About the Author

The four most important contributors to successful training are knowledge, experience, passion, and an understanding of the learning process.

Knowledge
My specialty is technical training. The certification exams from Microsoft are well known for their challenging nature and indicate a high level of knowledge for each application. I earned the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) for Windows XP and the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) for Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

In addition to my Microsoft certifications, I have also earned CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications. A+ technicians are known for their thorough understanding of PC hardware and operating systems. Network+ administrators have a solid grasp of cross-platform network implementation and support.

Experience
I entered my first training position as a squad leader of a 4.2-inch mortar crew in the United States Mechanized Infantry. I was responsible, as are all squad leaders, for the training of my squad in infantry skills in general and their military occupational specialty in particular. During gunnery competition my squad often took first place.

Having earned an Expert Infantry Badge, I also trained other soldiers pursuing the same goal. As an EIB trainer, I was assigned to train deployment of the claymore anti-personnel mine. In previous years the passing rate of that particular task was less than fifty percent. I decided to do it differently from the Army’s approach, unbeknownst to my superiors, and the passing rate jumped to over eighty percent. Some of the officers came to me and asked how I had done it. Not having followed Army protocol, I was reluctant to say anything and downplayed my evident success. At the time, I was not even sure why my approach worked so well.

After leaving the Army, I returned to college to earn a degree in computer science. While attending college, I entered a training program offered by a technical consulting & training company. In exchange for training intended to hone my programming skills, I agreed to accept job placement of the company’s choice. Having completed the course, the consulting & training company decided to leverage my contract to fill a soft skills trainer’s position for their company. I soon realized I enjoyed training much more than programming computers. I then revamped the company's soft skills course to a track preparing students for CompTIA’s A+ PC technician certification.

The consulting company tanked. I joined a small banking corporation in the Midwest as a senior trainer. There I trained bank employees in standardized workstation and specialized banking software as well as other aspects of the banking industry. I also developed electronic and printed support materials for users at all levels of expertise.

Downsized from the bank, I decided to start my own business as an independent training contractor. I have since delivered material for five training companies and three colleges in the Chicago area.

I have delivered training material to a wide range of audiences. My students have ranged in age from teenagers to seventies. I have trained people at all levels of the corporate structure, from entry-level employees to corporate CEOs. The technical level of my students has ranged from novices to network administrators. I have tutored individuals and delivered material to groups as large as 30 students.

Passion
I've heard it said that if you like your work then it's like you're not working. In that case, I haven't worked in years. I am a trainer / teacher because I truly enjoy seeing others learn. This is my passion.

Understanding the Learning Process
I have been fortunate to receive one-on-one training from two of the best trainers I have ever seen. I have attended the ASTD train-the-trainer seminar and Vignettes for Training workshop for blended online and classroom learning. I have also conducted substantial research on my own.

Training experts take into account the different learning styles that students possess. Recognizing a student's particular learning style enables a trainer to communicate with, and ultimately train a student more effectively. To maximize effectiveness, every training session delivered should incorporate methods that address all learning styles.

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