PowerPoint Me in the Right Direction

Recently I've had a few changes occur in my professional life. The most major was making the choice to leave behind a wonderful position at Conestoga College, and take on a new challenge as the E-Learning Trainer (read that as – we need someone to administer and design web based learning modules, plus since you know Office you can train our staff) for a major transportation company.

We had our employee conference not that long ago, and as a new employee it was very enlightening for me.

For one thing I got to meet all the key players in the company, and for another, I got to spend a weekend with some really fun people getting to know my work colleagues.

I have to admit how surprised I was to find that the company has not standardized the following:

• Servers
  
• Desktop and laptop operating systems (we have everything from Win 98 to Vista)
  
• Office Applications (again – everything from Office 98 to Office 2007 – which I practically demanded and was glad they acquiesced to my request – Does that sound piratty? Arrrr)
  

Many key staff members gave presentations on some of our new initiatives, going green, sales, service, training etc. And I admit to being just a little concerned when the presentations were missing key corporate branding opportunities.

What is a corporate brand you ask?

A corporate brand is the "theme" used in every day communications – everything from trucks and labels to letterhead, using a logo and a colour scheme to reinforce the company name. I'm sure that almost everyone knows the Nike logo because it is everywhere – it is consistent and it never changes (except the size and maybe colour depending what it is on). My point is, every presentation given missed the opportunity to enforce pride in our company by using a customized PowerPoint template for the presentations.

One presentation was orange, another blue with so much text I thought I was reading a book in the ocean, and yet another was green.

Lacking the standardized colour scheme and templates was something I think the company should have addressed prior to this meeting. But to my amazement, I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT NOTICED!

Now, being new, that's one thing, but as a trainer I am a born observer. I have to be able to observe, read and respond before someone even knows they have a question formed in their brain. My observation skills were working overtime, and I actually left one presentation with a headache.

So upon returning to the office the following Monday, I called upon my trusty Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 and I created the same template in both the new POTX format and the old POT format so that all employees, regardless of their Microsoft Office version, could use these templates to go forth and take over the world!

Ok – not quite…but one day….

Las Vegas, We Have Lift Off

The good news - let me see if I can sing it loud.... LLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I received the approval for the Lectora User conference in Vegas - and am getting ready to pass all my information on to someone else to do the registering and paying and flight booking etc. etc.

This is very exciting and I am really looking forward to the learning opportunity and most important, the networking with other users.

Many of us may never have considered the value in networking at conferences like this because we may actually be in competition for jobs, clients, or just to keep one up on Jones over there...but me, I see this as a real opportunity to make some solid contacts of both designers and trainers already using a product so that if/when I get stuck and need help, I will have built a foundation upon which to call.

That's right - networking at this conference should net me contacts all over North America. I see it as a huge pool swimming with opportunity and I'm going fishing!

Look for me if you go!

She's Electric - I mean Lectora

Today I was introduced to the software I will use to create web based learning modules.

It's Lectora by Trivantis.

I've only had a little look and done just a little more research online, but overall it seems like this will be a fairly easy to use web based course creation tool and I'm really looking forward to what it has to offer from both the design and usability scopes.

As well it will be great to finally discover what learning management system we're going to use and how to administer it, but really Jac...slow down. Take it one step at a time. Stop rushing, things will come.

As my good friend Colleen tells me, I should really adopt Slow Movement. I perused Carl Honore's blog and was smiling at the article about email where he discusses how some companies are banning the use of email during personal time....now if only I could get my mind to shut off as easily as my Blackberry....

But I digress...

I am really looking foward to working with Lectora. One thing that really peaked my interst about it was the fact that they have a user conference coming up in April and the conference could include THREE days of training and the two days of the conference.

I requested to go (already - I know I've hardly been here 48 hours and already I'm asking to go to a conference) and hope to hear some positive news soon. For now....I'm back to see what Lectora is going to offer me and the learners here at my company.

Tough Decisions

It's not often we are faced with really tough decisions, although many of us like to think that we do it on a daily basis.

I've had to face some really REALLY tough decisions the last two months.

The hardest decision I ever made was the decision to give up a private business I've worked hard at and been successful with for 7 years, to return to the corporate world.

The next hardest decision - seriously, has been the decision I made to step down as President of the Waterloo-Wellington IT Professionals user group.

And the last really hard decision I've made lately is one to move out of the region I've lived all my life and move to the GTA.

