Data Privacy Day

February 1st, 2012 - by Angela

data-privacyJust recently, we celebrated Data Privacy Day.  I thought that since it is important enough to have a day devoted to it, I might include some tips/idea to protect yourself.  We have seen a rise in the number of leaks in private consumer and business data over the past year.  Almost daily, the news reports another company or organization who was hacked or somehow had important data compromised.  It is a little overwhelming to know how to stay safe in this environment!

I think one of the biggest areas where we are at risk is within our social media accounts.  If someone gets illegal access to your Facebook, Twitter, or other account, they can use your friends’ information to send phishing or other types of attacks.  One of my husband’s friends showed me the application on his phone that would allow him to compromise someone’s account if they were using an unsecured wireless network and a social media site. 

We could see the people that were logged on to the unsecured wireless Internet at the restaurant where were had met. We were even able to click into one person’s Facebook account and make a post as if we were that person.  Apparently, the person who was logged in to Facebook had not changed their account settings to only browse secure pages.  My husband’s friend even went so far as to go over and show the person how to change his Facebook account settings.

If this does not concern or scare you, it should.  We cannot depend on others to keep our digital data private.  We must be proactive and take responsibility for it ourselves. If you use a smartphone or tablet, you could also be at higher risk. Scammers are looking every day for loop holes or ways to exploit the apps that are downloaded onto our mobile devices.  Just because someone puts a great app out there to be downloaded does not mean that he or she has made a way to secure it properly.  Especially be cautious of places that seem “safe”, like your Twitter feeds, LinkedIn updates, and YouTube comments and forums.

You also need to be on guard against the “fake” anti-virus tools.  For example, you see a message window pop up telling you that you have infected files and that your anti-virus has expired.  It is best to open your anti-virus and run a scan immediately.  Do not click on the message window that had popped up.  Only renew/update your anti-virus by opening your program and launching it yourself. Or, go to your anti-virus company’s website and purchase the upgrade/update there.

Online learning…Pros and Cons

January 23rd, 2012 - by Angela

pro-and-conOne day in class, I had a great question asked by an executive from a large organization.  He happened to be attending one of my software classes but wanted to know more about online learning.  His organization was thinking about implementing an online learning segment for some specialized training they were doing.  He was trying to figure out if moving to online learning would be the best bet for his team.

My first response was to ask him a few questions.  We ended up taking the discussion to lunch and talked for about 45 minutes.  I asked him specifically if they were thinking about online learning purely because they believed it could be cost-cutting or best for the budget.  If it were only being pursued because of that one aspect, then I said that they should stick with their regular classroom approach. 

If they were pursuing online learning because of feedback from employees, then that would be different.  When organization’s try something without researching to see what the true needs are, then the initiative often does not succeed.  If potential training participants are asking for the online learning as an option or alternative to in-person classes, then there is a better chance that they will actually use the online training modules.

I also asked him if the skills being taught and the type of training would be conducive to teaching online without a face-to-face classroom instructor.  If the concepts/topics/skills being taught could be simulated, taught, and practiced in an online learning environment, then I would definitely consider using it.  If not, then people would not use the tools that had been developed.  Also, if participants traveled for their job and were not available for face-to-face classes, then that would be another consideration.

Our discussion passed by so quickly during lunch for me.  I loved being able to watch the wheels turn in the executive’s brain.  He had done his homework and had surveyed potential training participants and had talked to many of them personally.  I was really impressed with how thoughtful he was of the wanting to do the right thing and not just throw another item out there that everyone was forced to use but did not want to use.

If you are in the same boat as this executive, give me a call.  We can help you figure out if you would be better to do face-to-face classes, online learning classes, or a hybrid of both.  I would love to hear from you!

Staying on the Path to Success

January 17th, 2012 - by Angela

pathI have confessed before that I get much of my reading on technology and business literature done while waiting.  Waiting on people to get to a meeting on time, waiting in line, waiting in a doctor’s office, etc.  I have a little folder of materials that I collect.  One of these days I will make a decision and buy a tablet.  I just want to get some more feedback from people to figure out which one I think would work best for me. 

Sorry, I digress.  My whole point in that was to mention that I read a survey that a friend of mine handed me a few weeks ago.  The survey was given to key executives and was conducted by The Center for Creative Leadership. They asked, “What factor separates people who are on the fast track from those who get left behind?”  I was completely intrigued by the question alone since I think I have a phobia about being left behind with some technological advance.  Working in the technology field tends to instill that fear!

