More Efficient Training????

I had eight hours of training yesterday. I spent six hours of it listening to the questions of others, and hearing their complaints on how hard this training was. There were only three of us in the class.

Now I can be up front to the fact that I have been around and using computers for a very long time. I can also understand that this is my area of expertise. But, please tell me why on earth they would schedule eight hours for everybody? What a huge waste of time. I obviously realize that some people need the full eight hours, and in this situation, both of the other users did. However, I did not need to sit and waste 6 hours on what I feel to be “common sense” procedures. There has got to be a more efficient way!

My thoughts are to allow everyone the ability to test out of the training. They do this some, but why not for all? We are in a computer rich world, so let me train on the computer, take a test, and then if I don’t pass… torture me with eight hours of training, or better yet, give me access to a trainer one on one. This would save me and the trainer time, I could touch on the things I didn’t pass, and we could move about our busy days! I understand that everyone has limitations. I understand that some people cannot grasp the fact that you do not have to double click everything you see. Or that the button “confirm” actually means you have reviewed the data and confirmed that it is right.

I can even understand that to some people the delay of a page loading means that you should click every possible thing on the page so that the rest of the class can wait while you ask why there are 18 different pages open on your desktop.

I’m sure some of you are like “what’s the problem? it’s paid training!”

Sure! Thankfully it is paid training, but while I’m sitting there listening to the endless “double clicks” and the “oops, was I supposed to push that button?” and my now favorite question of the week, ” what does the “close” button do?” (I’m serious, this was asked!), all of my work is piling up on my desk!

Is it too much to ask for more efficient training? This wasn’t a computer training class by the way. It was on scheduling, and had nothing to do with the basics of the computer. Maybe that is the answer, maybe everyone has to attend, or test out of a basic computer class, so the time in training can be more efficient… Something has got to give!

What are your thoughts?

How about a class on common sense? :p

Please check out Iamyourcustomer’s blog about: Do it right the first time, but not too fast!   It has a lot of common sense!

Flickr Tags: efficient training,employee satisfaction,support,common sense

Black Friday

Angry Shopping Day AKA Black Friday

It must be written… I DISLIKE BLACK FRIDAY!! I realize the amazing deals that everyone can get… I understand the fascination believe me! And, I will admit it.. only briefly though.. that 2 years ago.. I ventured out into the world of Black Friday. I got up in the morning at 3am.. stood outside of Walmart at 3:30.. waiting for them to open their doors. The line was extremely long, and it was freezing cold. Why did I do it? The experience… and a $20 vacuum that I still use to this day.. so it wasn’t a complete loss.. but the people were crazy, and at times.. I was scared for my life.. not really, but for the life of the cabbage patch doll that was almost taken out of my hands by a desperate mother.. NO i didn’t let her have it, I got it first.. okay moving on. Have I gone back to Black Friday in the past 2 years?.. HELL NO! I had to work this year on Black Friday, I’m not sure why, because from what I heard half of Americans were shopping on this day.. HALF! Needless to say, I got zero calls that day, but I did have some time to listen to the local radio stations and I heard something that made me laugh out loud. Think about this… You drive yourself into Best Buy or Circuit City to save $40 on a new monitor, or $100 on a new gadget that has caught your interest, you fight all of the shoppers into the place… you keep from falling down and getting trampled by angry grandparents who need to get in before you! You get yelled at by the lady next to you because your coat brushed against hers. You grab the last box and rush to the long line to pay for your item. You can’t help but smile because you are extremely happy that you just saved yourself some money… and then… you wait for 45 minutes to get through the line, while people bitch and moan that more registers should be open. You walk out to your car, still proud of yourself, and as you are backing out BAM! Your car is hit, you move forward and run into another car…… Think about this… You saved $40 and now have to pay $800 for a fender bender…. Irony? I’m not kidding about this.. I don’t know the percentages, but there are a ton of accidents on Black Friday… PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!! I can’t stand shopping in general when it comes to Christmas.. everyone is so pissed off… Of course being the person that I am, I just have to antagonize everyone, and so if I see someone who is just red faced and ready to explode, and they are mad because the lady at the register is taking too long, or because I can’t find my credit card, so I now have to write a check ( I know, who writes checks?), and they are tapping their foot looking at me… I make sure to stop, smile, and say Happy Holidays This always makes them more mad for some reason…. and usually I get a dirty look… What’s wrong with a little holiday greeting? I can’t resist being that way.. COME ON PEOPLE.. Cheer up, or stay the hell home.. that’s what I do

Okay that’s my take on that.. I feel better now :p

Stay tuned for my next rant…… You think your day was bad….

Montel Williams – Adultery For Sale

I don’t normally watch Montel, actually I normally flip past it quickly. However, I just recently started a job where my co-worker absolutely has to tune into the show every morning on her desk radio. I can’t stand having my radio on something different, so I tune in too. Hey, that’s my story, I’m sticking to it.

I normally wouldn’t give it a second thought, but while trying to figure out what my first blog would be about, I thought what better topic. Adultery!!

Today’s episode was about a company that actually helps people have affairs. I was disgusted, interested, and amused all at the same time. For those who didn’t get the pleasure of listening or watching the show this morning, I’ll fill you in.

For $500.00 a month, this company will train you on how to commit adultery without getting caught. They will provide you an opportunity to meet others who want the same thing, they will tell you the best places to go, they will even be your alibi. Let me just break it down for you… I’ll be the cheating SOB who is using this company for cheating. Me: Honey, I have to go away for a business trip for 3 days. Damn company is going to work me to death. Anyway, I’ll leave you a number to the Hotel I will be staying at. Gives husband the pretend hotel number. Day 2: Ring Ring Ring – Jan from the “Adultery For Sale” company: Hello, you have reached the Hampton Inn, how may I help you? Naive Husband: Can I please have “Me’s” hotel room? Jan: Yes, of course I will try her for you. Jan puts naive husband on hold and pretends to phone pretend hotel room. 1 minute later…. Jan: I’m sorry there seems to be no answer. Oh wait, I do have a message here for you, she said she had a late meeting, and wanted me to let you know that she will call you as soon as she can. I can leave a message that you called for her sir. Naive Husband: Oh, no problem, I’m sure she is busy. She will call me when she gets a chance. Jan calls “me” leaves a message for me to call, and alibi is created.

So, my first thoughts were.. wow… sick! Next, I thought, why didn’t I think of this business??? $500.00 per month per person… I started adding the numbers… if I had 10 clients, that would equal $5000 a month without putting out much for costs.. WOW, and the owners of this company said they had thousands of clients!!! Of course then my weak morals kicked in, and I thought to myself, but the poor innocent spouses… that didn’t last long. I guess the numbers are around 40% of marriages that end because of affairs, and the companies motto is to allow marriages to be happier, by allowing the affairs, without the risk of getting caught.

If people are going to cheat anyway, and it makes them happier in the end, does it make it alright? If the other spouse never finds out, does it cause any harm?

If anyone comes across this blog, and saw the show, or just wants to comment on it, please do. I would love to know what you think. I am amazed that such a company exists. I knew that there were companies to find cheaters, I just didn’t know there were ones to help them remain closet cheaters. Interesting concept. …I have managed to remain completely unbiased on this topic on grounds that it might incriminate me…. nah just kidding, I wouldn’t pay a company to do the lying for me, but I’m not saying that they shouldn’t exist. If people are willing to pay, then why not start a business around what sells, and as the saying goes… sex sells. I’m sure this company will be in business a long time, as long as they make it through the angry spouses that eventually find out. The truth always comes out in the end..right?

Tune in next time to Montel Williams – Angry husband guns down company that helped their spouse cheat :p