Many of you know that my spouse was recently disagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and it's been a tough year for us, and with all the medical appointments and other things, sometimes we have to put our loved ones first - and for a change, I put my family before my love of my IT community.

Giving my notice to the executive members of WWITPRO was a tear jerking moment for me.

But - while I say it was the hardest decision, it really was hard, it was easy just too because I know I will always choose to put my family first....I just didn't want to feel forced to actually DO the resigning.

I am certain that WWITPRO will continue to thrive in our very high-tech community. And I wish much success to the incoming President, Peter Piluk.

Something Old - Something New

Isn't that the familiar saying - you know the one used for brides?

I feel a little like a bride today. All the mixed emotions playing tricks on your mind...most brides can relate with feelings like: am I good enough? will we be happy? will this last? When will the honeymoon begin - then again, when will it end?

Those are many of the same questions I've asked myself today since I started my new job at 9 this morning.

Am I good enough to do this job? Did they choose the right person? Will they regret their decision?

• Will we be happy? Will they be happy with me, will I be happy working here?
• Will this last? Will it last long enough for me to collect my first paycheck - or last years of seeming bliss?
• When will the honeymoon begin? I know I've been here only one day, but I wonder, where is that euphoria I'm supposed to feel about starting a new position - especially one that I really REALLY wanted (like this one)?
• Once the honeymoon starts, when will it end? Will I become dissatisfied, or find that e-learning really isn't what I wanted it to be?

I was certainly feeling insecure as I rode up in the elevator, but as I was taken from department to department and introduced to all the staff, managers and partners, it became clear that they really want me here. They (all the staff) are looking forward to having a trainer on staff and they are anxious to be able to learn new things (HOOORAY!).

Now I'm feeling optimistic about my role here and I'm anxious to leave my mark!

Just to celebrate, I wore:

• something old --- dress pants
• something new --- sexy new black shoes
• something borrowed--- my daughters lipgloss (though technically I didn't ASK and I don't plan to give it back)
• something blue --- my new blue blouse which looks stunning with my dress pants and sexy black shoes

May this be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Just Because....

I was a trainer - doesn't mean I am an Instructional Designer. I have flaws, and this is one of them.



Over the last 12 years I've been instructing for major companies, government agencies, and retraining people who have been injured and need to be placed in new jobs.

In the not too distant past I created course curriculum for my clients and provided instruction on that material. When I didn't have time or the expertise I purchased manuals from one of two suppliers...and the materials happened to be the same manuals used by the local college for their one-day professional development workshops.

I expect I have a lot to learn about the psychology and science behind learning in order to make me the best I can be at my job.

It's time to buckle down - and now that I've admitted I lack some skills I feel may be required to do my new job, I'm off to upgrade and better myself!

I LOVE EDUCATION!

What the New Year Holds

Aahh - as the slurs of Hpe Nw Flear (also known as "Happy New Year") begin to slip away from my memory banks, looking back brings a sudden tear of joy mixed with apprehension to my eye as one chapter in my life closes and another opens.

It's an exciting beginning, 2008 is, after a seemingly disastrous 2007, I seem to be getting back to the point that I am now able to grow again and learn instead of "just" helping other people learn.

That's right! I'm transitioning from being a trainer to a role that will challenge me as I learn all about Instructional Design for adult e-learners. (Although some of my time will still be spent in front of a truly appreciative audience while I expound the virtues of various Microsoft Office productivity tools - thank goodness at least, that I know how to do that....)

While I embrace this new challenge, I realize I have my work cut out for me. Not only do I have to learn the ways of the company I am working for, but I also need to learn new software so that I can eventually publish e-learning courses, AND I have to work on building my skills in instructional design and technical writing.

My hope is that what I learn along the way I will be able to share through this new forum.

I'm looking forward to successfully completing my first few weeks at my new position and wish i could run through the open door into the sunshine and rainbows that I perceive to be on the other side.

Why Do I Format Last?

Someone was watching me work the other day. I was preparing a Word document of instructions on completing a form. It wasn't a very challenging form, but there were many different features that needed to be discussed in depth with some hints and short-cuts that also needed to be addressed.

The format of the actual document was paragraphs, with some bulleted lists and a numbered list.

I could tell by the toe tapping that they had something they wanted to say every time I hit the enter key to add an item to my list of instructions. You see, I was ensuring that all of the content was in the document before I formatted it and it was driving the person crazy.

After I was all finished the text portion, which took me almost no time at all because I do type very quickly, I then was able to use predefined Styles I had created from another document and apply a consistent look and feel to the document. Did I mention that it was VERY quick to apply the styles? In total it took me 8 minutes to enter the text (7.5 minutes) and apply formatting (.5 of a minute).