The findings of the survey were just as intriguing to me.  The survey identified three main reasons why someone talented might fail to succeed:

+  They don’t adapt during transitions.   When someone decides not to change or will not alter their behavior, they may not progress, become stagnant in some area, and end up failing.  I have seen this happen when someone tries to enforce an outdated management style.

+  They are difficult to work with. I have heard people described as only following the “my way or the highway” philosophy.  They do not show any caring or sensitivity to others, even if they truly have those feelings.  They are very negative about others who do not do it the way they think it should be done.

+ They fail to lead in a team-centered way.   Being able to work on a team or lead a team is one indicator of someone who will not be able to succeed in the long run in most fields.  So many businesses and organizations are team-based or department-based.  If someone is overly aggressive or takes credit for everyone else’s work, then the team is not going to succeed in the long-run.  Being able to form and lead a cohesive team means that everyone must cooperate and work together.

After reading about the survey, I went online to look up the rest of the information about the survey.  I found that it was initially published in 1996.  I was surprised because the findings seemed just as relevant for today as they did 16 years ago.  From a training/technology perspective, I realized how clear that made it that these principles of success and failure were very important since they have stood the test of time.  In technology fields, you must adapt and grow or else you are out the door just like the old versions of software.  You have to use your knowledge of software to help your team, to support your team, and to lead your team. 

So, my questions to you are: Are you getting the training on software and soft skills to stay current and to adapt and succeed in today’s market? Are your skills at a level where you can help, support, and lead your team to success?

Office 2010 Favorite Features & Fixes

January 9th, 2012 - by Angela

favoritesFrom time to time, I like to include a post with some of my favorite features or fixes from different applications.  This time I want to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2010.  I use these applications all the time!  So anything that is a new feature that helps me every day is worth sharing, at least in my book. 

Recent Places

I use several of the same documents, spreadsheets and presentations in the course of a month.  I usually try to keep them all organized but it never hurts to have another tool to find a recently used file.  Sometimes I open files from websites, which can be more difficult to remember locations. The Recent Places feature in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is just what I have wanted!  When you click on the File tab and choose Recent, you will see a list of places and files.  You can right-click any of these and “pin” them.  That way, they will stay put in the list and not get moved out as most recent items show up. I love not have to browse to find my frequently used files every time!

Word Line Spacing

I am one of the folks who does not like the change in line spacing to 1.5 for Word 2007 and 2010.  I understand that they changed it to make it more readable, but it just does not work when I am designing a training handout or manual.  If you prefer the spacing from Word 2003, you can change it simply and quickly.  Just look for the “Change Styles” button the Home tab. (It is over to the right.)  From the menu that appears after clicking that button, choose Style Set and select Word 2003. It changes the line spacing 1.0 and the “spacing after” amount to 0 point.  Yay!  Problem solved!

SmartArt

When I am creating a manual or report, I turn into this ultra word-efficient, table/diagram crazy person.  I love trying to minimize all of the text because most people will not read it anyway.  So, I LOVE the new diagrams available in Office 2010 for SmartArt.  If you have not used these, you need to!  In Word, Excel or PowerPoint 2010, just click on the Insert tab and choose SmartArt. There are so many designs to choose from.  I’m sure you will find one that you like or that you can start with and then customize.  One you have picked your diagram, you can type in text in the text pane or in many of the shapes themselves.  There are two contextual tabs that will appear at the top of your screen that contain all the SmartArt tools you will need. 

Hope you will find these tips useful!  Enjoy!

Where is Computing and Training going?

January 2nd, 2012 - by Angela

crossroadI had a conversation the other day with a fellow trainer.  We had talked about what it was like when we did training, just five years ago (when we met). Even over that short a time period, technology has changed and adjusted so much.  The speed of major changes is what I cannot seem to get used to, which may be a sign of getting older.

After our conversation, I started thinking about where computing/learning/technology is going to be 5 and even 10 years from now.  I honestly do not even know that I can imagine fully what technology will be morphed into at that point.  I can make a few guesses, though.  I thought it would be interesting to pull this post out years from now and see if I was anywhere close to right on any of my ideas. Maybe I will make my own time capsule.

I think that mobility, flexibility, and customizability (is that a word?) are the characteristics of what computing and technology will look like.  I can see now that I rely on so much of the cloud computing and file saving away from my main computer/laptop.  I know that my home base is still my home laptop.  But, I access most of my applications and files from their location, not on my laptop hard drive.

I believe that like myself, more and more people are going to be transitioning to a cloud computing concept where files, music, email, etc. is all contained in a place that is easily accessible from all of our mobile devices.  My next purchase will not be another laptop, but will be a tablet device.  Many more of us are using our smart phones to supplement our laptop/desktops right now. 

