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Frequently Asked Questions

My name is Chris Banks. I am the lead trainer for Computer Link Software Training Center. I have been involved in the computer industry and software training for more than 25 years. During that time I have come to have a pretty good understanding of the various methods of software training and consulting. I take calls and questions from customers and business associates almost daily, asking about the proper or best way to handle corporate employee training. These concerns are valid and worth taking seriously. I firmly believe that planning our efforts and taking the best, most likely avenue to success all begins with proper training!

Today, more than any other time in recent business history, making the right decision or the right move can boost or crumble a business organization. Knowing this, why do so many companies still fall short of the level of success they can achieve? One reason is that employee software training, and all of its supporting elements, is a process often completely overlooked, or at best, not used to it’s fullest potential. Corporate decisions such as:

Ø “How can I improve the efficiency and productivity of my employees, and do it cost-effectively?”

Ø “Who can I trust to give me the best computer software training, and best level of service, for my training dollar?”

Ø “What is my competition doing in the area of software training for their employees?”

Does having these answers really matter to you? It should. It affects your sales, your growth, and your overall efficiency. It even influences the way your employees feel about the company they work for.

The next natural question would be what kind of training vehicle do you need, and how can it be applied to your particular situation?

In order to help my clients better address some of these issues, I have developed a 10 point checklist that I have found helpful in comparing the variety of training alternatives available to the corporate customer. For instance,

1. Do you have employees that are very new to computers and somewhat intimidated by them?

A: A well-rounded training facility should have classes designed strictly for the novice. That means starting with the most fundamental explanations of terminology and computer components, and then developing a strong foundation in the ‘language’ of computers and the Internet – Windows. Students should learn to use the features and built-in applications that Windows provides, as well as how to use the Internet for searches and e-mail before tackling any of the more advanced business applications. Refresher courses should also be available to students, any time within, say, 6 months of the original class, ideally at no additional charge.

2. Do you have employees who just need to expand or sharpen an existing skill set?

A: Here we are talking about a high-performance program designed to teach your employees everything from performing a giant mail-merge using MS Word, to managing a large financial spreadsheet with MS Excel, to manipulating photos and logos in your marketing pieces with Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. A good training program capable of teaching both the highly technical ‘power-user’ and the entry-level beginner is a valuable commodity to any business. Key business applications such as Windows 98/ME/XP, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and other MS Office related functions are the applications most businesses depend on. Also, somewhat ‘lighter’ classes such as getting the most out of a digital camera, scanner, and photograph editing software are useful for a variety of reasons. Anyone wishing to repair or touch-up old or damaged photos, for genealogy for instance, would benefit from such a class.

3. Is your company looking for new hardware and/or software upgrades, and someone to retrain the employees on these new upgrades?

A: Some of the major computer retail stores in the area have classrooms in the back of their stores, but their primary reason for being in business is to sell computers and computer equipment. Training is merely an add-on, a secondary matter for them. A training facility which has no computers to sell, doesn’t make repairs, or service computers, will almost certainly be more focused on just one thing: training. It is more likely to be their singular, primary reason for being in business. A reputable training company will have developed relationships with some of the finer computer retailers in the area, such as Computer Exchange, for instance, and should be able to offer customers objective and unbiased recommendations. When a customer asks for suggestions on the specifications for a new system, or requires repairs to existing systems, being able to recommend a reputable and reliable outside source for new equipment and software, and then provide excellent training on the software and equipment after installation, is the best of both worlds

4. Does your company require special customized, on-site training, or even one-on-one training for your executives?

A: A truly versatile training company should be able to provide custom training programs to meet your company’s specific needs. That means specialized classes on narrowly focused aspects of your specific software. The ideal training environment is away from the office and away from ringing telephones, beepers and most other distractions. A controlled environment means a much better absorption level of the information being taught. However, it is sometimes quite difficult or impossible to get away from the office for an entire day. A flexible training company can arrange training at your designated location, during your time frames, and at your convenience.

