.KEYWORD training
.FLYINGHEAD PALM TRAINING
.TITLE Get your team up to speed with these training solutions
.OTHER
.SUMMARY You’ve decided to implement Palm computing in your business, but you know that with the adoption of any new technology, there’s always a learning curve. You can shorten the curve by choosing the right corporate training company to instruct your staff on how to best take advantage of these powerful organization and management tools. In this article, Steve Niles surveys some of the corporate training solutions available that Palm, Inc. recommends.
.AUTHOR Steve Niles
So, you’ve decided to implement Palm computing in your business. With the adoption of any new technology, there’s always a learning curve. You can shorten the curve by choosing the right corporate training company to instruct your staff on how to best take advantage of the powerful organization and management tools you’ve acquired in choosing to put Palm handheld computers to work for you. What follows are some of the corporate training companies offering Palm training programs that Palm, Inc. recommends.
.H1 C.G. Wright & Associates
C.G. Wright & Associates (at http://www.cgwa.com) is a performance improvement company that has provided research-based learning programs to organizations around the world since 1977. Their wide range of training programs includes negotiation, influence, sales training, supervisory skills, team building, change management, and innovation. They customize their programs by incorporating a company’s culture and business trends into the structure of the training.
C.G. Wright & Associates provides pre-sales training support such as customer briefing, channel and business partner in-company training, sales training, and event support. Not only do they teach courses in how to maximize the effectiveness of the Palm handheld, but they are also integrating Palm technology with their personal productivity performance technologies. Typical programs provide a half and full-day series of two-hour Palm basics, as well as one-to-one executive coaching sessions. Half-day and daylong sessions are customized to specific client applications and formats.
.H1 Eagle International
Eagle International (at http://www.eagleplan.com) specializes in productivity training designed for sales professionals, managers, executives, and administrative support personnel across a range of industries. The company has a unique philosophy. They don’t view work as being that dull, ten-hour block of your day that breaks up your real life. Rather, work is viewed as potentially the most constructive element in your life, giving you, "some of your most treasured moments–your victories." As such, they emphasize the importance of productivity at work.
It’s appropriate, then, that they are now offering a Personal Productivity for Palm Handheld Users seminar, incorporating everyone’s favorite productivity tool into their training model. In these seminars, you, as a participant, are provided with a pre-loaded Palm m100 demonstration unit for hands-on productivity training. During the half-day seminar, you’ll be taken through exercises that cover each primary function of the Palm device. For example, you’ll learn how to manage tasks, record notes, schedule appointments, and enter contact data in the context of a real workday. You’ll also learn time management techniques specific to the Palm OS.
Seminar topics include:
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.BULLET Getting started–powering up and launching your applications;
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.BULLET Four ways to enter information into your Palm handheld;
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.BULLET Linking and integrating information across applications;
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.BULLET Assigning value and urgency to your tasks;
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.BULLET The best way to capture rapid-fire information without losing critical details;
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.BULLET What goes in your Address Book and what doesn’t;
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.BULLET Scheduling vital commitments with airtight reminders;
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.BULLET Beaming–the fun, fast, easy way to communicate with other handheld users.
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.H1 ExecuTrain Corporation
ExecuTrain Corporation (at http://www.executrain.com) offers certified technical instruction from companies like Microsoft, Lotus, and Novell, including skills-based certifications like A+, Network+, and Internet Webmaster certifications. Now they offer courses on the Palm OS platform, as well.
Consider their course on Palm III basics, for example. In this course, you’ll be introduced to the Palm III and its hardware. Class activities include setting up the Palm III, entering data, and using the Date Book, the Address Book, the To Do List, and the Memo Pad. The course also offers instructions on how to install new programs, how to use the Palm desktop, and how to HotSync.
.H1 Ease Technologies
Ease Technologies (at http://www.easetech.com) is a technology consulting firm that partners with organizations to create multiplatform computing solutions. These include network and integration consulting, software development, and project management services for corporate, government, and education customers.
Ease provides pre-sales training support, including customer briefing, channel and business partner in-company training, sales training, and event support. They also offer customized, on-site, half-day, and full-day sessions to business executives and computer support staff.
.H1 Franklin Covey
Franklin Covey (at http://www.franklincovey.com) offers a Time Management and Life Leadership seminar featuring the Palm OS platform as the key implementation tool. A free 30-minute Palm Basics Training is available at their 125 retail stores in the U.S., and they offer customized Corporate Palm Basics Training in two, four, or six hour classes.
You can also purchase, directly from Franklin Covey, Palm handhelds that come with the Franklin Planning Software Suite. The suite features task management and What Matters Most applications, including Governing Values, Roles and Key Relationships, Mission Statement, Weekly Compass Cards, and more. To read about my personal experience at a Franklin Covey seminar using the Franklin Planning Software Suite, read my article, "Franklin Covey knows what matters most" at http://www.palmpower.com/issues/issue200008/covey001.html.
.H1 Tech Resource Group
Tech Resource Group (at http://www.trginc.com) is an automation training and support company known for its total solution approach that combines instructor-led training, multimedia-based training, documentation, and support services. The company offers training on Palm basics for large groups or one-on-one training for executives.
Also of interest is the fact that Tech Resource Group is now offering learning programs through audio and text-based training delivered to Palm OS-based devices such as the Palm V and the Handspring Visor and Visor Prism. Through a partnership with Audio Intelligence, Tech Resource Group has made it possible for you to download pre-recorded information to your handheld through a secure connection from the Internet or from your own company’s intranet. You can then listen to the audio information while on the go.
According to Tech Resource Group, this transforms handheld devices into portable corporate communications centers. Companies can use this service to disseminate corporate training programs, product launch information, trade journal articles, executive speeches, and competitor intelligence
.H1 Twin Computer Training, Inc.
Twin Computer Training, Inc. (at http://www.twincomputers.com) has been developing custom training programs since 1991. It was created by actual twins Mandi Fiddle Bergenfeld and Robin Fiddle Siegel with the goal of delivering personalized, high quality training and consulting services to corporations of all sizes.
With technical experience and business training knowledge from Andersen Consulting and American Management Systems, between them, the co-founders have over 20 years of experience in developing, implementing, and supporting systems, and training end-users in customized computer applications.
For companies seeking professional training on Palm handhelds and custom Palm OS-based applications, Twin provides training seminars, slideshows, demonstrations, executive one-on-one training, quick reference cards, and cliff notes. Twin training expertise spans across a variety of industries including, pharmaceutical, healthcare, finance, banking, insurance, media, advertising, and legal markets.
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.H1 Conclusion
These are just a few of the training solutions Palm recommends. As the Palm computing platform grows in popularity, more and more corporate training companies are instituting Palm instructional programs. If you want to get your team up to speed on their new Palm handhelds, check out these companies listed here, or consult with your favorite corporate training organization to see if they offer a Palm training solution of their own.
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on C.G. Wright & Associates, visit http://www.cgwa.com.
For more information on Eagle International, visit http://www.eagleplan.com.
For more information on ExecuTrain Corporation, visit http://www.executrain.com.
For more information on Ease Technologies, visit http://www.easetech.com.
For more information on Franklin Covey, visit http://www.franklincovey.com.
For more information on Tech Resource Group, visit http://www.trginc.com.
For more information on Twin Computer Training, Inc., visit http://www.twincomputers.com.
For the article, "Franklin Covey knows what matters most" in the August 2000 issue of PalmPower, visit http://www.palmpower.com/issues/issue200008/covey001.html.
For more information on Palm devices, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Bulk reprints
Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.
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.BIO
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ee6f4e5
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