armacalgary.org</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-61188466608615630882018-10-03T11:36:00.001-06:002018-10-03T11:36:02.371-06:00Go ahead and write Parts 1-5 - ANYTIME!The ICRM has officially announced that the first five CRM exams can be scheduled at any time during the year. This is great news for those who have busy schedules. Previously, candidates could only write the exams during one 2-week test cycle each quarter. That opens up a few things for you:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>You can write the exam pretty much any week of the year. It is still limited by those times made available by the Pearson Vue test centres, although there shouldn't be any major limitations.</li>
<li>You can book the exam on short notice and take it right away - perhaps you suddenly feel like you've got it all in your head and you don't want to wait. Book it for the afternoon! (They haven't actually announced how long you have to wait between booking the exam and writing it, but so far it seems that there is no restriction.)</li>
<li>If you do not pass the exam, you can write it again in as little as 48 hours. Again, that's based on availability of test times at the Pearson Vue centres, but that's pretty handy. Instead of waiting for three months and having to restudy the material, you can brush up in areas you felt you were weak and then write it again immediately with all of the material fresh in your head.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The Part 6 exam is not included in this change - it continues to be offered in the 2-week test cycle in February, May, August, and November. This isn't a surprise; Part 6 requires human graders and that still has to be organized and administered under a regular cycle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let me know if this makes your plans easier.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On another note - the CRM prep course is being offered January 2019. It's a little further back than we initially planned but this makes it better for those thinking about Part 6. More details will be coming out later; if you're interested please give me a shout.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP</div>
<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<div>
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: "calibri";">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a><br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-14310286438398024182018-09-11T16:09:00.001-06:002018-09-11T16:10:26.734-06:00Great News for Southern Alberta Writers of Part 6I have been hearing that CRM candidates in the chapter have had to book their Part 6 exams in Edmonton, because they're not available in Calgary. This is a significant inconvenience: a long drive both ways, sleeping in a strange room the night before, and additional expenses. Today I emailed the ICRM and Pearson VUE (host of the testing centres) to determine why Calgary, a city of 1.5 million, doesn't have a facility for writing Part 6.<br />
<br />
The good news: Tim Clay from Pearson VUE responded this afternoon to say that a software update erroneously removed Calgary from its list of Part 6 writing centres. That error has been rectified: you can now write Part 6 in Calgary. A colleague of mine has already booked her Part 6 exam at the Bow Valley centre downtown.<br />
<br />
So go forth! Throw caution to the wind, and shout with uncontained abandon from the roof of your workplace, "I will pass Part 6! I will be a CRM!" And then the world will rise in celebration of your RIM prowess, chanting in unison of your records exploits and accomplishments, and your name will be sung in songs of heroes for ever and ever and ever!!!<br />
<br />
Got carried away a little there. But this should make getting the CRM just a bit easier for everyone. Also - to those that actually made that trip for Part 6 - sorry that this wasn't rectified sooner.<br />
<br />
A couple of other quick notes: first, the board has given approval for a CRM preparation course coming in October or November. Watch for further details on that, especially if you are planning to take CRM exams. It is also good for those considering a CRA or CRM designation. Second, it has been traditional for the ICRM liaison to regularly publish the list of exam dates. I have been remiss in that responsibility. Here they are for the next few sittings (see https://www.icrm.org/exam-schedule for more dates):<br />
<br />
<b>Fall 2018</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>November 5th to November 16th, 2018</li>
<li>Reservations accepted September 1st to November 1st, 2018</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Winter 2019</b><br />
<ul>
<li>February 4th to February 15th, 2019</li>
<li>Reservations accepted November 23rd, 2018 to January 31st, 2019</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Spring 2019</b><br />
<ul>
<li>May 6th to May 17th, 2019</li>
<li>Reservations accepted February 22 to May 2nd, 2019</li>
</ul>
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: "calibri";">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-90670648823768323602018-06-18T09:55:00.001-06:002018-06-18T09:55:25.760-06:00Introduction to NAGARAI recently became an associate member of NAGARA, the (drum roll please) National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators. This is an American organization, so it lean towards US federal and state-level government records administration. You may however find some useful resources there, especially if you work with the province or with the Canadian government.<br />
