 |
Barbara Szczepańska
The information broker - the profession with the future or a futuristic
profession?
| |
The Lovells Law Library in Warsaw
|
This article was translated thanks to the grant received from the Open Society Institute
|
The realisation that one is a member of a profession that constantly
evolves and adjusts itself to changing reality is very exciting and
confidence building. To be aware that one is along for the ride toward
new and exciting professional future can a big incentive, and provide
encouragement to stay active and be involved in the job market evolution
and development.
The profession of a librarian creates such opportunities, not to mention
its important role of a guide helping the readers safely navigate
through the maze of information resources and pertinent literature.
The information resources, in the process of constant growth, create
many difficulties and obstacles for users who lack experience in
information research.
Recent dynamic development of trade and economic contacts
forces entrepreneurs to show initiative and be active not only in the
field of business, but also in accessing information about the
competition, new markets, new technological trends and new research.
The entrepreneurs themselves, lacking necessary expertise in the
information field, create demand for specialists of this kind.
On the other hand, the librarians who perform their jobs in places that,
by virtue of their structure, are sources of all information, deal with
various information sources, get to know new research strategies and
explore the Internet on a daily basis. It is safe to assume that they
are such specialists and the demand for their services seems to be
constantly growing.
Why not, then, stop being just librarians, and become self-employed
information brokers who use their expertise and work experience?
In order to clarify the meaning of a word infobroker (the broker of
information), one needs to explain the term broker as presented in
dictionaries first. A broker is a person who acts as an intermediary
(middleman) between parties in matters of sales and acquisitions of
stock options, securities or trade services.[1] Therefore, the term,
information broker signifies a person who deals exclusively in
information.[2] Another important aspect of this profession job
description (and of the term itself) is the verification of
information. The infobroker is not only expected (bound by
regulations) to provide reliable information, but also to guarantee
and be responsible for its accuracy. Thus, the infobroker's role is
very much the same as that of a stockbroker, whom we entrust our money
and expect to invest it wisely. The accuracy of information is
indicative of infobroker's activity. Naturally, infobrokers, however
well versed in their profession, do not have monopoly on all
information. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for them to use the
services of specialists and consultants of various fields or, in other
words, specialised infobrokers.
Professor Konrad Fijałkowski, in his research, compared the relationship
of infobrokers and their specialised counterparts to that of the car
manufacturer and the manufacturer of spare parts and their mutual
dependency.[3]
The smooth and reliable co-operation of infobrokers is incredibly
important as the stakes are high namely, the trust and confidence of
clients in their ability to provide accurate and comprehensive
data (reports, opinions, etc.) is of essence. The acquired
material constitutes the foundation for important decision-making
(financial, in particular).
In short when an infobroker's client fails the infobroker fails, as
well.
The most significant feature of this profession, however, is
its independent earning profile. Infobrokers are self-employed, create
job positions themselves, are not bound by the company interests and
policies, and are free to choose their clientele (both large and smaller
firms).
The profession of an infobroker emerged in the 60-ties, in the United
States, along with the advent of such technological improvements as
copiers and printers. The significantly shortened time of
information gathering changed the perception of
information activities.
All of a sudden, the library staff realised that their activities can
become very meaningful to business, and be of commercial value. (The
libraries do not charge users for their services, therefore, it is clear
that infobrokers should act as independent economical items).
In time, the need for an exchange of information and integration
surfaced among infobrokers.
In 1987, 26 independent infobrokers from the U.S., Europe and South
America established The Association of Independent Information
Professionals [http://www.aiip.org], which started its activities by
setting the organisational standards and consolidation of their
professional environment. The members of the Association counsel and
advise a variety of companies worldwide.
Such firms, despite the fact that they possess their own libraries with
well-equipped information departments, often use the services of
infobrokers. Many American infobrokers expand the scope of their
services with instruction services by organising courses teaching
people the use of the Internet techniques, structure build-up and
development of company Intranet.
The name of the Association includes the term information
professional , rather than the broker of information . The term
information professional is used interchangeably with terms:
independent researcher, knowledge broker, data dealer, cybrarian, or
infobroker.[4]
The Association of Independent Information Professionals created its
code of ethics with the following guidelines:
The Association will:
- maintain the highest professional standard by honest, competent and
confidential relationships with clients;
- answer its clients queries with utmost accuracy, reliability,
to-the-point and in a timely manner;
- answer its clients queries in the most straightforward way;
- act in accordance with the law and regulations of professional
associations of infobrokers;
- observe the confidentiality clause;
- observe the regulations pertaining to intellectual property and
adhering to license agreements and contracts (also, informing clients
about contractual limitations);
- maintain professional relationships with libraries and observing
regulations of access to contents;
- accept and adhere to the rules of the code of ethics.[5]
It is imperative that infobrokers observe the rules of the established
code of ethics, after all its content constitutes the core of their
profession, and this is how they establish themselves in this field.
