Scott writes:
>>The biggest difference of all between amateuer and professional is how
well you cover your mistakes ;-)
<<

I might say, "...how well you RE-cover from your mistakes." A part of my
definition of professionalism is NOT covering up mistakes at all. Admitting
I don't know something, or bringing a mistake immediately to light is a
good way to gain credibility with a client. Of course, I organize the work
and relationship to allow for it and I'm always ready with an effective
recovery, etc. The neatest think to do is go to a conference and present a
session describing my mistakes. Some of my fellow professionals look at me
like I'm crazy to do it, but it buys a lot of credibility with others. In
fact, as a consultant, I sometimes get paid to make mistakes. We call it
Testing & Development. By organizing a lot of purposful mistakes, tracking
the results and analyzing them into strategies and methods for avoiding
mistakes it can generate a lot of value for the client.

One of my favorite pundits in another field (Jerry Pornelli, in computers &
electronics) who writes up all his experiences and mistakes in a monthly
column, often says, "I make these mistakes so you don't have to."

John

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