<br />
The reason I bring them up is that they have partnered with the ICRM and they're offering a full-day CRM preparation <a href="https://www.nagara.org/Public/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=8e622009-20d6-4caa-95ad-0bba2181dd98&iSearchResult=true&WebsiteKey=f614a8de-d008-443d-ab9e-6682b9a7a96f" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">workshop</a> as part of a pre-conference session at their annual <a href="https://www2.archivists.org/am2018" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">conference</a>, which is in Washington D.C. in August this year. Perhaps you work with an organization that has budget for this level of professional development... anyone? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd0fBXwDBmo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No</a>? Well, if so, it may be a good opportunity.<br />
<br />
Now, of course, the ARMA International <a href="https://www.arma.org/default.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">conference</a> always includes a pre-conference CRM prep <a href="https://www.arma.org/page/LiveICRM?" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">workshop</a> as well. And it's in Anaheim, California, which is somewhat sunnier and also closer (no jet lag). It takes place October 22-24th.<br />
<br />
If you end up going to the NAGARA conference, let me know! I'm relatively new to them and I'm curious about their offerings.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I'm always open to questions and comments - fire them my way.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-63049944548295903012018-04-18T17:04:00.002-06:002018-04-18T17:04:14.137-06:00New Things!Some new things are upon us!<br />
<br />
1. The ICRM just published their new logo. It looks a little hipper than the old one and has some symbolism in the shape:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP17eGCL9EEHsW-5IgHjdG47MpBSq5hoJm0GxGU2vgNMCAGBeKxKjXPExB_Ee8mZ9nle3aarRdeqstYy7i8fsKX0YIgBBq3Rp-3A4TF7BlzFVg-96VG0qwz2ZyGbJwAS2UHeWgEs804B6B/s1600/ICRM_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP17eGCL9EEHsW-5IgHjdG47MpBSq5hoJm0GxGU2vgNMCAGBeKxKjXPExB_Ee8mZ9nle3aarRdeqstYy7i8fsKX0YIgBBq3Rp-3A4TF7BlzFVg-96VG0qwz2ZyGbJwAS2UHeWgEs804B6B/s1600/ICRM_logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
The 6 corners of the hexagon represent the 6 exams, and the 3 corners of the triangle within the hexagon represent the 3 phases of the CRM process, which are application, certification, and examination. Expect to see more of the logo in the future.<br />
<br />
2. A new exam cycle is upon us... the next cycle is May 7 through May 18. That gives you lots of time to book an exam if you're ready to write. Speaking of which - some of you have commented privately that the Pearson Vue writing centres aren't open in Calgary, and that (this is crazy) you had to travel to Edmonton or Red Deer to write your exam. Come on!! I've investigating this and will provide an update shortly. If you have any recent news, please let me know.<br />
<br />
3. A new CRM Prep course will be offered. More details to follow, but the chapter will offer it mid-June. This will be good for those of you who:<br />
<ul>
<li>Are planning to write exams in August (the prep course provides an excellent preparation for studying for the exams... so having some time between the course and the exams themselves is a good thing)</li>
<li>Wrote in May or previously, didn't quite make it on a couple of the exams, and want some additional help for those exams</li>
<li>Is interested in writing the exams, but hasn't really started the process yet and would like some guidance and help</li>
</ul>
More detail on this to follow. It will be facilitated by yours truly, same as last April.<br />
<br />
4. Finally, the weather is new... kind of. It seems that <a href="http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/our-wicked-winter-by-the-numbers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">winter</a> is having a tough time letting go, but we're starting to hit double digits for daily highs and that's all right. Time to break out the deck chairs with beer holders and celebrate the new season!<br />
<br />
Happy springtime to you all.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Calibri;">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-68150412215948631092018-02-20T16:14:00.000-07:002018-02-20T16:14:35.509-07:00The Future of Records Management<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was asked today, “What’s the future of Records Management look like?” While it’s perhaps a little dangerous (or at least arrogant) to claim knowledge of the future, I will take the bait and go for it. Thanks to Allan from Athabasca County for the suggestion, and a disclaimer – these are my views and not necessarily those of my employer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />To look forward we first need to look <a href="https://www.shmoop.com/quotes/doomed-to-repeat-it.