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Getting Managers to Get It!
by Elliott Masie

Getting managers to get it is a great challenge in the world of computer training. "It" is the value of training, the need for learning investments and the implications of non-training. Most managers don't get it. Most managers have never really thought about it. And, most managers are not paid to get it.

Let's be honest. The majority of computer training efforts are not even on the radar screen of most business unit managers. They know that their people need to be trained. They will even encourage people to get training. However, in the end, their performance evaluation rarely includes the use of technology. So, it is an optional level of concern.

Imagine if an organization really took computer literacy seriously. Imagine if they understood the impacts of the costs of ownership. Feel their commitment to lower the costs of support. And, sense their desire to encourage managers to support the learning process. What if, in this organization, there was a single line on the performance review of every manager that read: "To what extent does the manager develop the technical abilities of their staff to leverage the technology within the organization?" Wow. Things might change. Their managers would ask about the training, learning and skill building approaches. They would find that bonuses could be acquired by getting higher levels of skill documented in their staff. They would become an agent of learning, rather than a point of approval. Managers focus on where they are reviewed and compensated. If we are serious about the process of building workforce technical literacy we need to make it an item on the review processes of our management teams.

While I am on the topic of managers, there is another thorn in our side. We really do need to develop training for managers on technology. I just got off of the phone with a major financial services organization looking at the ways in which they could encourage their managers to be more involved with technology. One of the obvious missing elements was courses for managers. I scoured the net and could find very few management level briefings that prepare our leaders to be knowledgeable leaders of technology use. Look for a course on the internet for line managers. There are no places for an individual to learn how to lead others in the use of the technology. They don't need to or want to learn macro development. They want to learn how the technology can be used in their businesses to create productivity, profitability and better service. Look for a course on client server technology that addresses those issues.

Management level technology training is all about the integration of computers into the business. Let's add those to our training offerings. The net result will be managers that understand the impact and value of technology. And, we will see the role of training in getting there. Then, they might get "it".

© The Masie Center (www.masie.com)

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