Anyone who considers trying their potential as an infobroker[6] should,
first and foremost, get well acquainted with the principles of the
profession. Then, a very important and conscious decision about the
transition from the secure position of a salaried employee to a
self-employed person should follow.
This refers to people who consider the change of profession - not to
young, dynamic, detemined starters, already in the process of learning
the tricks of the trade, who do not shy away from taking risks.
Nevertheless, now is the time for the experienced librarians to
consider, initially on a part-time basis, a trial run of sorts as
self-employed infrobrokers especially that the competition is still not
that strong.
The initial activities (of a potential infobroker) should include
strategic decisions regarding future professional
activities, potential clients and the firm's legal frame.
The first step is to choose the so-called target clientele .
For example: a person whose professional experience is within
the medical field would choose pharmaceutical companies, foundations,
research institutes, other medical associations and corporations to be
their clients.
Librarians employed at various legal libraries and university
departments would look for clients among lawyers, notaries and various
legal corporations.
It is important that the target clientele be chosen correctly and
focused on, especially in the beginning of a working relationship. It
is also advisable to determine the approximate number of
businesses that would fit the profile of targeted activities. It
is also important to define whether these firms are aware of their
information needs and requirements.
A very important element of a planning strategy is the legal definition
of the future activity. A helpful tool various Internet services
destined for smaller companies provide a very detailed, step-by-step
information about required procedures. Another important
element of the strategy is the decision about working solo or creating a
partnership as it considerably affects the profile of legal frame of
the whole enterprise.
The next step is the creation of a business plan, with a detailed
structure including expenses, projected revenue should follow. This
is, undoubtedly, the most difficult part of the whole plan, as the
definition of future expenses (employees salaries, insurance payments,
office equipment purchases, tax payments) requires a lengthy and
meticulous financial analysis. Then, the profile of the future
infobroker's activity should be defined in detail, and the decision
about the purchase of respective databases, either on CD-ROMs or
provided by the Internet.
Of all preliminary activities mentioned in this article, the most
complicated seems to be the evaluation of service fees.
Already existing info-sources price lists can be of help here, for
example: prices proposed by Internet Securities service.
Before any search for information is initiated one needs to verify the
price of a one-hour search on an on-line database (i.e. Gazeta Wyborcza
archives, Infor server)[7] and follow up with a rough estimate of other
activities related to research. This is when a business plan comes into
play with its evaluation of expenses and detailed cost
breakdown.
David Lyne, Head of InfoSearch International, published an article
giving an account of his beginnings as an infobroker and enclosed some
helpful instructions regarding initial steps leading to the set-up of an
info-brokerage firm.[8]
Regardless of how futuristic the profession of an information broker may
seem to the reader at the moment, there is nothing unrealistic about
it. However few librarians may be ready to take such a drastic step in
their professional lives now, the others should keep in minds that, with
the know-how and experience in the field of gathering and processing
information, they are perfectly fit for such a switch. They should also
consider the very tempting possibility of working from their homes, as
the information required is readily available through their PCs. Taking
into consideration the ever-growing demand for such services and almost
non-existent competition, it seems that now is the time to make the
move.
It goes without saying that before any potential infobroker embarks on
an exciting new career, he or she should first overcome two major
barriers: financial (the start-up funds) and psychological (the
transition from the security of a regular paycheck to the position of a
free-lancer). However, it is well worth to at least ponder the
possibilities that the development of this profession may create in the
future.
Depending on the readers interest and demand, EBIB will provide
adequate information and counselling for anybody who considers the
possibility of working as an independent commercial entity.
Footnotes
[1] Słownik wyrazów obcych. Warsaw 2000, p. 144.
[2] B. Mi¶: Zawód: infobroker. Wiedza i Życie 2001 no 4, p. 23.
[3] Ibidem, p. 24.
[4] An extensive bibliography on the subject of infobrokers can be found on the pages of Burwell Publishing Company: Articles and Proceedings.
In Burwell Enterprises, Inc. Publishing for the Information
Professional. [on-line]. [20 November 2002]. Access mode: original site content removed, 19.01.2006
[5] Code of Ethical Business Practice. In Association of
Independent Information Professionals [on-line]. [20 November
2002]. Access mode:
<http://www.aiip.org/AboutAIIP/aiipethics.html>.
[6] Courses on how to become an information broker are organised
within the scope of Public Relations specialisation at the Wyższa Szkoła Społeczno-Ekonomiczna in Warsaw. In the beginning of 2003, the department of social communication and media at Wyższa Szkoła Umiejętno¶ci Społecznych in Poznań will include similar courses.
[7] It does not mean that, while subscribing to a service, one must pay for each article. The database has its regular fees, and the pricing of
particular articles has been worked out according the needs of firms
and institutions in need of information.
[8] Line, David. Lessons of Start-Up. In Burwell Enterprises, Inc.
Publishing for the Information Professional. [on-line]. [20
Novembser 2002]. Access mode: original site content removed, 19.01.2006
Translated by Dorota Jaglarz
|