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">backward</a>. I’ve been in information management for more than 16 years now (holy cow). So much has changed since then – social media, personal devices, cloud services, blockchain – sometimes it feels like a brave new world. And yet so much has stayed the same. The most pressing RM trend in 2001 was big buckets in retention schedules. The most hotly anticipated technology was artificial intelligence (AI) and records auto-classification. The biggest issue was how to effectively manage email. Guess what: we’re still talking about the same things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />Even so there exists today a kind of technological optimism that, pretty soon now, there will be a breakthrough in AI and then RM will be a matter of letting the technology automate everything. I’m constantly tempted by that notion, but when I get my head out of the clouds, I know not to expect it anytime soon. Why is that? Because while the technology to manage information grows steadily, the complexity of information grows rapidly. We still have nothing but trouble managing email – and the technology is almost 50 years <a href="http://www.nethistory.info/History%20of%20the%20Internet/email.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">old</a>!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />I believe that the issues of tomorrow will be the issues of today, but clothed in different colours and styles. We will be struggling to separate transitory information from official information; we will be looking for more effective ways to identify official information eligible for disposition; we will be striving to protect information from premature destruction through retention policies and legal holds. There will be a continuing effort to automate records processes and bring information governance principles to structured data, social media, mobile platforms, and the next trend in information sharing, whatever (as yet <a href="https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2018/" target="_blank">unknown</a>) form that takes. Some of you may disagree with me on this, but I haven’t been convinced otherwise yet because information still holds massive legal and operational risk and value, and because it’s what history tells me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />So: do not believe that the job of the Records Manager is a short-term prospect. Records Managers (or information managers, or information governance professionals), with their knowledge and experience of the principles of managing information, are critical to organizations moving forward into the next age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My two cents. Please leave comments, especially if you agree and more especially if you disagree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br /><a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb;">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-64992611067923873162018-01-08T09:40:00.005-07:002018-02-05T08:17:01.487-07:00CRM Workshop - PostponedFor those that saw the post previous to this (now removed), the CRM workshop has been postponed. We will look to offer it in the spring sometime - stay posted or check the ARMA Calgary website at <a href="http://www.armacalgary.org/">www.armacalgary.org</a>.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff<br />
ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmliaison@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-11375100688088532792017-12-22T07:48:00.001-07:002018-02-05T08:17:13.531-07:00Happy Holidays - and a New CRM Workshop!While details aren't 100% finalized yet, ARMA Calgary is hosting another CRM workshop at the end of January, with yours truly again facilitating it. The last workshop, held in April, was very successful - several attendees passed CRM exams following the workshop, and two attendees went on to pass Part 6 and get their CRM designation. It was a day of great learning! Details about the January workshop should be coming out in the new year, so if you're reading this ahead of time, you've got advance knowledge!<br />
<br />
Because the last week has slowed down just a little bit, I've been cleaning up my email. It's a chore, because they've been piling up for about 2 years (since the last time I did a big clean up) and... please don't judge me... I have thousands of emails to individually check and make a decision on (transitory, transitory, official, transitory...). I'll be dreaming about it in my sleep tonight. But it sure is a good feeling to have it done, if I can finish it today... I'm hoping. I'm also trying to set myself up for success in the new year; I'm setting aside time on my calendar for email management and I've created a couple of rules and keyboard shortcuts that make it quick and easy to move messages to their appropriate folders. Maybe next December I'll share how well this is working. :)<br />
<br />
I wish for you a Merry Christmas, a wonderful break, however long that might be, and a spectacular New Year. See you in 2018!<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmliaison@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-66740487603386985672017-10-25T14:15:00.001-06:002018-02-05T08:19:07.591-07:00Some Clarification of CRA vs. CRMA recent experience should be shared for those of you that are considering the CRA (Certified Records Analyst) versus the CRM (Certified Records Manager) designations. By way of review:<br />
<ul>
<li>You get your CRA designation when you pass parts 2, 3, and 4</li>
<li>You get your CRM designation when you pass all 6 parts</li>
</ul>
