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PERSONAL COMPUTER
TRAINING = CASH IN YOUR POCKET |
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PERSONAL COMPUTER
TRAINING = CASH IN YOUR POCKET |
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"I have the CPU, the Monitor, the Mouse, the Speakers, the CD-ROM, the Tape Backup, the Modem, the Printer, I’m On-Line, etc. - Now What?"
Many times after making a large investment in computer equipment, the payoff isn’t what was expected. The hardware is the best, the software is the most up-to-date ¾ so, what could be the problem?
Whenever there is an investment in a new process or new equipment, there must be an investment in people. For example, it would be unheard of for a printing business to purchase a new press and not expect to train its employees on the new piece of equipment.
It follows that it makes good business sense to train a valuable employee in computer skills, rather than to hire a computer expert and train them to be a natural sales person, skilled secretary, medical transcriber, full-charge bookkeeper, etc. When an employee is fully trained in using new software ¾ with their particular job in mind ¾ the results are $$$ in your pocket.
Individual, personal, one-on-one, on-site training. New research on education shows that this is the most effective training method. It gets to the heart of the matter in a short period of time. Personal training provides:
- Training that focuses on learning by doing - we do, therefore we learn.
- Training where one learns at their own pace, in a non-threatening environment.
- On-the-job training on familiar equipment.
- Training limited to two-three hours in length for maximum learning benefits.
- Training that is geared toward specific projects.
A Word About Classroom Training, usually off-site at a vendor’s location or a training school.
The traditional model of classroom learning is found to be least effective. In a group, learning something new may be embarrassing or risky. Most people don’t want to be ridiculed or try anything new for fear of failing in front of others. Natural self-directed education ends in this environment.
Additional drawbacks:
- More time spent away from the office
- Specific project questions are not addressed
- Trainer cannot go at the student’s pace
- Many times the class is canceled for lack of enough participants
- When the student returns to the office, they may find that their computer set up is different than the one in the classroom ¾ they can’t open the program, find their files, set up directories, install programs, etc.
- There is no one to call for follow-up support.
Some questions to ask when selecting a computer trainer:
- Does the trainer have sufficient one-on-one training skills and experience?
- Has the trainer had experience using the software applied to real-life business situations?
- Will the trainer take time to discuss the needs of the business, custom design a training program, monitor its progress, and troubleshoot any software problems?
- Does the trainer offer telephone support?
- Does the trainer have enough staff to complete the necessary training in the required time frame?
- Finally, it is a plus if trainers do not have a vested interest in selling hardware or repair services.
Once again, it makes good business sense to train a valuable employee in computer skills. When an employee is properly trained in using software ¾ with their particular job in mind ¾ the results are $$$ in your pocket.
Sharon Wolfe is the Owner/Operator of The Squeaky Mouse, A Computer Training Company She can be reached at (818) 705-1702 or squeakymouse@earthlink.net See her website at http://www.socalmall.com/squeaky.htm
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