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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on IT can play a key role in getting new employees up to speed ]]></title>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Whoops]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136263]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Apologies for the duplicate post. On submitting the first post I received a message saying the topic could not be found, hence the second posting.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136263]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[KayJay_07]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:46:24 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Knowledge does not equate to teaching skill]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136262]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[SJ, you make many valid points. I'd like to expand your description though, the problem is not restricted to IT technical people, it is prevalent in any area that requires specialisation. Ever tried asking a scientist to explain his latest experiment or an accountant to describe the various depreciation methods that can be used? As an IT Trainer of 20 years standing, I have learned to accept that everybody thinks they can teach but that few actually can.Your initial premise is correct - generally technical people make poor teachers (this IS a generalisation, there are always exceptions), however, just because somebody is non-technical does NOT automatically enable them to teach. The fundamental problem which the majority of people do not seem to understand is that teaching is a SKILL, and that skill is quite separate from whether that person is a 'techie' or not. (This is hardly surprising when one constantly comes across phrases such as &quot;those who CAN, do - those who CAN'T, teach&quot; and, believe me, I have heard just about every imaginable variation on this theme during my training career!)Your post describes several of those teaching skills (patience when someone does not understand the first time something is explained, etc) but your assumption that a 'non-techie' is automatically a better bet is flawed. In my 20 years as an IT Trainer and Training Consultant I have worked with trainers who have few technical skills as well as trainers who have highly detailed technical knowledge. On balance, those with the technical knowledge beat those who haven't hands down. The key point is that first and foremost they are teachers rather than techies.The range of skills required by a teacher goes well beyond those you have highlighted. A good teacher:1) understands that people learn in different ways - so he/she must have different approaches which can be applied instantly to each individual's needs (and, yes, this can [MUST] be done in a class situation as well as in one-to-one training)2) understands that most of us are challenged by change - I could talk about this one forever; learning new skills takes us out of our 'safety zone' into uncharted territory and people react to this in vastly different ways ranging from mild nervousness &quot;I hope I'll be able to learn this quickly&quot; to blind terror &quot;I'm hopeless with new technology - I'll fail//I'll look stupid/I'll lose my job!&quot; A real teacher understands these fears and knows how to calm them as well as conveying the necessary information. A professional trainer should be a key member of the Change Management Team when new systems/software are introduced.3) understands the key technical issues from the IT departments point of view and the business implications when processes fail or correct procedures are not followed by the end-users - he/she then constructs from this a training program that approaches these issues from the end-user's perspective avoiding 'tech-speak' wherever possible and explaining techical terms in everyday language when they cannot be avoided.4) is enthusiastic about the software/hardware system - good trainers NEVER compare the new system unfavourably with what it is replacing (whatever their personal feelings!), the new system is what the users are stuck with (a phrase we never use) so we have to emphasise the positives and minimise the negatives while providing the users with the skills necessary to navigate those tricky, less-than-perfect bits that every system suffers from.5) understands and empathises with a wide range of personalities - in short a good trainer LIKES people, understands that they are all different, and rejoices in the challenge of assisting all of them to acquire the skills that are required.To anybody who doubts that teaching is a separate skill, I would ask you to cast your mind back to your favourite primary or high-school teacher and the way that you looked forward to his/her lessons, the way that you seemed to learn more quickly and easily in that class than in any other - this was not just because they were a 'nice' person but because they had superb teaching skills that made you WANT to learn. A good teacher can change your life - I know, I had one; thanks a million George.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136262]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[KayJay_07]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:41:16 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Knowledge vs teaching skills]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136261]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[SJ, you make many valid points. I'd like to expand your description though, the problem is not restricted to IT technical people, it is prevalent in any area that requires specialisation. Ever tried asking a scientist to explain his latest experiment or an accountant to describe the various depreciation methods that can be used? As an IT Trainer of 20 years standing, I have learned to accept that everybody thinks they can teach but that few actually can.Your initial premise is correct - generally technical people make poor teachers (this IS a generalisation, there are always exceptions), however, just because somebody is non-technical does NOT automatically enable them to teach. The fundamental problem which the majority of people do not seem to understand is that teaching is a SKILL, and that skill is quite separate from whether that person is a 'techie' or not. (This is hardly surprising when one constantly comes across phrases such as &quot;those who CAN, do - those who CAN'T, teach&quot; and, believe me, I have heard just about every imaginable variation on this theme during my training career!)Your post describes several of those teaching skills (patience when someone does not understand the first time something is explained, etc) but your assumption that a 'non-techie' is automatically a better bet is flawed. In my 20 years as an IT Trainer and Training Consultant I have worked with trainers who have few technical skills as well as trainers who have highly detailed technical knowledge. On balance, those with the technical knowledge beat those who haven't hands down. The key point is that first and foremost they are teachers rather than techies.The range of skills required by a teacher goes well beyond those you have highlighted. A good teacher:1) understands that people learn in different ways - so he/she must have different approaches which can be applied instantly to each individual's needs (and, yes, this can [MUST] be done in a class situation as well as in one-to-one training)2) most of us are challenged by change - I could talk about this one forever; learning new skills takes us out of our 'safety zone' into uncharted territory and people react to this in vastly different ways ranging from mild nervousness &quot;I hope I'll be able to learn this quickly&quot; to blind terror &quot;I'm hopeless with new technology - I'll fail//I'll look stupid/I'll lose my job!