Marilyn Flax

Experience

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  Human Information Technologies (LaHIT)

  Apr 1993 - Dec 1994

  User Interface Designer, Technical Writer

  • Designed user interfaces for CHUIs and GUIs, designing screen layouts and user interface text.• Developed UX style guides for customers.• Wrote user guides and reference material following the Microsoft Manual of Style.

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  Human Information Technologies (LaHIT)

  Jul 1996 - Jul 1997

  User Interface Designer, Technical Writer

  After crewing on a yacht from Cape Town, South Africa to Recife, Brazil, and backpacking through South America, I returned to LaHIT.• Designed user interfaces for CHUIs and GUIs, designing screen layouts and user interface text.• Developed UX style guides for customers.• Wrote user guides and reference material following the Microsoft Manual of Style.

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  Algorithmics/Foundation Technologies

  Sept 1997 - Oct 1997

  Technical writer (contract)

  • Created a technical user guide with step-by-step procedures for an in-house software product.• Developed MS Word template.

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  Colonial State Bank

  May 1998 - Mar 1999

  Technical Writer (contract)

  • Documented technical procedures and troubleshooting instructions for a state-wide Y2K upgrade.• Created two guides (quick reference guide and detailed procedures manual) used by teams to independently upgrade all computers at Colonial State Bank throughout Australia.

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  IBM (and its acquisition Aptrix)

  Apr 1999 - Sept 2005

  Instructional designer, technical writer, trainer

  I started this appointment at Aptrix, a fast-paced startup, which was subsequently acquired by IBM in 2003. Aptrix created one of IBM’s leading software products, Workplace Web Content Management, which is used for creating very large web-based content management systems.• Initial role as a technical writer, working with the development team to create user documentation where none existed.• Subsequently created product training materials and delivered training to multicultural groups (technical and non-technical users) throughout the world.• Set up and managed the Aptrix Education Unit.• In 2003, IBM acquired the Aptrix software product and key personnel, including myself.• At IBM I was a member of a highly successful team, reporting into a US-based group, and working remotely with teams in the UK and the US, as well as with the Sydney-based product development team.• Supported and coached UK and US teams who were required to deliver the courses I was developing.• Developed technical e-learning training materials for Workplace Web Content Management.• Co-authored the IBM Redbook "Workplace Web Content Management: WCM for Portal 5.1 and WCS 2.5".• Followed the Microsoft Manual of Style. Show less

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  RailCorp

  Nov 2005 - Dec 2006

  Instructional designer, technical writer (contract)

  • Wrote conceptual content and procedures for sections of RailCorp’s Safety Management System.• Developed training materials for occupational health and safety in the workplace for managers and employees.

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  Freelance

  Feb 2008 - Dec 2009

  Freelance Instructional Designer, Trainer, Technical Writer, Copy-editor

  • Wrote technical and non-technical training content.• Copy edited and proofread documentation.• Developed customized courses for various clients.• Analyzed audience and training needs.• Designed and developed training materials in MS PowerPoint.• Delivered training.• Clients included IBM, Old Mutual, Sanlam, Fundamo, Centre for Higher Education at UCT, LR Group, c’Dabra Foundation, Liquorice Africa, Wow Marketing Services, and Madison Property Fund Managers.

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  University of Cape Town

  Feb 2008 - Aug 2008

  Lecturer (part-time)

  • Taught professional business writing, visual design, and professional oral presentation skills to engineering students.

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  LRMG

  Feb 2010 - Jun 2011

  Instructional Designer

  • Developed customized e-learning and instructor-led materials (facilitator guides, learner guides, and coach’s guides) for large South African organizations.• Met clients to analyze learner requirements.• Developed program frameworks that specified learning outcomes, assessment criteria, learning units, content, and activities.• Designed e-learning user interfaces in PowerPoint in storyboard format, with development instructions for graphic designer and Flash developer.• Wrote training content.• Used MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and Articulate for materials development.• Copy-edited training materials. Show less

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  CSG International

  Sept 2011 - Jul 2017

  Senior Instructional Designer

  • Designed and developed technical training materials for CSG’s wholesale telecoms billing software.• Created instructor-led, virtual, and online training courses for customers and CSG employees.• Wrote technical content and procedures and created graphic content for training activities.• Used team style guide to inform writing style.• Designed and developed user interfaces for e-learning in Adobe Captivate.• Created instructor presentations with detailed training notes, learner activity packs, quick reference guides, and e-learning.• Conducted audience analysis and training needs analysis.• Developed and managed training development scope.• Analyzed learning objectives.• Translated learning objectives into training activities.• Provided recommended training path, training approach, and delivery format.• Rapidly developed prototypes of training activities.• Worked remotely with CSG trainers located around the world on delivery approach and implementation of training materials.• Networked with key contacts located globally in R&D, Product, and other company functions to gather feedback on product enhancements and training deliverables.• Used agile development methodology.• Used MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and Adobe Captivate for materials development.• Used Adobe Connect and Skype for training delivery and virtual meetings. Show less

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  Amazon Web Services (AWS)

  Aug 2017 - now

  I am a writer for the public-facing docs for Amazon EC2 (EC2 User Guide, EC2 API Reference, and EC2 CLI Reference), EC2 console text and help panels, and EC2 console and API error messages.Focus areas:- Spot Instances- EC2 Fleet and Spot Fleet- EC2 Serial Console- EC2 Instance Connect- EC2 key pairs- Hibernation- AMIs- EC2 launch templates- EC2 launch instance wizard

  • Senior Technical Writer

    Apr 2021 - now

  • Technical Writer

    Aug 2017 - Mar 2021