Forms Talk

How to find previous issues of Forms Talk

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

At the Canadian Forms Institute, a member asked me how to find previous issues of Forms Talk. She didn't want to save them all on her system. Good news! All you need to do is save this link.

Forms Talk uses a blog, TypePad, to house all the articles. 24/7 you will find the full current issue here. You can search further by issue and by category.

To access previous issues, scroll down the right column until you find the section titled Archives, and select the month of your choice.

To browse a category, scroll down the left column until you find the section titled Categories, and select the topic of interest.

Save yourself some grief in the future and save the link to your favorites or bookmarks now. It'll come in handy later.

How to Spread the Word

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

All of us have connections to others. After all, that's what makes us the social networking beings we are. Perhaps you have been forwarding Forms Talk or BFMA's educational announcements to collegaues. That's great, but why not connect with them directly? Here are easy ways to hook up other forms professionals directly with BFMA's doings.

Please feel free to forward these links to colleagues and customers. They can add themselves to BFMA's lists as desired.

To sign up for Forms Talk, the BFMA newsletter, and educational announcements: http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/signup.php?cd=47002&ld=2

To receive only information on educational events: http://server1.streamsend.com/streamsend/signup.php?cd=47002&ld=12

To become a member of BFMA: http://www.bfma.org/tour1.php

How often have we observed that BFMA is a best kept 'secret' only because people don't know about it? People entering the forms profession are thrilled when they find BFMA and connect with other people who speak their language and share their concerns. There's simply nothing else in the world like BFMA and the forms educational programs just can't be beat. Let's get the word out about BFMA's programs and networking opportunities.

Everyone is welcome to share these tools, including individuals and sponsors. These are free services and membership is not required. Please help us to find other forms professionals and spread the word!

The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

If you recognize the title of this article, you may recall that it is a section title from First Things First, the book by Stephen Covey, Roger Merrill and Rebecca Merrill. An oldie but a goodie, with enduring principles for effective living. If you haven't read it yet, I recommend it. But I digress.

The point of this article is to provide a simple tip to help you easily read each issue of Forms Talk. When you follow a link in the e-newsletter to the blog, you see only one story. Rather than following the links to get to each story, you can see them all with one selection. Once you are in the blog, notice the links at the center top of the page. Select Main, and all the articles will be displayed in a continuous string. Scroll and read at your pleasure. Oh yes, and comment, too. Take advantage of those blog tools.

You can also use this link to view the latest issue in the same way. But you may not always have that link handy. As long as you remember to click the Main link at the top of the blog page, you'll be set. The Main Thing is important in so many ways.

Newsletter Volunteers Needed

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

Forms Talk volunteers edit and format articles and help produce the newsletter each month. Everyone is welcome to apply, especially those with writing, editing, graphics or technical skills. Please contact me if you are interested.

Forms Talk is One Year Old!

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

THIS IS OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!!! Yes, the first issue of Forms Talk was published in November of last year and this is our first big milestone! I'm mighty proud and would like to acknowledge our authors and the members of the marketing council for this accomplishment.

Forms Talk is written by the members for the members. We simply couldn’t do this without our wonderful authors and contributors. All the credit for the content of this newsletter goes to them. If you enjoy their articles, you might send them a word of appreciation. Or start making comments on the articles in TypePad. We'd love to see that.

This year marks BFMA's 50th anniversary and Forms Talk's 1st anniversary. BFMA has roots, but it's innovating too. We have learned and made progress over the last year. Forms Talk carries continuing features, such as articles to develop expertise, to discuss the benefits of BFMA membership, and to introduce coordinators on the Membership Council. It announces educational opportunities and association news. The chapter listings have grown over recent months to become more complete. You can just see the progress. There have been articles by members, chapter representatives, and board members. We set up photo albums for on site events and even posted our first podcast in June.