5. Does your company out-source its web design and web-hosting, or would it be more cost-effective to bring it in-house?

A: A software training company that offers classes on such topics as Macromedia Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks, teaching excellent web design skills, as well as web site optimization, would give you a choice. What this would mean is that the tasks (and expenses) of owning and maintaining your company web site could then be managed by an employee, rather than out-sourcing. This provides much tighter control over your web presence, and reduces the associated expenses as well.

6. Are you willing to commit 3 months, per person, to your employee’s training, or would you prefer a more cost-effective, one-day, hands-on type of training?

A: There are classes on business software available at some of the colleges and technical schools in the area. However, the length of time required for those classes is typically longer and more expensive than necessary. Frequently these classes are also quite large – 40 to 60 people or more – and lecture-style, meaning the students merely take notes as the instructor lectures, with no hands-on practice of the exercises being described. The ideal training environment offers much smaller classes, perhaps 12 people maximum, and individual computer workstations for each student. This allows the instructors to focus on your employees and their training progress. In fact, most of the better training facilities have classes that are available full-days, half-days, evenings and weekends so that your training can fit your busy schedule.

7. Are you concerned about employee turnover and wasted training dollars on an employee who leaves and goes to work for someone else?

A: Any reputable training company should be willing to offer you a Corporate Guarantee: If an employee leaves your company within 6 months of taking a company paid class, they should be willing to train another employee for only the cost of the training materials. In fact a real effort should be made to make sure you receive exactly the training you need, when you need it. For regularly scheduled classes, they should provide course prerequisites and topics, or detailed individual assessment guidance, upon request, to assist in proper placement. Course outlines and topics of discussion should be posted on their web site for easy reference. Even after a class has begun, if for any reason you determine that the class you are attending does not meet your needs, you should be able to transfer your registration to the correct class, or if that is not possible, receive a full refund of your money. These things simply translate to being certain you are comfortable with your training decision.

8. Is Microsoft certification and associated Certificates of Completion important to your employees.

A: The better, more reputable software training company’s classes on Microsoft software products, such as Microsoft Office and its components, are taught using Microsoft certified courseware, disks and manuals. Microsoft Office User Specialist (M.O.U.S.) certification should be stamped right on the cover of all of their training manuals, and certificates of completion for each of the covered classes should be issued to students at the end of each class.

9. Does your company have an in-house training department, complete with middle-management, year-round salaries, benefits and other expenses associated with such a department?

A: A corporate customer who has developed a strong working relationship with a professional, reliable and competent software training company can enjoy the benefits of having an entire software training staff focused on the success of their company year-round, without having a whole new department to manage and provide for, and called in on an as-needed basis. Best of all, your business would have at your disposal, a team of patient, highly skilled professionals, trained in both teaching abilities and software knowledge, so that you are sure you are always getting the very best for your training dollar.

10. Have you had a bad experience in the past with a training company whose location was inconvenient, the instructors were bored, or worse, incompetent, and your money was wasted?

A: Many software training facilities may seem quite similar. It’s the instructors, and commitment to service, that make the difference! Instructors that are able to present courseware in a clear, patient, logical manner, teaching skills that your employees can use right away, is the way proper and cost-effective software training should be conducted. Also, a good, easily accessible location is important, as well as having up-to-date equipment and courseware. This means M.O.U.S. certified training manuals. And insist on a money-back guarantee!

These are some of the subjects we typically discuss with our prospective customers. Let’s face it, every company has problem areas in their company software that need to be improved, enhanced or updated, and a properly prepared and executed software training program is the absolute key to your success.

If you have questions or similar concerns about your companies computer software training, email me at chris@computerlinkaugusta.com or call me at 706-792-0900 to find out how we might be of service to you. And thanks for stopping by our Website!

For more information you may call us at 706.792.0900 or you may email us at: Info@ComputerLinkAugusta.Com.