A candidate I know recently applied for her CRM designation and was approved for taking the exams. However, her notice of approval said CRA, not CRM, and when she went to register for exams she was blocked from registering for Part 1 and Part 5. Confusion ensued!! Instead of living in perpetual wonder, I emailed the good folks at the ICRM and got a phone call back from Meghan who cleared the confusion. The issue? The candidate had checked the "CRA Credential Requested" box in her application, which is an option for applicants who want to get the CRA (either exclusively, or as a stepping stone to the CRM).<br />
<br />
In the grand scheme of things, checking that box changes nothing. The requirements for qualifying for the CRA are exactly the same as for qualifying for the CRM. The only real difference is that, in the return notice that says "congratulations, you qualify!" it says "CRA" in the title instead of "CRM." It was a surprise to Meghan that the candidate couldn't register for part 1 and part 5 exams - she's looking into that, and presumably in the future parts 1 and 5 will be open to both CRA and CRM candidates.<br />
<br />
If I were only just now applying to the ICRM, I would probably go for the CRA and write parts 2, 3, and 4 first. Just so that I could put some official initials after my name sooner rather than later! But you're in no way limited by that, so the choice is up to you.<br />
<br />
Maybe this will clear up some confusion.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmliaison@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a><br />
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I heard this joke the other day, and it made me laugh. Scroll down for the answer.<br />
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What's brown and sticky?<br />
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A stick.<br />
(Laugh, groan, or roll your eyes. Your choice.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-49497625331382406742017-10-05T12:18:00.001-06:002018-02-05T08:18:57.550-07:00The Old vs. the NewThe CRM exams cover a wide spectrum between the old and the new. Technological questions may be covered in any exam part, and Part 5, Technology, specifically covers records systems, imaging, and electronic records management. At the same time, as a CRA/CRM candidate you are expected to know the full range of traditional paper processes as well. In fact, I've heard criticisms in the past about the fact that the CRM exam is "mired in ancient history."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QCts52N9ja_Euka4q06Q-WNL8vyKxM_5moYF37EkJUe4sKGJkS8x9G0MkydLIxEyLYYBJOvYnS4d0h9IXSEC8dQez6yQYqzAQMoE88nsdgLDHlqjIF_OupFo5MbjzjWJ9uzeqcYLxP1n/s1600/Modern+RM.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QCts52N9ja_Euka4q06Q-WNL8vyKxM_5moYF37EkJUe4sKGJkS8x9G0MkydLIxEyLYYBJOvYnS4d0h9IXSEC8dQez6yQYqzAQMoE88nsdgLDHlqjIF_OupFo5MbjzjWJ9uzeqcYLxP1n/s320/Modern+RM.PNG" width="235" /></a></div>
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<br />
Here's the thing: records managers still have to manage paper. Lots of it. <em>Tons</em> of it. And for the foreseeable future, that won't change. We look forward to the day - nay, <em>dream</em> of the day! - when we can leave paper processes behind, but for now most of us still have to manage those paper official records. And at the same time we work hard to adapt to the reality of constantly changing technology so that we can manage records in all formats appropriately for our organizations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRz-ecFIUsQcdLlfJI_7cNLM9gxKD_dYPO4YqfU8bjeI-LRUyhyphenhyphenoI2AwhGh7ciJhzsPuBDfg4klxYpp_KJDkkyY-ChkeWEGf-KEX0iRuarYDs14PKwYhZ6L_6Z0ZcJv9tP1kX8uPxW-bT/s1600/Super+Modern+RM.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="590" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRz-ecFIUsQcdLlfJI_7cNLM9gxKD_dYPO4YqfU8bjeI-LRUyhyphenhyphenoI2AwhGh7ciJhzsPuBDfg4klxYpp_KJDkkyY-ChkeWEGf-KEX0iRuarYDs14PKwYhZ6L_6Z0ZcJv9tP1kX8uPxW-bT/s400/Super+Modern+RM.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Therefore, when you study for exams, it's important to study the old - with apologies to all of the following, I'm talking about Saffady, Robek, and Langemo - as well as the new. The new is a little harder. Books on electronic records management are out there, and have value - I'm thinking of Smallwood, Blair, Kahn, plus many others - but when the books are even a couple of years old they're already out of date. That means you need to be on blogs, newsfeeds, the RM listserv, and webinars to really get a picture of what's happening now in electronic information management.<br />
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You might ask, "How likely is it that such leading-edge technology will be in the CRM exams?" I'm not sure - they make new questions all the time, so the chance is definitely there. But it's important for you to look beyond the exam. You don't become a great records manager by passing CRM exams; you become a great records manager by being engaged in the industry and following what's going on. You think you're studying for an exam?? No! You're studying for your career.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmliaison@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-88697899205291468352017-09-05T13:15:00.003-06:002017-10-05T11:14:08.191-06:00Calling All Aspiring CRM/CRAs...Ah, fall. The nights are getting cold, the leaves are turning yellow, and (as of today, with my kids) students are reluctantly stumbling back to school. It's part of the annual natural cycle.<br />
<br />