I can see the shift so that even more of our work is completed on mobile devices, too.  Right now, most of us are still tethered to our primary workstation.  That may change in the next few years, though.

As far as training goes, I can see some learning organizations moving to more open content that is dissected using learning analytics to assess and assign numbers to what and how we are learning.  I also see many online training programs allowing customization of personal learning environments.

I like the idea of adjusting how my learning environment looks to be able to make a better structure for me to allow for my style of learning.  However, I am not as crazy about trying to put numbers on all parts of the learning process.  Just because I may not like it, does not make it any less likely to happen, though.  We have seen this transition in the K-12 and college levels, so it makes sense that it would make its way into corporation/organizational learning, too. 

As we move into 2012, we must realize that reduced budgets and increased need for technology skills will propel many of the changes we see within the next five years.  I have told you my ideas on where we are headed.  Write a comment and let me know what you think!

Stressed? Try Training!

December 26th, 2011 - by Angela

no-stressIn many of my recent classes, I have seen the stress level building among the class participants.  And, that is as they just walk in the door.  This is even before I have a go at them…just kidding! 

At the beginning of all of my classes, I mention that I want the training to be an enjoyable learning experience. It cannot be enjoyable or even a learning experience if they are not engaged.  I have everyone attempt to disconnect from their always-attached smart phone and try not to think about everything that is distracting them back at their desks.

Usually after the first 30 minutes of our training session, most participants realize that they are learning new things that will help them immediately in their current positions.  At that point, I can see them relax some and can watch them visibly calm down. I am thankful that I teach such relevant software in class so that the participants can benefit right away from what they are learning.

There are some students over the years that I just have not been able to reach, though.  They call of their jobs and urgent situations keep them away from class or do not allow them to come back after break, lunch, etc.  They literally have an hour or two at most to be able to devote to training and so cannot participate in a half-day or full-day session.

If this is something you have experienced, I would suggest a desk side training session. I have conducted many of these training sessions and have never left anyone unsatisfied with what they have learned.  A desk side training session is usually a one-on-one or one-on-two session that can last from one hour up to three or more hours.  For the busy professional, desk side training can work wonders because all of the training is directly relevant.  It is done at the person’s desk using the person’s actual files.

I have worked for clients who want to have a half-day one-on-one session with three different people.  I spend one hour at each person’s desk, answering specific questions related to that individual’s files and job. One hour may not sound like much time, but when it is focused on just one person’s needs, an amazing amount can be covered and learned.

If you are in need of training like this to increase your technology skills without spending too much time away from your job, contact me.  If you mention this blog, you can even get $50 off your next training class.  See, I have even reduced your financial stress, too!

Shop Safely Online

December 19th, 2011 - by Angela

santaIf you are like me, you are doing some (or all) of you shopping online this year.  Because of a rather hectic Fall, I am behind on getting my holiday shopping completed.  So, some of my browsing and buying is happening at midnight while I finish up laundry and attempt to keep quiet so that I do not wake everyone in the house, including the cats that like to congregate around my laptop where the warm air vents out. 

While I am doing my shopping, how can I be sure that I avoid scams, fraudulent websites, and enjoy safe purchasing? Here are a few tips that might help you when you are online buying gifts:

-    When you decide to go online, make sure you are not on a public computer, like in a library.  If you intend to input your credit card information at any point, it is best to be on a secured network, not on a Wi-Fi connection.

-    Make sure you are using an updated browser.  I actually use Firefox and Chrome much of the time.  However, some websites will not allow you to use those when you are putting items in your cart or going through the purchase process.  So, in that case, I have to use Internet Explorer.  Currently, Internet Explorer 9 is the latest version available.

-    If you try to stick with the well-known, reputable websites, you much less likely to have a problem.  If a site offers the use of PayPal, that is a good option, too.  My credit card even offers the use of a one-time use credit card number for each purchase as an additional safeguard.  

-    When you decide to purchase, make sure to look for a secure website when you go into the actual process of purchasing.  Look for a web address the https.  You may not see it when you add an item to your cart, but you should see it once you are asked to log in or to enter any information.  Also look for a closed padlock beside the web address.  For the most part, this indicates that a website is secure.

-    Choose a strong password for all of your online shopping accounts.  You will need to use at least 6-8 characters for most sites.  Additionally, do not use any common words.  These are easy to predict for most people, like your pet’s or child’s name. Be wary of a site that asks for anything more than the basic information to make a purchase.  For example, if they ask for your social security number, you might be on a fraudulent site.

Hope these tips help you out!  Have a happy and safe shopping experience!