MyCareerCoach.net

Recently, I noticed, the tightening of Corporate America’s belt has thrown  business development and sales professionals into a state of anxiety.Once charged with revenue production, a sales professional must add technology skills to a resume that is heavily studded with terms such as business development, cold calling, sales negotiation and contract closing.

My neighbor recently cried to me that she was not sure what she was going to do because she had come to rely on sales assistants and other members of the sales support team to do things like writing a letter and tracking her accounts in the company’s database. In her new position she is responsible for handling both the front and back end of the sales process. Failure to become tech savvy  may cost her her job.  Should she she increase both her skill set she will increase her marketability.

If you are someone who prefers to work with people as opposed to things there are a few things that you need to know about the new technology:

1. Accept it, technology has become the backbone of most successful organizations.
2. If you can operate the ATM machine at your bank, you have proven you know how to operate a computer.
3. Face your fears. What is it about operating a computer that frightens you the most? What can you do about it? What will you do about it?
4. Almost every adult education program, local library and college offers classes in technology. Find one and register. It will help you expand your skills and increase your network as well.
5. Get individual support. Invest in hiring a computer trainer to come to your home or office.
6. Sharpen your skills by signing up for an online course.
7. Focus on what you do know and build on it.
8. www.dummies.com provides easy-to-follow tutorials for independent learners. Click on the “see all topics” menu on the home page for a topic that is of interest to you.
9. Switch to a Mac. They are much easier to use and are less likely to get a virus then a PC. Classes are held at most Apple store