The October issue, in particular, shows how Forms Talk has grown. It was full of interesting and usable news. The educational event reviews were great, as was Beth Curry’s article about taking learnings from the educational events to her team.

I loved it when Ann Sargent said in the middle of her presentation at the Fall Forms Institute at Mayo Clinic, 'You know you're a forms professional when you save copies of other peoples' forms'. Well, you know people are reading Forms Talk when they pick up on Robin Miller's refrain from symposium and the 2 subsequent articles in Forms Talk! We can all identify with completing that sentence.

We also made progress on distribution. In addition to members and sponsors, Forms Talk is now distributed to BFMA friends from Formspace, former members and prospects, and others who have signed up to receive it.

I would like to recognize the members of the marketing council. Raymond Garner, Krista Hampton, and Justiss Boyer and I volunteer our time to make this newsletter come together each month. We’ve had fun and learnings along the way, from finding the tools to use, to setting up the structure (special nod to Sarah Richart, a former member of the council for the masthead design), and putting together a process to publish each issue. And we’ve gotten to know each other in the process.

The idea behind Forms Talk was to create an interactive vehicle to share BFMA’s news. The whole point is to help us to connect with each other. So, what’s your take on this newsletter? Is it working? Do you have ideas for Forms Talk? Topics you’d like to see covered here? Authors you’d recommend? Would you like to contribute an article or column, or even work on the newsletter? We are ready to innovate more! The Marketing Council would love to hear your thoughts. Post here, or write to us. Let’s talk!

Plan for Continuing Education

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

We all know the value of continuing education. Now, particularly in this time of economic fluctuation, it is important to stay in close touch with industry developments and best practices to bring the greatest value possible to our organizations. We need to be prepared to help our organizations with improved business efficiencies and service. BFMA educational events bring into focus the tangible productivity gains and customer experience improvements that an effective forms management program can deliver.

BFMA is the best source of specialized forms education in the world. Whether you are new or experienced in the field, keep in mind the significant benefits that your organization can reap by applying ideas available at BFMA educational events. These powerful ideas dwarf the cost of attendance. The expertise offered by sponsors and industry veterans is unmatched. Plan now to be able to take advantage of educational opportunities that BFMA will provide in 2009. These include Symposium, two Canadian Forms Institutes, a significantly expanded Fall Forms Institute, and Master Series (webinars), as well as professional certification opportunities.

Traditionally, forms management departments have helped to control costs, and, of course, that is an easily demonstrated direct benefit. But today's forms management program can also increase automation, significantly improving productivity and improving the customer experience, thus contributing to the bottom line.

Demonstrating direct value to your organization benefits both you and your organization. To be able to contribute these ideas at the right time we need to be knowledgeable and ready. For a limited time, BFMA offers a way to register for symposium at a $100 discount, so if you are able, lock in that discount by registering before year end. Regardless of the path you choose, find a way to learn and add value with continuing education.

How to Comment on Articles in Forms Talk

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

Forms Talk uses a blog tool to allow interaction on any article. Do you have opinions or color to add to a story? Ever wonder how to make your own comment? There are two ways to do it. Plus, you can keep an eye on recent comments to see if you might like to pop in. Easy breezy.

1. If you follow a link directly from the e-newsletter, TypePad presents the article followed immediately by fields to enter your indentifying information and comment. Type it in, preview it, and post!
2. If you are reading an issue of Forms Talk from top to bottom*, look for the Comments link in small print right under the line that follows the article. Select the comments link to bring up the screen to enter your identifying information and comment.

The author who submitted the article will be notified of your comment and is likely to respond right in the blog, if a response is called for.

Check back to Forms Talk during the month to see what conversations are going on. Recent comments show in the right column of Forms Talk, so you can spot them easily. Save the link to your Favorites so it's easy to check.

OK, time to practice! Is this article useful to you? Agree, disagree, ask a question, mix it up! The more we all participate, the livlier this tool will be! Add your comment here, or on any other article in Forms Talk. Your keyboard is calling to you - use me, use me!

