In this issue:
1. Summer Camp: Polkas, Squeezeboxes, and Computer Training
2. Management: The Power of Positive Connections
3. ERP/Large Systems: ERP Applications Hosted by Application Service Providers(ASPs)
4. Your Professional and Continuing Education
1. Polkas, Squeezeboxes, and Computer Training
By Jesus Rivera, Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, http://www.dtcc.com
Pablo Picasso once said, "every child is an artist." Now we've all seen our share of really terrible children's art, but what he was getting at is that we are all born with the innate ability to create. It's standard equipment. However, somewhere along the line a well-meaning individual discouraged our creative pursuits and set us on a more practical course. Like a rusty squeezebox in the attic, creativity is there, ready to be dusted off to play songs again.
There are two powerful obstacles that you must overcome to restore your creativity. The first is belief in yourself: creative people believe they are creative. The second is the dominance of the left hemisphere of your brain. It is here where several unsavory (but very necessary) characters reside. Like a fairy tale, these characters have taken over your life and have thrown your creativity in the dungeon. If you truly want to set your creativity free, you'll have to have to overthrow the tyrants: the judge, the critic, the logician and the net-net bottom liner.
To see which runs your life, get up right now, go for a stroll and don't come back until you've come up with at least one idea about anything. Those creative-types are already out the door and will pick up this article where they left off some time later. The judge, the critic, the logician and the net-net bottom liner have either dismissed the request as a waste of time or are at least still calculating the cost/benefit ratios.
Get in touch with your creativity by connecting with Jesus and all the faculty of The Computer Trainer's Summer Camp at Computer Training World 2000 in San Francisco, CA. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 for complete details.
Squeezeboxes and polka tunes are optional!
2. The Power of Positive Connections
By Gary Plaag, Program Manager, CTW 2000, http://www.influent.com/ctw2000
You've recently been invited to attend a business networking luncheon sponsored by a regional technology council. You've heard that these networking events are good ways to make business contacts and build your business. You think about how few people you will know at the event and you decide to invite a colleague from your firm to go with you.
Being a little shy about meeting new people, both of you decide to "stick together" by traveling together, walking into the event together, standing together before the luncheon and then sitting together during the luncheon. After all, it could be very uncomfortable, even scary, to sit at a table with
people you don't know. And then to actually have to talk to them...that would be the worst feeling in the world. It's so much easier to have each other there in case no one walks up to you and initiates a conversation. That way you can talk about things that both of you know about.
If this scenario sounds familiar, then you're wasting the networking opportunities that come your way. If you ride with a colleague split up at the entrance to the event and make plans to meet up again at the end of the event. You don't need to hang around together during the event, since you already know each other. Don't sit together at the luncheon, either. If tables are reserved, ask to be seated at a table where no one else from your company is seated. If general, unreserved seating is the order of the day, make sure that you sit at a table with people who you don't know.
By going and meeting people you don't know and who don't know you, you broaden your impact and contact base. You can always schedule another time to dine and "catch up" with people you know. Networking events present golden opportunities for you to have the greatest impact on the most people, in the shortest amount of time. Don't waste the opportunity by making it a social event with people who you know and who already know you.
Practice Gary's networking ideas at CTW2000 - make it a point to get to know 10 new people! While you are there, attend his session 211: The Power of Positive Connections at the Technology Training Management Conference of Computer Training World 2000. Visit http://www.influent.com/ctw2000 for complete details.
3. ERP Applications Hosted by Application Service Providers (ASPs)
By Gary Neights, PMP, RWD Technologies, http://www.rwd.com
Companies are using Application Service Providers (ASPs) as a way to more efficiently run their ERP applications. ASPs typically understand how to efficiently host applications and ensure 24x7 availability. They also understand how to leverage commonality in computer applications across vertical markets. Through economies of scale they can offer lower pricing for given functionality.
An ASP rolling out ERP across different companies is similar to a company rolling out ERP across different countries. Issues faced during global and ASP rollout include how to maintain a single set of documentation around core processes while accommodating localization; how to leverage dispersed resources; how to beat cost, quality, and schedule goals; and how to reduce rework and maximize value.
Traditional, non-ASP ERP onsite implementation training teams generally provide some level of training and documentation prior to going live. Yet, outsourcing your ERP application does not eliminate the need for your employees to use the system effectively on the job. Some questions to ask of your ASP are: How will this work in an ASP environment? How will pre go-live training work in an ASP environment? What level of on-the-job end-user performance support will the ASP support over the term of the ASP contract?
Learn more about ASP's in Gary Neights' session "Training for Wide-Scale Computer System Implementations - A Project Management Perspective" at the Computer Training World Conference August 21-23 in San Francisco, CA ( http://www.influent.com/ctw2000). He will present training project management ideas for large-scale training rollouts and highlight the similarities between global ERP rollouts and the ASP rollouts while discussing how to design/develop a scaleable training approach. He offers this tip to hold you over until you can get to the ERP and Large Systems Conference, one of three conferences-in-one at Computer Training World: "Design global content around business processes, not roles. Even within common business processes in a single corporation, roles are almost always different across locations. Be careful trying to set roles as a global standard."
4. Your Professional and Continuing Education
Here are some upcoming events for your continuing education and professional development you won't want to miss!
Computer Training World 2000
*Three Conferences-in-One* format
The ERP and Large Systems Training Conference, Technology Training Management Conference, and The Computer Trainers' Summer Camp
August 21-23, 2000
San Francisco, CA
Early-Bird Registration discount: $100
EXPIRES after July, 7, 2000
REGISTER NOW!
http://www.influent.com/ctw2000.
THE event for the computer/technology training profession. This is the event to help you find your way through the issues of rapidly changing technology roll-outs, move from classroom to technology-delivered instruction, and address certification, outsourcing, and retraining staff challenges. CTW2000 is the ONLY event specifically targeted to those in the computer training industry. For more details or to register, visit: http://www.influent.com/ctw2000.
Seminars
How to Conduct Needs Assessment
September 25 - 26, 2000
Atlanta, GA
In this two-day seminar you will review performance analysis and focus on needsm assessment. You will determine what kinds of information to gather to prepare for a program that will be delivered to groups, to independent learners, and via technology. You'll discover how and when to use interviews, surveys, and observations. You'll come away with new and creative techniques for reporting data in ways that increase the likelihood that your recommendations will turnm into action and business results.
Register for this seminar by July 12, 2000, using the special code "EBDIS" and receive a $100 discount by calling (508) 651-9531! Visit http://www.influent.com/seminars/needs.htm for more information. Be sure to mention the special code!