There's a concurrent cycle in the CRM world as well. The August exam cycle has just completed, and those with bleary eyes are getting some much-needed sleep. Exam writers are exulting, licking wounds, or both, and Part 6 writers are sitting on pins and needles until results are back. (The grading deadline for graders is today<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, so those results shouldn't be too far off.) And with everyone getting back to school and studies, the next generation</span> of potential CRM candidates is already pondering their professional development possibilities.<br />
<br />
Perhaps that's <em>you</em>. The CRM designation is still the most widely-recognized RIM credential out there, and it has a good reputation largely because the exam process is so grueling. Check out the <a href="http://www.icrm.org/taking-the-exams/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ICRM website</a> for information on the exams and on applying.<br />
<br />
If you have already committed to yourself or to your employer to write the exams, maybe you'd like a study partner? I can arrange to get introduce candidates and provided a suggested study approach if you're interested. Just give me a shout at <span class="baec5a81-e4d6-4674-97f3-e9220f0136c1" style="white-space: nowrap;">403-297-5746<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5273599426758999534#" style="border: currentColor; bottom: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: 16px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: static !important; right: 0px; top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap; width: 16px;" title="Call: 403-297-5746"><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="border: currentColor; bottom: 0px; display: inline; float: none; height: 16px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: static !important; right: 0px; top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap; width: 16px;" title="Call: 403-297-5746" /></a></span>.<br />
<br />
The next exam cycle is November 6-17, with registration closing November 2nd. For exam cycles for the next couple of years, look <a href="http://www.icrm.org/public/exams/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Good luck to our Part 6 candidates still awaiting word, and to all candidates happy studying.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff<br />
ICRM Liaison<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-78867184655232722392017-08-24T17:07:00.000-06:002017-08-24T17:07:03.142-06:00Your Vote Counts!The ICRM liaison typically acts as a guide and mentor for CRM candidates. I look forward to continuing in this role. I would like to add another dimension to my duties - and that is offering news and assistance to current CRMs who are often just as engaged in the CRM process, adding maintenance credits and keeping abreast of ICRM news. In this forum I will occasionally address current CRMs and CRAs directly (and, in fact, have done a little bit of that already!).<br />
<br />
So, for today, this: please vote for your ICRM board members! The election is now active, and if you are a CRM in good standing you would have received an email (on or around August 7th) which outlines the actions you need to take to vote. Have a look at the candidates (a lot of information is provided) and be a part of the future direction of the Institute of Certified Records Managers by casting your votes.<br />
<br />
In the meantime - I've been given one exam to mark for the August writing... to those of you waiting for that mark and potentially the official credential - good luck!!<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-89145869563506678972017-08-02T08:22:00.000-06:002017-08-02T08:22:29.065-06:00Books and more books!I get asked by a lot of people who are curious about the CRM designation, "Where do I buy the textbook?" They've hunted for it online and can't find anything.<br />
<br />
Of course, there <em>is</em> no textbook for the CRM. Or rather, EVERYTHING is the text book! It is up to the candidate to review the list of study topics for each exam and fill in the areas they're not so strong on with their own study. That means finding books, magazine articles, blog posts, webinars, conference sessions, chapter events, lunch & learns, and conversations with experienced practitioners, and then soaking it up. It's not as daunting as it looks - it just takes a bit of time, and the bonus is that learning it is enjoyable and even exciting.<br />
<br />
I have a whole library of records management and information government books. (Okay, maybe not a whole library, but quite a few all the same.) They're some of the classic study materials and include many of the recommended resources listed by the ICRM on their website. Some offerings:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Winning Strategies for Successful Records Management Programs (Langemo, 2002)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span></span></span>Records and Information Management: Fundamentals of Professional Practice (Saffady, 2011)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Records Management for Dummies (Richardson, 2012)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span>Micrographics: Technology for the 21st Century (Saffady, 2000)</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Records
Management:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making the Transition from
Paper to Electronic (Stephens, 2010)</span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Information