*To read Forms Talk in one go, see the tips on How to navigate an issue of Forms Talk in one fell swoop. (The main tip is to select Main at the top of the screen.)

How to Navigate Forms Talk in One Fell Swoop

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

Do you connect to the full stories in Forms Talk one by one, using the links in the e-newsletter, clicking back and forth? Ever think, "Gee, it'd be nice to just browse through the articles in this issue from top to bottom"? Here's how to see them all in one place. Easy sneezy.

From the e-newsletter that arrives via e-mail, choose a link to an article. This takes you to a blog, where the full articles are available. The President's Message leads each month's issue, and choosing it will take you to the top of the list, but any article link will take you to the blog.

Once you are in the blog, choose the 'Main' link near the top middle of the page. This will bring all the full articles to your screen, and you can simply scroll up and down within the issue to read them all. Or, use the article titles with arrows next to 'Main' to move through the articles that way.

If you see an article that you'd like to have your say on, click on the Comments link right under the horizontal line and add your two cents worth. Go ahead, break out and make a comment. The more we all comment, the livelier this tool will be!

Marketing Council Openings

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

The Marketing Council produces Forms Talk and helps to market BFMA’s program offerings. A major goal this year is to develop a marketing plan, which will provide direction for the future, including positioning and changes to the website.

We are looking for members with writing, editing, graphics or technical skills to join the Marketing Council. Perhaps you’d like to work on the newsletter, write a monthly member profile or help produce collateral. We are also interested in folks with education and/or experience in developing marketing plans, and in strategic planning. If you have an interest in helping to advance BFMA this could be a rewarding role for you. The time commitment includes weekly council meetings, project work, and several hours a month on the newsletter.

Serving on the council is a way to contribute to BFMA’s future, and to develop professionally. If you would enjoy working with others as part of the Marketing Council or would like more information, please contact Lisa Lee, Raymond Garner or Krista Hampton.

Blog Lurve

By: Justiss Boyer-Cowland
Marketing Council

So here’s the skinny, the news, the haps, the 411, all that jazz.

Last month I talked a little bit about the perception of the newsletter/blog and the Marketing Council's objective of creating an interactive tool to not only inform and share but to also collaborate and invite you to participate in the discussion.

“But wait, isn’t that what forms space is for?” SURE! Forms Space is absolutely for that, but the newsletter is our device to relay specific topics for discussion open to anyone who wants to participate. For example, Margaret Tassin’s post about the new I-9 affects every business that employs personnel, that form change mandated by the Federal Government affects our Industry.

So, how do you interact with the newsletter and the Blog? It is so simple, and I’m glad you asked.

First, when you receive the newsletter you’re given great lead-ins to the articles and then links to read on. Once you’ve selected the link and read the article posted on the Blog, you’re then given the opportunity to post a comment. Just type in your comment and contact info. The comment is sent directly to the author and placed within the post.

Save the blog site to your favorites and check back throughout the month to see what comments have come in from others. (New comments are easy to spot in the right column, under the pictures.) Follow the conversation and jump in when you are so moved. The more comments we have the more interesting the discussion will be. Here's the link to save: http://bfma.typepad.com/blog

We look forward to reading your comments!

Comments in action:  http://bfma.typepad.com/blog/2008/01/the-forms-manag.html - comments

A new year, a new name

By:Justiss Boyer – Cowland

Marketing Council

First of all I would like to thank everyone who participated in helping name the newsletter!  We had some great titles to choose from and it was no easy task, believe me!  The winner is… Forms Talk!  This name was actually submitted by our lovely Lisa Lee, but since she is on the board she has graciously given up her spot at a webinar.  However, we still need to give it away so be on the lookout for your chance to grab it!

The new name has been created into an awesome graphic by a marketing council member, Sarah Richart, as you can see above.