When I finished the document and saved it, I sent the attachment to the people who needed it, including the person watching over my shoulder…. It took a couple of minutes before she asked me the big question.

Why don't you format as you type?

That, my friend, is very simple to answer.

When I get a question like that, in class or in the workplace, even at home, I always ask people what is the most important thing IN the document. (notice I don't say "about" the document)

Of course the most important things IN the document are my words.

Picture this: it is 2 pm on Friday afternoon. You are asked by your boss to create a document that pulls in 30 comparison figures for a client into a Word doc and you have to have it ready in ten minutes when the client shows up. If it takes you ten minutes to get the data and enter it into the doc, then you are all good – you have the important meat and potatoes that your boss needs for the meeting. He didn't specify he needed it all pretty.

If however you take your time entering in the data and formatting it at the same time, you may find that you get lost, take too much time trying to make something look good that when the ten minutes is up all you have are the first 5 of 30 numbers your boss needed. (Jac shrugs her shoulders) pretty is great, but the data is what is really important.

In reality all you've done is make yourself look silly and worse, made your boss look bad – and we NEVER want to make our boss look bad. EVER.

It isn't that I am unable to format as I type. I know all my keyboard shortcuts, and could format as I type without taking my hand off the keyboard. For me, it's a personal preference, the habit of ensuring the important pieces are down…then I can use AutoFormat features (Office 95-2003) or the great new preview features of 2007 to make the document look the way I think they should be – quickly – as long as I have the time.

I LOVE my Mouse

I do – really – I LOVE my mouse.

It isn't the "Eeek" kind of mouse, running across the floor being chased by Sylvester, it's a beautiful round grey mouse that fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.

(Picture courtesy of the following website: Microsoft.com (click here to access the direct link)

I used it extensively when I was training at the College…mainly because it was a wonderful tool that had everything I needed and allowed me the flexibility to move around the classroom and use the laser pointer, the PowerPoint tools and well – overall it was just wonderful!

I highly recommend this mouse, which retails for just over $100.00. I am in the midst of getting another one for my job, instead of using the Presenter Mouse I own, and forgetting to bring it back and forth I am getting one for the new training room I'm getting!

Can you sense my excitement???

Goal Setting Time Again

Every year my husband has to create his goals for the year to come.

He doesn't get a raise based on it.

He doesn't get evaluated (not really anyway) on it.

He doesn't even have to follow up during the year on it…. At least not as long as he puts in new and unique goals from the year before.

I always know when it is time for him to set his goals, because he huffs and puffs his way to his computer, he huffs and puffs as he tries to find the file, and he huffs and puffs when he realizes how FEW of the past goals he actually achieved.

Then, when he's done huffing and puffing and questioning why he didn't get these things accomplished and he's finished moping and feeling sorry for himself he turns on the hockey game and has a nap.

And he wonders why he didn't meet his goals.

To me, the question is always the same, why are you setting goals if you have no intention of meeting them?

His answer: "Because my boss wants them".

A couple of years ago I had a fantastic calendar. I only found it one year, and I really wanted another one – the calendar was a goal setting calendar – and every month there were some prompts for you to fill in goals based on the monthly theme. Some months there were personal goals, health goals, family goals – and of course business goals. I loved this tool. It had little flower stickers for you to put on the calendar when you met a goal and it really helped to get me organized.

Top that off with the ability to let me see where I was wasting my time, and it really helped me cut out some of the tasks I didn't really need to do or maybe didn't need to put on the calendar. (I also had a chance to see that I didn't spend nearly enough time on ME.)

Here are some simple tips to assist in Setting and Achieving Goals

• Create simple goals that have a probable end. Open ended goals that have no end are very difficult to achieve. For example: improve my driving…does that mean parallel parking, not following too closely, not driving too quickly…
  If we create a more manageable and measurable goal it is easier to meet and stroke off the list.
  
  • Practice parallel parking twice a week for three weeks þ and be able to parallel park my car on the first attempt.
    

    My mom always said practice makes perfect. If I practice the task I won't get rust and I will improve. It is now measurable as well because we specify ONE attempt (not the ten like on Canada's Worst Driver).
    

• Keep your goals in sight. If, like my husband, you make a list of goals and then don't follow up on them you will never achieve them. Although they are in the very back recesses of his mind, he doesn't visit them more than once per year.
  
