My approach to reporting and writing
“This is not reporting, it’s stenography!” - James W. Michaels, former editor of Forbes
My work – whether it’s a 400-word news story or a 4,000-word magazine article – does not just report what’s happening. There are plenty of places readers can go to find out what’s happening. I tell readers why it matters. My articles interpret and analyze what’s happening, pinpoint why and then explain how that’s going to affect the reader.
Before accepting an assignment, I make sure I understand the publication and what the editor wants the reader to take away from the article. If it’s a topic I’ve previously covered, I often draw on my vast network of sources in technology, business and government. I also love diving into new subjects – my love of learning is one of the reasons why I chose this profession. I check in frequently as my reporting progresses, making sure the editor knows and approves of the direction the story is taking.
Technology Clips
If it has to do with information technology or electronics, I’ve probably covered it. I’ve written about everything along the technology food chain, from microprocessors to supercomputers. Here are just a few:
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“Public Service Gets Smarter” IBM Data Management Magazine, Issue 3, 2009
“Power struggle: What role should IT play in reining in energy costs?” Computerworld, February 2009
“One Giant Leap for Analytics? Web 2.0 has the potential to deliver a lot more data, but not necessarily easy answers” The Advertiser, February 2008
“Technology Keeps Union Pacific on the Fast Track” AMD Accelerate Magazine, June 2009
“The Darker Side of Webmail” Computerworld, April 2008
Back to topBusiness Clips
I write about companies, business issues and C-level executives. I’ve done features on companies and the people who run them, delving not only into financial and market strategies, but also into corporate cultures. I’ve profiled entrepreneurs at small businesses as well as CEOs of billion-dollar corporations.
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“Business Interruptus: Prep Now to Avoid H1N1 Flu Outages Later” Computerworld, November 2009
“Keep Your Key Projects Off the Chopping Block” Computerworld, February 2009
“Dark Secrets and Ugly Truths: When Ethics and IT Collide” Computerworld, September 2007
“Street Smart” Electronic Business, December 2004
Public Policy Clips
My Washington, D.C., location gives me access to those who make and influence public policy, including Congress, federal agencies, lobbyists and trade associations. I report on legislation that impacts business, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as particular laws and regulations that impact the technology industry, such as limits on H1B visas. Federal agencies that I’ve covered include:
- Federal Communications Commission (spectrum, broadband, digital TV)
- Securities & Exchange Commission (financial regulation and reform)
- Environmental Protection Agency (e-waste, Energy Star)
- International Trade Commission (unfair trade practices)
- Justice Department (anti-trust investigations)
- Commerce Department (import-export issues, NTIA)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (patent reform)
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (futures/derivatives trading regulation)
“Washington Goes to Wall Street” SFO Magazine, July 2009
“Stimulating Prospects” Ingram Micro Channel Advisor, Fall 2009
“Forex Regulation Bites Business” SFO Magazine, January 2009
“The World Confronts Its E-Waste Nightmare” OnEarth Magazine, Fall 2006
“Making Waves in Washington” Electronic Business, November 2003
“Politically Correct Chairman Powell” Electronic Business, February 2003
