What's in a name?

Despite what it says on my staff directory profile, I am not a Business Analyst.

I am an Intranet-ter...an enthusiast, an evangelist.  Sometimes a manager, sometimes an encourager, sometimes an inspirer.  A communicator, an organiser, an interpreter.

Loving intranets (mine ours, yours), the idea and possibility of them, is what keeps me going in my day job, and sometimes into the night.

However, to my employer although I was previously the Intranet Manager I am now a Business Analyst.

Which is not all bad. BA skills are definitely crucial to an intranet.  Delving into what the business needs to work, translating those into new functionality and features. Always working to develop and evolve what we currently have ("an intranet is never finished").

The downside is a case of confused identity.

(Bathing Caps with Faces
photographed by Ralph Crane, from Life Magazine Archive)

It's confusing to my colleagues.  For example, I now often get emails that start, "So and so said that you work with the intranet, but if you're the wrong person do you know who I should contact?"  Or the straight out "Do you still work with the intranet?"

It's also confusing to me.  Where does my area of responsibility lie?  Am I now the person to lead the intranet governance group? Do I still have the authority to revise the intranet strategy.  Can I tell people "No, that garish, walking man, animated gif cannot go on here, anywhere!"?

Are we defined by our job titles, or by how we see ourselves, or who our colleagues think we are, or how our managers see us...?

I guess this is why you see discussions like this one on LinkedIn asking what other people in intranet related roles are called.  Why surveys like Jane McConnell's Digital Workplace Survey ask what you're called.  Why its always interesting when meeting up with others in similar roles to see what title is listed on their business cards.

What are you called?  And what do you call yourself?!