  • Place your goals on a sheet of paper (sticky notes work too) and keep them on your bulletin board or in your day timer. Keeping the goals in view helps you see what you wanted to achieve so that you are able to analyze why you are or are not achieving them.
    
• Create 3 lists for goals…Short Term, Middle Term and Long Term. Short term goals are things that you would like to achieve in the next 3 months. Middle term goals are goals that can be achieved in the next 6-9 months and long term goals are those that may take up to or over a year to accomplish.
  
• Measure your success. Put happy faces, stickers or other items on the goals you have met. Seeing your successes in small manageable chunks makes it much easier to finish tasks that may have been on your list for quite some time.
  
• Revisit your goals on a regular basis. Your life changes all the time. You make decisions that affect other things in your life. If you get a new job doing something in a completely different field, then the goal to learn the new software at work isn't required anymore so take it off your list.
  
  • Edit the list of goals to ensure they are still appropriate for you. You may want to change the way your success is measured, you might want to add or delete goals.
    
• Don't be discouraged if a goal you think is a short term goal takes longer to achieve. If goals were easy to attain we wouldn't need them. Some goals may take longer to achieve then others…try to be OK with that!
  

The more you see the goals, and work with them the more attention you pay to getting those goals off your list of things to do!

Microsoft Sponsors 2 more Study Groups!

I am pleased to announce that Microsoft Canada has provided study materials for two more study groups - both for Windows 2003 server.

Once the dates and locations for study groups have been arranged details will be available at the WWITPRO website.

Community Gets "In the Know"

thank you to all the WWITPRO community members, supporters, sponsors and players out there!

We had an overwhelming success at our WWITPRO in the Know event we held Wednesday October 17, 2007.

there were over 75 members of our community out to this fantastic event! I had such a good time (setting aside my Rick Claus-like technical difficulties) and presented Home Server to an enthusiastic group of people.

We had a special visit from two groups of women involved in IT courses at Conestoga College!

Peter and Don gave excellent presentations and of course - Ruth gave us some enlightening information as well! I had so much fun and met so many people! What a great time!

The executive committee has agreed that this needs to be a semi-annual event - so we'll be putting together another event in the very near future.

Community Means…Giving

I was having dinner with a friend not long ago and we were discussing our communities. I happened to mention that my family is considering a BIG move from our lovely City of Waterloo to a much larger, busier community just west of Toronto.

We were discussing community and how we enjoyed different aspects of the communities we grow up in, how things have changed from the 70's when no one locked their doors, kids could run and play outside without the fear of child predators, and neighbours watched out for neighbours. Those were the good old days, now we discussed the fears we have as parents, the growing crime rates (which really aren't growing – they are staying the same, it just seems like they are growing because there are more people living here so there is more crime…we accept that).

One area we started to discuss in great detail was the changes to the professional communities we have belonged to over the last ten to twelve years. I have been a member of the Society for Technical Communicators, The Computer Trainers Network, DigitalEve, various Women in Networking groups, and my most favourite and passionate is the IT PRO community of WWITPRO.

We admitted that one of the reasons we both started to look at professional organizations like the STC and CTN was to assist in networking. Networking is huge business (and I don't mean the COMPUTER NETWORKING!!!) but what I really wanted was not only a place to network and meet people, but a place that I could learn and grow professionally.

Many of the groups, I felt, were all focused on people looking for the ME ME ME – I'm not like that. Yes, I really want to get better at what I do and I really want to learn new things and have new experiences, but I don't want to be in a battle for attention at a community event, and I certainly don't expect people to pay me because I give them some tips on how to use Microsoft Office more effectively. Many of the networking events I'd been to in the past were all about getting things out for you and not helping other's achieve what they came for. I often left these meetings feeling deflated or frustrated and many times I felt I had wasted my time AND my money (if the event wasn't a free event).

That is why I felt so honoured when Ruth Morton, then of a fantastic consulting firm Agora Inc., now a Microsoft TechNet Canada Team Member, asked me if I was interested in being involved in a new IT focused professional group geared to educating and networking for IT Pros in our area! That was back at the end of 2005 and since then I have been an executive member and am not the president of the group, hoping to make my mark on the community by showing others in the area that it is A-OK to give your time, energy and knowledge to others without expectation.

