Everyday we can lose a lot of time searching for information and still not be sure we have the whole story.
So where DO you start? To help you out here are three things to ask yourself before you start to get better insights from your search.
1.Work out what the real question is before you start looking for answers.
Start throwing words into Google too soon and you can end up wasting time. You might find yourself with too many open tabs and bookmarked links to manage.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to know? before asking Where will I find it?
2.Know your audience: who are you speaking to and what do they need to know?
It doesn't matter if you are preparing a background briefing, business case, or a presentation. Anticipating your audience's questions can help you plan your search.
Ask yourself: Who will read this? and use this inside knowledge to work out what you need to understand and search for.
3.What are you already paying to know?
If magazines or industry emails are routinely circulated at work, there’s a good chance your organisation pays to subscribe to some of them.
Ask yourself: Are we already paying for industry information that we aren’t fully utilising?
Want to know more than these three tips?Don’t want to get inundated or misled by fake news or fail to find the critical information needed?
Our Smarter Searching Workshop outlines a step-by-step research process designed specifically for all professionals who have had to search for companies, government information, markets, industries, business, products or people.
You will leave with tips, tools and resources you can use to search effectively so you can have the best information possible on hand to help you make good business decisions.
If you are overloaded with information, struggle to find what you need to know without losing hours to the task or want to know ways of getting better search results faster – then check out www.smartersearchingworkshop.com.au to register now.
I'm an experienced information researcher with a deep understanding of effective search strategies and information retrieval. Having actively engaged in various professional fields requiring extensive research, I've honed my skills in finding accurate and relevant information efficiently.
In the article you provided, the author emphasizes three crucial aspects to enhance the effectiveness of your information searches. Let's break down each concept and elaborate on the key points:
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Define the Real Question Before Searching:
- The author suggests that one should not hastily jump into a search without clearly defining the real question or purpose. This is to avoid wasting time on irrelevant information.
- Asking yourself "Why do I want to know?" before determining where to find the information can streamline the search process.
- The advice here is to avoid premature searches that might lead to an overwhelming number of open tabs and bookmarked links.
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Know Your Audience:
- Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your search and obtaining relevant information. Whether preparing a background briefing, business case, or presentation, anticipating your audience's needs is key.
- The author recommends asking "Who will read this?" to gain insights into what information is necessary for your specific audience.
- This concept emphasizes the importance of aligning your search with the expectations and requirements of your intended audience.
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Utilize Existing Paid Information Sources:
- The article suggests that if your organization already subscribes to magazines or receives industry emails, it's essential to leverage these existing paid resources.
- Asking "Are we already paying for industry information that we aren’t fully utilizing?" encourages professionals to make the most of the resources available to them.
- This highlights the need to be aware of and utilize the information channels that your organization is investing in.
The article concludes by promoting a "Smarter Searching Workshop" designed for professionals seeking effective research processes. This workshop promises to equip participants with practical tips, tools, and resources to enhance their search capabilities and make informed business decisions.
For those interested, the workshop can be explored further at .
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or if there's more information you'd like to delve into.
