Working Smarter – Using Technology to Your Advantage

Duration: Offered as a 90 minute webinar or 2 days in class

Course Overview

Rudeness in the workplace is increasing to the level that universities are studying it. Everyone is busy, everyone is stressed, and most people take it out on their colleagues at one time or another. We’ve all been in a situation where we need to print something ASAP and someone has left the printer jammed, or we need coffee and the coffeepot is empty. Technology is supposed to make life easier and simpler, but most managers find themselves cleaning up the messes caused by too many gadgets. This course will show you how to leverage technology to work smarter, not harder.

Learning Objectives

  • Make your workplace a technology-friendly place
  • Make the most of computers, telephones, instant messaging, e-mail, contact management applications, and scheduling software
  • Communicate better with the IT department
  • Make the best software and training choices
  • Set an IT budget
  • Set expectations and responsibilities for security and privacy
  • Keep employees safe and healthy
  • Develop and implement a system usage policy
  • Implement policies for dealing with company property
  • Decide whether or not employees should telecommute
  • Make telecommuting work
  • Deal with workplace rage
  • Address technological issues

Course Outline

1. Course Overview

2. Making Your Company a Technology-Friendly Place

  • Tips and Tricks
  • Acme Consulting, Part One

3. Conquering Computers

4. Communicating with the IT Department

5. Choosing Software Wisely

  • The Three-Step Process
  • Acme Consulting, Part Two

6. Technical Training

  • Types of Training
  • Training Tips

7. Setting an IT Budget

  • Budget Basics
  • The Shrinking Budget

8. Security and Privacy

  • An Employee’s Rights
  • Doing Your Part
  • An Employer’s Rights

9. Uncontrolled vs. Controlled Networks

10. Ergonomics

  • What is Ergonomics?
  • Stretch!

11. System Usage Policies

  • What is a System Usage Policy?
  • Sample Internet, E-Mail, and Computer Usage Policy
  • Acme Consulting, Part Three

12. Taking Care of Company Property

  • Basic Rules of Etiquette
  • Making Connections

13. Time-Saving Tools

  • E-Mail Applications
  • Tips and Tricks
  • E-Mail Etiquette
  • Scheduling Applications
  • Contact Management Applications

14. Telephone Etiquette

15. Instant Messaging

  • Instant Messaging Etiquette
  • Understanding Acronyms

16. Telecommuting

  • What is Telecommuting?
  • Preparing for Telecommuting
  • To Telecommute or Not to Telecommute

17. Workplace Rage

18. It’s Not Working!

19. A Policies and Procedures Checklist

20. Personal Action Plan