In the long run, I believe I will learn the most from my participation with this group. I have so many ideas on helping to rebuild the good name that IT Pros beginning with Certifications. We've already created several Microsoft Server and Operating System study groups and have helped 7 of the participants to pass different Microsoft certification exams. I myself and working towards completing a couple of certifications – and knowing the value of certifications AND experience, I feel that offering a place to help an IT Pro or even a FUTURE IT Pro on their way to successfully completing an examination is one way to not only build our IT Pro community but make it strong.

So – what community means to me: building strong community members willing to give as well as receive!

Getting in the Know

Waterloo Wellington IT Professionals announces a fantastic new event!

Get in the Know with the WWITPRO in the Know event coming soon!

check back for details - www.wwitpro.com

Presently we have the following lined up:

Ruth Morton, Microsoft
Don Spencer and Peter Piluk - Executive WWITPRO Members (Don is Co-Founder)
Yours Truly, President, WWITPRO

we'll look at some new stuff, some fun stuff and just all around have a great time.

The venue will be the Holiday Inn, Cambridge and the event will begin at 7! We hope to make this the single most successful IT Pro event in Cambridge.

Study Group Success

We have had our first MCDST study group Success!

Congratulations to Tim Jackson who passed the 70-272 exam!

Study Groups work - if you are intersted in participating we will work on the next session in the next month or so. www.wwitpro.com

MVP Visits WWITPRO Study Group

We are so pleased to have Mitch Garvis, Microsoft MVP and Small Business Specialist, offer to assist the WWITPRO group by offering to instruct a three day session to assist some of our WWITPRO members in preparing for the Microsoft 70-282 Exam.

Thanks Mitch for your contribution to our IT Pro community!

Excel-erate Your Spreadsheets

I am so excited.

I know you can't tell - but I am doing the Happy Dance around my office (and it's not a pretty sight so it's a good thing I'm alone!).

While prepping course content to deliver a custom session on Microsoft Office Excel 2007, I came across the feature I think I like the most.

DATA BARS!!!

I am a visual person. I like to see what numbers are and compare them with a visual representation so charts and graphs and other graphics are excellent for me.

This feature allows us to very quickly see the difference using a tiny embedded chart displayed RIGHT IN THE CELL!!!!

Now when I have a value in a cell, I use the Data Bars feature from the Conditional Formatting Drop Down in the Styles Ribbon of the Home tab! (Wow-that's a breath!!!)

I love, love, LOVE this feature.

Give it a try and see what I mean!

Vista Dilemma – I think not!

I must report that I've had no problem at all with my installation of windows VISTA - what I have had problems with was my display on my laptop....

not because my laptop video card sucks, but more because it was defective.

I was not able to use the 3-D flip feature of the new windows vista and everything on my screen that was supposed to be white was actually very tiny blue and white stripes...

I sent my laptop in to be repaired (under warranty thank goodness) and now all is right in the world of my vista install!!!

Hoooray -

Office 2007 – Early Adopter That’s ME

I cannot tell you enough times how happy I am to be involved with the review and creation of various Office 2007 courseware materials. I am really looking forward to the release of the Office 2007 courses and the new Office 2007 MOS exams!

As an early adopter of Office 2007, I have found myself falling more and more "in-like" with this product every day!

You know that as with all good changes, a few old stand-bys have to leave...that's the case with the new Office 2007. Yes, I love it! Yes, it's great to work with! Yes, there is a learning curve associated with using and implementing this product in the workplace! So - Don't Be Fooled!

Take some time to play before you really get into the swing with the Office 2007.

Why? well - it seems that Office 2007 is closely tied into SharePoint. (SharePoint is a fantastic tool free with Windows Server 2003 that allows you to collaborate more effectively with your teams) Some of the great features I really liked about Office 2003 like Reviewing and Tracking Changes, or the Compare and Merge features are gone within the program itself, but are alive and well if you are using SharePoint or SharePoint Portal.

The good thing is - in my organization, we use SharePoint - the bad thing is, some people who edit and review documentation for our organization don't use it - so we lose that nifty feature.

But you know - the good things far outweigh the bad...I love the new drawing features, the graphics are easier to work with and while the new "Ribbons" took a bit of getting used to, I am able to do everything I used to do only MUCH QUICKER and I find I'm much more effective in my communications as well.

Give it a try and see for yourself.

MCDST Study Group Open For Registration

I am pleased to announce that Microsoft Canada has agreed to provide some study materials and resources for members of the Waterloo Wellington IT Professionals.

Our next scheduled session will be for those wishing to group study, prepare and discuss the MCDST exam 70-271 - Windows XP.

I have many interested so please let me know if you are intersted in attending: Jacqueline@wwitpro.com