While it’s true that some things in our lives have gotten more complicated with the advent of technology, it’s also true that we can accomplish more and be better organized through the use of certain technologies. Try some of these technological tools for yourself and see if they don’t make your life a little easier.

Survey Tools

Survey tools allow you to quickly gather information from managers, employees, or people outside your organization that might assist you in the creation of training programs. Two free online survey tools are available from:

www.Zoomerang.com
www.SurveyMonkey.com

Research Tools

Of course the Internet is a wonderful research tool, but the results can be overwhelming. Try www.Pluck.com - an add-on to your existing browser. Pluck allows you to conduct searches of the internet and newswires, by key word or phrase, retrieve the results in one window and view them in another – so that you never have to navigate away from your browser page in order to view search results. Pluck also allows you to create “perches” which are on-going searches. A perch will “troll” the internet for you, even when your browser is not running, and continue to retrieve new results that meet your perch criteria. The new results will be added to your perch folder for viewing at your convenience.

Google offers a number of “specialty” searches which can help you to laser target your Internet searches. Try:

images.google.com to find photos and clipart for inclusion in your training materials.

news.google.com for up-to-date news stories which may affect your topic.

scholar.google.com for references associated with academic papers and research.

And Define:word in the Google search field (such as, Define:cost center), when you need the “official” definition of a word or term.

Printing / Reproduction

The following services allow you to work right up to the last moment and still have professional materials ready for your training sessions.

Mimeo (www.Mimeo.com) or FedEx Kinkos will print and bind materials from your own files. Each service will deliver to your door (or a remote training location) by the next day, so long as your order is received in time (which is usually well after what you might consider “business hours”).

Quantum Copy (www.QuantumCopy.com) and VistaPrint (www.VistaPrint.com) allow you to create colorful, graphically designed marketing materials for your training programs via their easy to navigate, on-line templates.

Instructional Design Software

These instructional design software packages help you to create professional materials with minimal effort: Langevin Instructional DesignWare (www.Langevin.com), LeaderGuide Pro by Great Circle Learning (www.GCLearning.com), and Designer’s Edge by Allen Communication Learning Services (www.allencomm.com).

Miscellaneous “Cool” Tools

Each of these tools will assist you in better organizing your roles and responsibilities:

On Project (www.onproject.com) is a web-based project management service that allows you to manage multiple projects, deliverables, and the input from many contributors. Affordable monthly subscription fee.

If you like “physical” sticky-notes, you’ll love these computer based Stickies that stay right on your computer desktop. Freeware. (www.zhornsoftware.co.uk)

Dragon Naturally Speaking, IBM ViaVoice, or iListen (Macintosh) Voice dictation software takes an hour or two to acclimate to your voice, but can save you hundreds of future-hours by allowing you to dictate your training materials, e-mail, instant messages and more.

Microsoft OneNote 2003 (www.microsoft.com/office/onenote/) allows you to make lists and keep notes in various folders that you set up the way you want them to work.

You Send It. This web-based site allows you to send large files that are too big to transmit via “regular” email. Great for sending files to yourself at home. Free. (www.YouSendIt.com).