A new software program requires time and energy from the user to get to know and work with it. These tips will help you shorten your learning curve:
1.Don't be passive, but take action!
We remember...
20% of the information we only hear
50% when we hear it and see it
70% when we say it out loud
90% when we say it out loud AND do it
That means following a software demo, watching an instructional video or reading a manual is not going to help you much. They are the first steps, but after that, you really need to take action. Say what you want to accomplish with the software and implement it!
2.Practice with real-world examples and data
Make sure that the exercises in the software are appealing to you. The topics of the exercise material and the data used should match what you will do with the software in practice. Perform step-by-step processes that you will also encounter in everyday use.
3.Choose the right time to practice
Allow yourself time and rest to learn new software. Reserve several hours at a time so that you can work undisturbed and uninterrupted. Also, choose a time when your brain is active and alert. This is necessary to absorb new information. If you spend a few hours working with the software in the morning after a good night's sleep, you will remember more than you will on Friday afternoon after a busy work week.
4.Consultation with colleagues
If you run into a problem in the software, look for the solution yourself first. You learn more by solving an issue yourself than by looking up the answer right away. And know that you are not alone; don't hesitate to enlist the help of colleagues. Two know more than one and a fresh perspective on a problem can be very valuable.
Of course, there is always the software vendor you can contact. Avoid frustrations with the software, there is a solution for every problem.
Philip van Kemenade is a marketer at Dysel and has daily contact with end users of software.
