Thanks, Dori...I have questions back to you...please talk to me clearly and with only very basic tech writing and software knowledge assumed, 'cos I'm like a toddler opening up Dad's toolbox here...
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote on 09/26/2007 12:00:01 PM: > ----- Message from "Dori Green" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on > Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:26:59 -0400 ----- > Tim Mantyla wrote: > > My mission: create a user-friendly sales training manual. > **************** > > Audience = sales associates? How technology-savvy are they? Wide range...very to not at all. > Purpose = give them the info needed to present the product effectively? > (the sizzle that goes with the steak)? Purpose: provide sale staff a reference for the core competencies needed to do their jobs well. They are going to need a great training program, not only a manual to refer to. > Output format? PDF or HTML? Interactive via links for diving in to > more detail about a feature? Mostly interactive/online. People will print as needed, work thru online, we hope. Could become interactive w/ videos, screen captures, etc. later on...far in the not-so-certain future. > Should pretty much be a piece of cake. I'd set it up as a Wiki, myself, > with the caveat not to abuse this audience by having them replace your > testing crew. I would make it accessible only to limited subscribers, Testing crew...? You must be assuming this company has devoted some resources to this. I'm IT! Creator, developer, tester, writer, and maybe some help from people who wrote a few software user instructions for Epicor's Vantage, which has confused staff and slowed their productivity (and which I would recommend only to my enemies for its confusatory, cumbersome CRM, interface, many other problems!). Currently there is no training plan, let alone a solid outline for the manual. This floatiness is very confusing and frustrating. I'm a jazz player with nary a defined bass line to improvise on at this point! (I am a musician, too...hope you all get the metaphor...you need structure within which to roam is the idea. I'm building the bass line myself, and it keeps moving around because I can't get all the answers I need, because there is no defined training plan or training organizer/manager with any time or mandate to do it.) Plus I don't know Wiki from Madcap from my kneecap...except the Wikipedia, which I love. Exaggerating here...I'm a writer w/ some technical ability, not a software guy...yet. > not open to everybody on the Internet. It will need constant updating, probably by designated sales or IT staff. Me if I'm lucky enough to be hired (I'm a temp, no plans for hire yet). Most of the sales staff are hardcore, just want to sell and NOTHING else! One third won't even give me input on what they'd like to see in the manual/reference. For many reasons. What software could do this? HAT like Flare or Robohelp? MS Word? Frontpage or other HTML authoring tool? Would an open-source CMS do this? Is that what AuthorIT is, a CMS? Why on the internet? Maybe you're assuming we have more than one location...we have two close-by buildings. It's been suggested to use a company intranet. I'm confused about how this works, though the IT people here can clue me. What platform does it sit on? Like a web site sits on a server. Does the Wiki do that? Reading between the lines...a Wiki because then staff could update the procedures themselves? Input with little management time/direction? Not sure that would work in this company... > Support the Wiki with expert > responses to their questions and other precious feedback in a timely > fashion that proves Management's understanding of the value of this > feedback. On board w/ that! Whatever the format, I'd shoot for that. > This "manual" can become an incredible tool for team building and > engagement of the sales force -- and the customers! What fun you are > going to have! > > Dori Green I hope so! ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
