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Subject:Re: Technical Trainers who are also SMEs From:Lane Pasut <Larissa -dot- Pasut -at- OMEGARESEARCH -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 19 Apr 1999 11:01:58 -0400
In my experience (my responsibilities have also overlapped documentation and
training), it is very difficult (virtually impossible) to turn an SME into a
trainer (unless there's that potential and interest there already).
Instead, I searched long and hard and found existing users of our software
(investment analysis) who were both industry and training experts, and
contracted them as product training specialists (and pay them well!).
Otherwise, you end up short-changing the customer. The training is
ineffective and the customers are left impressed with both the company and
the software.
I also found that industry and training experience count more than expertise
in the software. It's easier to teach the software than
presentation/training skills. In my case, we're teaching a lay audience. My
2 cents.
