Training on the Edgeof Change

Michael Roberts, The Arizona Republic

Change: Information Center

The Arizona Republic

+

azcentral.com

Why train?

• Survival• Help manage change• Morale and retention• Establish training role• Serve readers

Why train?

Working in groups today

Training on the edge

Dance, dance, dance

Training on the edge

Deconstruct: Evaluate new job expectations

Assess: Gauge staff skills against new jobs

Navigate: Programs, time, numbers of people

Conceive: Develop content; pre- and post-training

Evaluate: Test programs; adjust, train, adjust, train

Dance, dance, dance

Test ride

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

DeconstructAssessNavigateConceiveEvaluate

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

Deconstruct

1. List skills required for task

2. Group skills into 60-90 min. programs

Task 1: Deconstruct

Training Matrix: Required training

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

DeconstructAssess

1. Create a simple grid, skills listeddown the left, group names acrossthe top

2. Identify who has which skills

Task 2: Assess

Skill / training survey

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

DeconstructAssessNavigate

1. Imagine a newsroom with 45 reportersto train

2. How many digital photo classes will ittake to train everyone, and over whatperiod of time?

Task 3: Navigate

Training Matrix: Programs

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

DeconstructAssessNavigateConceive

1. Write learning objectives for a classon taking good mug shots

2. Outline a 60-90 min. class withexercises

Task 4: Conceive

Mug Shot, Portrait Class

5 min: Welcome and introduction

15 min: Tour camera, take four mug shots

10 min: Review mug shots

15 min: Discuss standards for good mugs / portraits

15 min: Take four more mug shots and portraits

15 min: Review mug shots and portraits

10 min: Questions; general photo concerns

Republic programs, spring 2007

• Writing, Editing Online

• Multimedia 101

• Online 1: Basics

• Online 2: Producers

• Photo Editing Online

• Shooting Digital Photos

• Processing Digital Photos

• Building Slide Shows

• Shooting, Editing Video

• Working in Teams

• Communication

• Sources of Authority

• Print Values Online

• Online audiences

Mobile reporter

Mobile reporter: Responsible for shooting basic digitalphotos and uploading them into the photo system asstandalone photos or slide shows.

DeconstructAssessNavigateConceiveEvaluate

1. Discuss how you could hold a test runof the class

2. List how you will evaluate the class

Task 5: Evaluate

Evaluation

Shadow

Ask for feedback

Check with supervisors

Follow-up programs

Progress meeting

Results vs goals

1. Always use a tripod unless youabsolutely can't. And just in case you can't,learn to brace your arms and use your bodyas a tripod. If you can't use a tripod, try toseek out a fence or a construction barrier ora bumper or anything else around you thatmight be a little bit steady.

2. Listen to what's around you. Think action,reaction.

3. The wireless mic is your best friend. Ifyou're not using it to do an interview, turn iton anyway and attach it to the camera -- it'llpick up more natural sound.

Things to watch out for…

Things to watch out for…

• Missing standards

• Emerging workflows

• Emerging training needs

• Short-term wins to celebrate

• Skills + Systems + People

• Faith in content

"The music business, as a whole, has lostits faith in content. Only 10 years ago,companies wanted to make records,presumably good records, and see if theysold. But panic has set in, and now it's nolonger about making music, it's all abouthow to sell music. And there's no clearanswer about how to fix that problem.But I still believe that the top priority atany record company has to be coming upwith great music.”

-- David Geffen