&quot; A real teacher understands these fears and knows how to calm them as well as conveying the necessary information. A professional trainer should be a key member of the Change Management Team when new systems/software are introduced.3) understands the key technical issues from the IT departments point of view and the business implications when processes fail or correct procedures are not followed by the end-users - he/she then constructs from this a training program that approaches these issues from the end-user's perspective avoiding 'tech-speak' wherever possible and explaining techical terms in everyday language when they cannot be avoided.4) is enthusiastic about the software/hardware system - good trainers NEVER compare the new system unfavourably with what it is replacing (whatever their personal feelings!), the new system is what the users are stuck with (a phrase we never use) so we have to emphasise the positives and minimise the negatives while providing the users with the skills necessary to navigate those tricky, less-than-perfect bits that every system suffers from.5) understands and empathises with a wide range of personalities - in short a good trainer LIKES people, understands that they are all different, and rejoices in the challenge of assisting all of them to acquire the skills that are required.To anybody who doubts that teaching is a separate skill, I would ask you to cast your mind back to your favourite primary or high-school teacher and the way that you looked forward to his/her lessons, the way that you seemed to learn more quickly and easily in that class than in any other - this was not just because they were a 'nice' person but because they had superb teaching skills that made you WANT to learn. A good teacher can change your life - I know, I had one; thanks a million George.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136261]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[KayJay_07]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:35:28 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[We have a Trainer]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136027]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[We have a Trainer that trains every new employee for one to three weeks depending on their job designation all of which are non I.T positions. I trained the Trainer on the I.T. aspects and helped incorporate into the training program a focus on the basic rudimentary fundamentals that a user needs. The Trainer has worked in every area except for accounting and I.T.Keep it focused on task and cover the basic *user* skills necessary to perform the task.Use the KIS method. Keep It Simple and leave out the Stupid.How to (step by step) procedures for each task.How to recognize common user errors.How to correct common user errors.How to explain (describe) to support what your problem is.How to adapt (learn) on your own.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136027]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[No User]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:45:23 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Amen to all that!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136026]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Why do some people become &quot;technicals&quot;? Could it be because they feel way more comfortable dealing with hardware and software than with people? The stereotype of the 'computer geek' has a basis in fact: Just like Dilbert and his engineers, many hardware-bashers, sysadmins and programmers are notable for minimal social skills. Not Bad, just the way they are wired, and Society gives them a niche where they can function and be highly valuable.Training of new users in running their computers to perform their work is an absolute necessity. If it's necessary to bring in a contract trainer to accomplish this because of staffing constraints, then do it. The time and effort lost in having an employee flailing around trying to understand the system more than pays for the cost of training, and avoids the new person feeling that neither IT, nor the firm's management, gives a damn about them.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2136026]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[edward.arnold@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2006 11:41:21 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[IT does training here]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135965]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I would be embarrassed to have a new staff member show up and not have their desk ready--- computer, phone, basic office supplies.  IT spends anywhere from 1 - 3 hours on average with an new employee then follows  up a week or so later to make sure the new employee is comfortable with their system and their desk set-up.  We feel that this new hire orientation is a great way for new staff to meet IT and for us to get to know them.  That way we also get sign-off that they are comfortable and have the tools to do their job effectively.  As part of the new hire process, HR prints up a training manual - about 50% of which is IT (how to use outlook calendar, email, contacts, where to save things etc).  We find that new employees LIKE this training, and overview of systems policies.  It may seem like over kill for some organizations, but even in a busy shop we feel that it should be a priority.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135965]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jessica Lynn]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2006 10:14:27 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[New employee training....]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135906]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I work for a fortune 500 company and have worked in and out of the IT department. Yes, I am a normal user now. We have no training (just to tell you your password will change on a regular basis and don't surf questionable web sites. Everyone is an administrator on their own pc, so desktop support has to constantly rebuild PCs--even the so called super users!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135906]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[miubhi]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2006 10:08:51 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[We are Ad-Hoc]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135904]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[My company most often uses an Ad-Hoc approach to new employee training. The IT department is not staffed to provide training, so it is left up to the individual departments as to how they train.We have a high retention rate here, so there are a lot of older employees.  I can see knowledge transfer becoming a major issue for the company in the coming years.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2135904]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jr_hearty]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:51:54 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[As a last resort ...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134136]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... I keep a lamp cord with bare ends handy. I find that electricity can be very motivating. They WILL learn. I guarantee it. ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134136]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[stress junkie]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:13:47 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[That's how I used to take care of classrooms.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134132]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Absolutely wonderful system. I don't know why this isn't used more often for desktop support. Of course servers get a full disk image once a week or more frequently. Why not have a single workstation disk image to restore to desktop computers?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134132]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[stress junkie]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:02:46 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Processes]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134059]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Yes, I'm in a large company. But the process is pretty simple.I have a new employee checklist in a word form. It tells me all the things I need to do, including which forms I need filled in on the first day.I did once start at a billion dollar company where my laptop was not there the first day. I was given a loaner, basic software (no MS Project, my key tool). My laptop was ordered and the sales department had ordered one at the same time, and someoen from sales went looking for there in the stockroom and stole mine.If I pay someone $250 a day and lose them for a week, thats a fair hit. for no result. Plus frankly it looks unprofessional. I've known contractors who felt nervous when they weren't fully utilized in the first few weeks, and they jumped ship. Thats a huge loss, as you may have to start the hiring process over again.James]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134059]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JamesRL]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:56:20 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Disk imaging?