and Records Management:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Document Based
Information Systems (Robek, Brown, & Stephens, 1995)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barron’s
Business Guides:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dictionary of Computer
and Internet Terms (Downing et all, 2013)</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Records Management (Read & Ginn, 2007)</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Digital Document Management (Saffady, 2007)</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
Give me a shout to sign a book out. Or to ask any questions.<br />
<br />
A question to both CRA/CRM candidates and existing CRA/CRMs - what study resources did you find most helpful? Share them with us all in the comments.<br />
<br />
Happy studying.<br />
<br />Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ARMA Calgary ICRM Liaison<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-68239774777848990932017-04-11T08:03:00.004-06:002017-04-11T08:03:57.553-06:00CRM Workshop is FullI think back to the discussions at the ARMA Calgary board level - "Should we do a CRM workshop or not??" I knew that there were a couple of interested people but that was about it. Now the workshop is completely full! Congrats and thanks to all of those that registered. If you were thinking about it and waited too long - I'm sorry. Please let me know one way or another and it will help to guide us in how soon we offer the workshop again.<br />
<br />
And now I will take this opportunity to soapbox (cue heavy sighs). I have always felt that the CRM designation, and the knowledge and experience that comes with it, is <em>forward</em> looking, not backwards looking. If you wear your CRM designation as badge of the bygone era of paper management, you're unfortunately missing its point. The CRM prepares us for the future, and for the storm of information change that we're already in. There was no way to predict the impact that personal computers would have on information management in the 80's and 90's. There was no way to predict the impact of the internet in the 2000's, or of social media or mobile computing more recently. There is no way to predict what else is coming around the corner - be it AI or quantum computing or blockchain or something else. What we DO know is this: organizations need people who understand the fundamental risks and requirements of information, no matter its form, and how those risks and requirements are managed. I constantly go back to the generally-accepted recordkeeping <a href="http://www.arma.org/r2/generally-accepted-br-recordkeeping-principles" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">principles</a> and consider how they are fundamental to all eras of IM.<br />
<br />
Soapboxing is done... go forth and manage. :)<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br /> ICRM Liaison<br /> ARMA Calgary<br /><a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org"><span style="color: #2288bb;">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</span></a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273599426758999534.post-86812451461653480122017-03-20T13:58:00.002-06:002017-03-21T08:22:51.540-06:00CRM Preparation Workshop Confirmed for April 25Yes, you readers of the CRM blog get the inside scoop!! The earlier <a href="http://armacalgarycrmcandidates.blogspot.ca/2017/01/possible-crm-workshop-in-april.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rumour</a> has come true, and the CRM prep workshop is confirmed for April 25.<br />
<br />
We're trying to make it as accommodating as possible. You can stay for Parts 1 to 5 (the morning), Part 6 (the afternoon), or stay the whole day for the whole workshop. You can also take just the <a href="http://armacalgarycrmcandidates.blogspot.ca/2016/10/icrm-offers-new-certification-certified.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CRA</a> prep - this is Parts 2 to 4 - which we will be covering first thing in the morning, at a reduced rate. So the agenda looks like this (times are subject to change):<br />
<br />
8:00 - Parts 2-4 (CRA preparation)<br />
10:00 - Parts 1 and 5<br />
12:00 - Lunch<br />
12:30 - Part 6<br />
4:30 - Adjournment<br />
<br />
Part 6 is all on its own because, of course, it is a written exam. And the afternoon will include an orientation and strategies for Part 6, following by an actual exam session: you will be given an exam question and have 2 hours to create a response. All responses will receive a detailed feedback report, provided by an actual Part 6 exam marker. (Yes, that person is me.) Prices are currently set to range from $70 for the CRA prep to $125 for the whole day. Perhaps I'm biased, but it's a heck of a deal.<br />
<br />
The registration hasn't been set up yet, but by all means please set the day aside. Hope you can make it! if you have any questions by all means ask away.<br />
<br />
Wayne Hoff, CRM, IGP<br />
ICRM Liaison<br />
ARMA Calgary<br />
<a href="mailto:icrmrep@armacalgary.org">icrmrep@armacalgary.org</a><br />
<br />
<br />
* * * * * * * * * * * <strong>Late breaking bulletin!!</strong> * * * * * * * * * * * * *<br />
<br />
The announcement from ARMA Calgary just came out this morning. You can find full details and a registration link for the workshop <a href="https://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1976&EID=23949" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0