Bridging the Technology Literacy Gap in the Workplace TABRadio

So, I remember being told by my mom “everything has a place and therefore makes it easy to find and easier to put back in its proper place.”  Little did I know that this would be my first lesson in becoming an organized person and professional that I am today. I think I drive my wife crazy with it sometimes and is the one common trait that I am known for possessing by my professional colleagues. 

One thing I learned early on in my journey as an entrepreneur, which began more than 25 years ago, is the importance of being organized; not just for myself, but more importantly for my business clients & training students.  The only thing that has changed over the many years are the tools that I use to stay organized; both within my business and how I operate outside of my business wither at a client’s location or even in a classroom setting.  I'll be sharing during the broadcast more about an "organizational" tool that I use on a regular basis starting with my #1 tool for keeping me organized and that is the application – Microsoft OneNote.

Food for Thought: Imagine purchasing an item and the instructions are missing from the box.  What will you do?  Here are two options; forge ahead using the picture on the box as a guide, bring the item back to the store, or use the Internet to search for and download the instructions.  Why is this important?  The instructions are organized in such a way that if followed, it will yield the best chance of success in putting together the item the way it was intended to be completed.  Without the instructions (a series of detailed [organized & planned] steps telling how something should be done) the desired results may not be achieved.

Troy A. Burgher states confidently and with great conviction that technology is the key to achieving one’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2019.  Coming off a severe medical issue in 2018, one of the comforting aspects of dealing with that issue (outside of the tremendous support of family and friends) was technology and how I was able to begin my preparation for a comeback year in 2019.  Technology afforded me the ability to learn new skills, communicate with family & friends, work on my newly created business, maximize the time I had due to being restricted to my home during recovery, and I was even able to develop a virtual business relationship another business owner for accountability.

Over the next two TABRadio broadcasts (1/20/19 & 1/27/19) and also on my business web site’s (www.tabtraining.com) blog page, I will be sharing in more detail, how I will continue to use technology as a tool to develop and build up my self-discipline to handle the obstacles and discomfort associated with making changes in order to develop new habits.  It’s often stated that it takes anywhere from 21-66 days to form a new habit, so I must also show great patience for myself during this process; much like I‘ve done throughout my computer training career; lasting over a 25 year span.  

Do something different this holiday season by giving someone a gift that will keep giving.  Give the gift of knowledge that will provide a long-lasting benefit and grow in value over time.  Today so much effort and time are spent on being “in the moment”, with very little time spent on planning for the future.  Everything has to happen now!  "I want an answer to my work issue by clicking on this phone app – now!"  Or, "I want a job paying more money because I want to live a certain lifestyle – now! Or, even better, I want the raise and promotion (that someone else worked hard to acquire) - now!  Even though I feel I am the right candidate, so what I didn’t take the employee advancement courses at work that would have qualified me for the raise and promotion."  I am sure that you've heard all of these scenarios before, ones that I have come across as a trainer with over 25 years of employee training and working as a freelancer facilitating computer literacy/Microsoft Office Application classes.  Why not take this opportunity to empower someone (family member, friend, or co-worker) to help them help themselves.  Show them you really care by helping them invest in building up their technology literacy?  Give that person the “Gift of Knowledge” this holiday season.

There are two "technology literacy" gaps in the workplace!

25 years ago, I started working in an office-type environment where one’s technology literacy was based on the ability to "use" a computer, a printer, a copy machine, and a fax machine in order to perform his/her daily job duties. So much has changed since then, especially when it comes to administrative-type tasks and duties that were once the sole responsibility of the administrative department or staff within an organization.  Now with so much information easily accessible in an unbelievably face-paced workplace, the dependency of an "administrative only" staff breaks the budget or it puts management in a tough position of dealing with their own "technology literacy" gap that exists between them and the admin line worker.  

As a result of this, TAB Training & Consulting, LLC has created a unique service that aims to bridge the gap that exists between the employee and job-related admin tasks and the gap that exists between management and the admin front-line employees.  What used to be, and still is in many cases, the headache of a company's IT Department that exhausts staff resources, we are addressing through the employee onboarding process and by offering company-oriented and goal-specific training to relieve the stress caused due to the lack of administrative-related daily tasks.  Learn more about how we plan to address this situation through our virtual learning platform as we empower employees to become more efficient, effective, and productive users of technology.

Technology and computer literacy are important skills necessary to succeed personally and professionally.  Just like a carpenter needs the right tools, along with the knowledge and expertise on how to use such tools to succeed, so do we need the right tools in our technology tool chest to succeed in various aspects of our lives.  During this TABRadio broadcast session we will introduce our concept of a TABTechnology Tool Chest (Technology And Business Tool Chest) while focusing on April as Financial Literacy Month.  Therefore, featuring commonly used features within Microsoft Excel and looking at some under-used features all geared to help us with our personal and business finances.  We will discuss 50 general technology and computer literacy items you can also immediately add to your tool chest during our TABWeek celebration starting on April 29th and ending on May 3rd.  During which time we are offering four days of FREE webinars covering everything from "What's Under the Hood of Your Laptop/Computer System" to "Purchasing the right Microsoft Office Suite Product."  Visit www.tabtraining.com/tabweek.htm to learn more about and how to register for the upcoming webinars.  We are limiting each webinar to ONLY the first 10 that register, and we will be giving away an exclusive offer at the end of each of the webinars.

What a wonderful way to return to our regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon TABRadio broadcasts than on Mother's Day to acknowledge three individuals, yes you guessed it - all moms, that have been so instrumental in my life and in the development of the person that I am.  

During today's broadcast, I will highlight how each of these individuals played such a crucial role in my pursuit of achieving success as a social entrepreneur completely dedicated to enhancing the human capital and technology literacy of individuals residing in socially and economically challenged communities.

These three moms are my grandmother (Rose Hamilton), my Mom (Brenda Timms), and my sister (Tracy Burgher).  I am also the first to admit that there have been so many other moms that have greatly influenced the person that I have become, but these three are the ones that were pioneers to me - showing me how to survive against all odds and how to persevere against life's many obstacles.  

Please listen in to hear more about how these three individuals have helped me develop those intangible qualitied I will need to achieve the success that I have outlined in both my personal and professional life.