Along with this new name, there are tons of new things going on in the world of forms and we want to use the newsletter as an interactive tool. As technology has expanded, we’ve had to grow and redefine as well and we hope you’ve been doing the same.  There is always a need for an outlet, and I don’t know about you but until I heard about the headline in Houston’s Chronicle, I hadn’t heard of forms being newsworthy enough to be talked about!  But then again, maybe Forms are being talked about and I don’t know!  Not only are we here to share the news, we’re also here to listen!

So how do we use the newsletter as an interactive tool?  When you click on a link from the newsletter it takes you to the BFMA blog, the placeholder for the newsletter articles.  This is where you can read the articles and search for old ones.  We’ve also got calendar information and photo albums!  Add something about: bookmark this site so you can come back throughout the month and check out the comments. Communicate with us first and foremost by leaving a comment.  Just saying hi and giving us an opinion about an article is a great start. Then, if you want to go further, ask a question.  Did you know that when you leave a comment, an email gets sent DIRECTLY to the author of that article?  It is amazing!  So please leave your name and email so we know who you are!!

Blogs, though they have been around for about 10 years or so, have become very popular within the last 3 or 4 years and are gaining momentum every day.  Do you have some favorite blogs you venture to?  Are you new to the blog-scene?  Or maybe you’ve got no clue how to use this thing!  Or better yet, you have your own! Leave a comment, and let us know!  Maybe there are some form blogs out there and we just didn’t know!

Next month I will list a couple blogs I’ve found on the subject of forms. Hey, we might even be reading the same ones!

Top Five

By: Justiss Boyer
Marketing Council, BFMA

Have you ever seen High Fidelity? Or maybe you've read the Nick Hornby book. The main character, Rob, can give you a bibliographical account of his life in the form of Top 5 lists. We’ve sort of done the same thing, except with BFMA and Forms in mind. It wasn’t easy, but we think we did a fine job picking the top 5 finalists who best epitomize or express the BFMA newsletter. It has been great to see your response to the BFMA sponsored contest, Help us Name the Newsletter! SO many choices and all were excellent! It was really hard deciding which five would make it to the finals, but we did it and we are so excited even we can hardly wait for the winner!

The Top 5 finalists are (in no particular order)!

1. In Good Form

2. All About Forms

3. Forms Talk

4. BFMA Live!

5. TransFORMer

Thanks again so much for helping us out! The winner will be revealed in the January edition of the newsletter!

It’s a sign of the times…

By: Marketing Council
Justiss Boyer, Raymond Garner, Brian Hadfield, Lisa Lee, Sarah Richart

Hey, what’s this? An email, a newsletter, and a blog – oh my!

Yes folks, that’s right: BFMA has jumped on the blog bandwagon and we’re excited to bring you along for the ride. A top priority for BFMA is to open up communication and build a solid community with its members and sponsors. We are very thrilled to introduce this newsletter and blog! Our hope is to collaborate and share beyond symposium and formspace. If you ask what the content is going to be all about, you’ve asked the right question. The content and direction of the newsletter will be driven directly by your interests. We ask you to help shape what it will become. You can do this by commenting, sending emails to your board members, sharing information, even by helping us name the Newsletter and the Blog!

BFMA’s 50^th year anniversary is also an awakening. Half a century of forms and processes and we’ve gone from purely paper forms to paper, electronic and web applications! Knowledge is power and the only way to that knowledge is through sharing, education, and collaboration.

We need to know what you need to know. What do you want the newsletter/blog to address? Articles can be very specific to your interests. Topics could range beyond forms themselves. They could include professional journeys, developments in the industry, features and more. By leveraging today’s technologies we can interact even though we are geographically distant. Just click on the comments link and add your perspective. Other members will be able to see your comments and add their own.

We know you are in complete AWE of this awesome tool and what the future holds in terms of communication. Help us keep the awe alive! There are 3 ways you can do this! Help name this thing, tell us what should be in it, and share your comments!