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134039]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have not seen how the Desktop Support or Tech  -Support groups rebuild PCs when contractors arrive, but sometimes I see that companies do not have an image specific to developers' needs. The image that is used to rebuild the PCs is mostly that of end users or non-developers.So we end up installing all the necessary software one by one. On top of sometimes getting access to source control system takes  some time, and then downloading the source control and rebuilding the entire thing can take time.If the system is complex, then it takes more time to build all components locally. Most of the time it is useful to understand the system and helpful. I think Managers realize this to be part of the learning curve.But I don't want to know how to load Visual Studio, tracker software etc. But I am seeing some companies using Virtual PC effectively. The Virtual PC image has everything that the developers need. Even the browsers are all configured and have links and favorites configured to meet developers' needs. Splendid. There are desktop shortcuts all the tools needed. I have seen only one company use virtual PC so effectively.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134039]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[onbliss]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:40:35 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Medium - Large companies]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134035]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I am guessing such things happen in a medium to large size company, where there are release schedules and all processes in place. Losing a couple of days or week would not matter much. Even if it means loss of money, they would probably cast it as a cost of running the business.Just a guess, I don't know what the managers think.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2134035]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[onbliss]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 08:21:45 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Nature of my business]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133946]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[We sell software and hardware systems in a vertical market. Our customers expect us to be able to set up and install servers, networks, VOIP, setup users, all to a rigourous schedule. We take no money in advance, when the hardware is installed, then we can bill. The customer has to sign a form stating the HW etc is installed.Consequently, it would be a bad precedent/example to be less organized internally. Besides, I can't pay someone to sit around and twiddle their thumbs. Thats against my nature.James]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133946]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JamesRL]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:03:49 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[well, this]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133788]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[was a description of my one client hat uses MS software. is it any wonder I have zero respect for those using MS products? ~lol~]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133788]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jaqui]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:21:57 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I used to tell people ...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133650]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... that working as a temp I would get in to work the first day. The manager would give me a pencil stub, throw me in a closet, and expect me to rebuild their systems by lunch time.I really have been put in closets and printer rooms with no terminal or desktop computer. But that was when I was a contract employee. Things are different for me now that I have my own business.When I was a contract employee I never even owned a notebook computer. I bought my first notebook computer two years ago when I started my own business. It's different than being a contract employee. Now I think of myself more as one of the field service techs that I called on many times. I expected them to have their own screwdrivers and flashlights. So now I expect to provide all of my own equipment and software when I walk in the door to a customer's site.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133650]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[stress junkie]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:51:10 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[You are the exception]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133612]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have only ever been with one company that had the tools I needed available on day one- most, not even on week one.I have generally been willing to bring in my personal lappie and a printer so that I can do SOME work, knowing that once the company supplied tools arrived, I would have to transfer that data to the new machine.  But I get tired of the (seeming) expectation that I will do so.Unfortunately this is an issue getting worse, not better.  My partner recently changed primary work locations.  It took about a week to get a computer assigned and an email address created... much less the other tools he needs to do his job.  And he has been with the company for over 25 years.  At least I can be comforted by the thought that is isn't just me!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133612]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tig2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:06:28 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Guess I've been lucky]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133629]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[My last contract everything was ready the day before I arrived. They do pay an outside company to provide the service and they have strict service level agreements.At my current job, I would be very embarassed if one of my contractors showed up for their first day and a computer wasn't ready, ids created and software loaded.James]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133629]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JamesRL]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:54:46 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Same here]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133507]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Very few companies, that I have contracted, had the computers quite ready with all the software installed. Well if that is how the companies want to spend their money, who am I to say something.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133507]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[onbliss]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:20:48 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I've been there.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133504]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I spent 15 years as a contract system administrator. There were plenty of jobs where I experienced the conditions on my first day that you described. I had one job where it took three weeks for me to get a user account. Hey. I got paid. The thing was that even when the department manager told the user account people to make an account for me right away it still took another week before the acccount was created. Amazing. This was their corporate culture.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-205536-2133504]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[stress junkie]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:11:04 -0800</pubDate>
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