What’s currently holding you back in the workplace? Is it fear of failure? Fear of the lack of knowledge you imagine you have? Or is it a lack of technical ability you aren’t sure you can make up for?

Believe it or not, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your technical skills in the workplace. We’ve talked about a few of these things before – like reading technical books, taking online tutorial classes, and even befriending the IT guys. But what else can you do?

Take a Class

College classes aren’t just for those aiming to earn a degree. Are you having problem learning the ins and outs of a particular program. Check the schedule at your local college and find out if there is a class available. Some colleges offer classes for their degree students while others offer workshops and tutorial programs for people with specific interests.

Experiment with Different Software

Let’s assume you need a software program that will perform xyz function. Chances are there are about a dozen or more programs on the market that claim to do just that. The problem is that some are easier to use than others. Don’t feel bad about using more than one program to get the job done. Eventually you’ll find the one that works best for you, automatically eliminating some of your technical disability.

Build a Website

This sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? The truth, though, is that the best way to gain technical experience is by doing things that require technical skill. I’m not asking you to build the next great money-making website. Start small by creating something your team can use to stay in touch. As you learn about web design and programming you’ll slowly but surely lose your fear of technology.

Practice makes perfect. The better you are with technology the more valuable you’ll be to your organisation.

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Development

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”

Do you go to work fearing something will go wrong – not because you don’t know how to do your job but because you still have trouble using the programs and systems put in place to make your life easier? If this is the case, it’s time to work on enhancing your technical skills. Doing so will not only help to secure your future but will allow you to go to work with a sense of calm instead of fear.

Pick Up a Few Good Books

For those of us who aren’t techies, reading a technologically oriented book may seem like a nightmare. In truth, picking up a couple of simple books and familiarizing yourself with a few technological concepts really can’t hurt. For example, if you’re not good with Microsoft Excel you might pick up a book about the program itself. You may learn how to simply a function that you were having trouble with and, at worst, you might learn the correct verbage to use when asking your IT department for help.

Make Friends with the IT Guys

There is no excuse for not knowing the names of the guys who work in your organisation’s IT department. You should not only know who they are, but you should have a good working relationship with them as well. Make friends with these people, and you’ll not only learn a little bit about your computer but they’ll be more likely to help you out when you have problems or training issues – even if they’re having a bad or busy day.

Take Advantage of Online Tutorials

I know they’re time consuming, but online tutorials were designed for a reason – to make your life easier. It may seem like a waste of time to spend 30 minutes listening to an online training program, but imagine how much faster you could have solved that last tech problem had you only taken the time to watch the online training video that a) probably answered your question and b) probably ran shorter than it took you to find your own solution.

Enhancing your technical skills will give you the tools you need to effectively communicate as well. Make sure technical skill training sessions are included in your management courses and you’ll be surprised at how much more effective your and your fellow managers can really be.

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training Courses

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”

We spoke once before about how, as a manager, you need to have strong technical skills in order to understand and monitor the jobs of your subordinates.

There is, however, another good reason to make sure you brush up on your technical skills. While no one wants to think about it, there is always a possibility that you may lose your management position.

What if your company decided to downsize? In some cases, a company will attempt to move a person whose position has been eliminated into a new one. What if that meant moving down a notch on the corporate scale? What if the only thing holding you back was the fact that you weren’t qualified because you never properly trained on the systems used by your organisation?

It’s time to evaluate your technical skills. Take a moment and make a list of all of the programs and machines used within your company. Be sure to include the basics, such as word processing and spreadsheet creation programs, as well as email applications. Can you effectively navigate your client or project database system?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, it’s time to get some additional technical skill training. I don’t want to hear that you just don’t have enough hours in the day. Learning the programs you really should already know could mean the difference between keeping your job and having to find a new one.

Is that a risk you’re willing to take?

Thanks again,
Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training

Click below for a:
FREE email course “Improve Your Management Skills”

Today I want to spend a little bit of time discussing the first managerial skill on yesterday’s list: technical skills. While it may not seem important to some, a lack of technical skill will result in ineffective results when it comes to completing your own day to day tasks while at the same time guiding your team. The juggling act will eventually become unbearable!

Technical skills include simple things such as the ability to properly operate a computer, efficiently use the various software programs that are required in your particular environment, and handle other electronic gadgets that may pertain to your job function. These skills are especially important for lower level managers, as they are often responsible for training their subordinates.

Technical skills are essential to effective leadership. Besides, if you don’t know how to effectively complete a task, how can you rightfully judge others when it comes time for review? You’ll have no way of knowing whether or not your team members are completing their jobs properly, opening up the possibility for a future disaster.

A friend of mine approached me recently with a story about the president of the company she works for. He has spend thousands of pounds implementing systems that would allow for front-end scanning and a more efficient work flow, eliminating the need for paper files. The problem? He doesn’t know how to use them himself and is constantly asking his employees to print documents for his review.

In my opinion, this particular business owner has two problems. First, he is setting a horrible example for his employees. “Do as I say and not as I do,” is a terrible business philosophy. His refusal to learn about the systems he has pushed to implement will leave his subordinates questioning his knowledge, skill, and authority.

Second, he is setting himself up for failure. If, at some point, his direct reports become ill or quit, he will have no idea how to even begin accessing all of the valuable information that has been electronically stored within his operating systems. He’ll then have to delegate these tasks to others in order to find information, which will further burden his already struggling team.

In this example, the individual in question is actually a member of upper management. While lower level managers have the most technical responsibility, there is no excuse for middle or upper management to go without proper training as well.

Remember, managers who set positive examples often get the best results!

Thanks again,

Sean

Sean McPheat
Managing Director
MTD Management Training