SBDC for Enterprise Excellence

Technology Knowledge: share the wealth!

Can you imagine someone who works in a factory that processes metal not knowing how to use a blowtorch? 

Quite often, blogs simply reiterate an idea covered in another blog. The concept of “not reinventing the wheel” applies to blogs too.  Today, I will do this but also elaborate a bit.  The quiz below caught the eye of a co-worker who shared it and referred to Seth Bodin’s blog. 

Here’s a simple quiz and comments from Seth Bodin’s blog:
• Can you capture something you see on your screen and paste it into Word or PowerPoint?
• Do you have a blog?
• Can you open a link you get in an email message?
• Do you read more than five blogs a day?
• Do you have a signature in your outbound email?
• Do you have an RSS reader?
• Can you generate a PDF document from a Word file you’re working on?
• Do you know how to build and share a simple spreadsheet using Google Docs?
• Do have a shortcut for sending mail to the six co-workers you usually write to?
• Are you able to find what you’re looking for on Google most of the time?
• Do you know how to download a file from the internet?
• Do you back up your work?
• Do you keep track of contacts using a digital tool?
• Do you use anti-virus software?
• Do you fall for internet hoaxes and forward stuff to friends and then regret it?
• Have you ever bought something from a piece of spam?

Can you imagine someone who works in a factory that processes metal not knowing how to use a blowtorch? How can you imagine yourself as a highly-paid knowledge worker and not know how to do these things… If you don’t, it’s not hard to find someone to teach you.

Many of us are expected to understand and use “technology” in our jobs, but many of us are somewhat ill equipped and/or not bold enough to say “Help me, I don’t understand!” Often we don’t have the assistance and other resources for training or help. 

I am lucky, I work in a University setting where co-workers generally expect questions and, if I’m gutsy enough to admit my lack of knowledge, will take the precious time to explain.  I say “generally” because there are still times where you can see the shock or disbelief on someone’s face as I ask a question… they are wondering “How did she not know this already?”  We all have to start somewhere!

We are all masters of some topics and know nothing about other topics.  The only way to grow your brain is to ask questions or research the areas in which you lack comprehension. 

According to author Jack Mitchell, there are three levels of knowledge:
1. You know what you know.
2. You know what you don’t know.
3. You don’t know what you don’t know!

Number 3 scares me a bit.  There are so many subjects I don’t even know exist!  But in the meantime, I work on number 2 and seek information online and in books.  I generally try to help myself, unless the knowledge need is urgent, then I find an expert ASAP. 
Remember: there are resources out there…training workshops, webinars, Google and the guy who works down the hall!  Why not take the initiative at work to catalog everyone’s “expertise subjects” and “wish-they-knew-more subjects” and share them with fellow workers. 

Be the one who asks the questions for those who think they cannot.  Create a safe atmosphere for learning.  Create an environment of shared knowledge –

“Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.” Dalai Lama

The SBA offers great online training opportunities for small businesses.  Specifically there is a Technology 101 course that will provide some info on subjects you may need to expand on.  Don’t delay, train online today!  http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html