racefan2020
Newbie
Posts: 7
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« on: September 10, 2008, 04:11:56 pm » |
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Our office has sorta/kinda been using Outlook the last couple of years. We have been using another contact management software as long as I can remember. This software is no longer meeting our needs and we are slowly beginning to use Outlook. It is a real struggle since most of the people who are trying to get up to speed are not real software savvy. You know the type. If they have been using something forever and nothing changes, they do just fine but don't ask them to do something new.
Since it appears that we are really going to drift toward using Outlook, I would like to "train" people so that they can get what they need and not be constantly frustrated. I was thinking of doing an every couple of weeks lunch training or something similar.
I can make a list of the features that our old contact managment system had that were grealy utilized and show them how Outlook can do similar (if not the same) functions.
I need help in developing some kind of training. Should I have written handouts? I have a projector available to show something working on the computer. Is this a good idea? I just don't know where to start.
I feel like as the fall and winter begins and people will be staying indoors for lunch it would be a good time to do this. Any ideas?
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gee4
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« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2008, 04:45:14 pm » |
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This is my suggestion.......
Ascertain how many in total require training. Devise a questionnaire and ask staff to complete this according to their needs. There is no point setting up a training course when everyone is not at the same level.
Then schedule training sessions with a small number of staff in each session. Staff should confirm which session they want to attend instead of attending an all-day session which didn't meet their requirements.
Taylor the training to staff needs. Most trainers will ask at the end of a session if anything in particular should be covered. However sending out the questionnaire in advance will assist you in delivering valuable and worthwhile training.
Cover topics using an overhead projector whilst linking this to a laptop. Provide exercises for trainees to complete at the end of each topic you deliver and distribute handouts for each member of staff at the end so they have notes to refer to when using Outlook.
You may want to schedule refresher courses at a later stage.
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laurafmcdermott
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« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2008, 06:42:30 pm » |
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We have someone that does this at our office. She chooses a topic for each session, has a "cheat sheet" on that function that she hands out, and does a demonstration via projector. She then has all participants log on and try the feature themselves and helps them along until they get it. (We have access to a training room with 8 workstations in it, do you have something similar?).
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racefan2020
Newbie
Posts: 7
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« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2008, 01:38:15 am » |
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We don't have anything as sophisticated as that. We are a small company. I do like the idea of the questionaire to see what people need to know. Good point!
racefan
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peaches2160
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« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2008, 02:48:08 am » |
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A Needs survey is an excellent way to determine the level of training needed. I would recommend handouts with instructions so they can use these as reference once back at their desks.
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raindance
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« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2008, 09:21:00 am » |
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A needs questionnaire is a very good start, and "how to" sheets are excellent as an aide memoire. With most people, it is repetition that helps fix an activity in their heads.
Lunchtime classes are wonderful, but what about the occasional one-to-one session? And a "quick answer" facility? Sometimes, I can come up with the most obscure questions about the finer points of, for instance, Word, that manage to stump even our IT trainer!
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