In today’s technologically advanced world, it is vital that all leaders build their IT skills even if they are not engineers.
So you want to have more tech savvy?
With so many amazing resources available online and growing confidence in technology, there has never been a better time to learn something new. Maybe you want to expand your reach and turn your brick and mortar business into an e-commerce business; perhaps you need to develop new job skills or career goals; or, perhaps you want to use technology to make life easier and more enjoyable.
Whatever the reason, skills such as programming, games, design and other online applications and processes can be improved with your self-directed education. As the COO of a growing business, I wanted to have technology experts to help with our web design, social media pages and content creation. Determined to do that, I learned that anyone can develop the skills that will help them both professionally and personally.
Here are five ways to start a process:
Check Incentives and Current Performance Information Level
Once you understand why you are encouraged to learn more about technology, it is time to explore your knowledge and identify areas where you can improve. For example, are you interested in building your website because you want to be involved in the process of updating it as your business grows? Or, do you like planning because it can help you work more effectively with program planners if you want to measure your business?
Since I have always been interested in computers, I have had a good working experience for many devices. I also became an avid internet buyer and app lover. However, what I did not have were web skills or app development. This place is very interesting because I often work with independent developers and I want to better understand their work.
Divide the Learning Process into Practical Steps
With so many opportunities available, it is easy to get ahead of you. As an avid reader, I want to immerse everything in technology as quickly as possible. However, taking a quick course like this will not benefit you or your colleagues.
The best way is to break the learning process into smaller, more practical steps. First, search for available information about the type of technology you are interested in. This could be books, articles or blog posts. Second, learn what is involved in reading it. If you need help understanding it, the third step is to find a professional who will help you. Fourth, if possible, take an online course or collect tutorials. Fifth, practice using it for a while until you are free to incorporate it into your business.
By breaking the process down, there is a better chance it will stick in your mind. Also, you will have more time to think about how you can apply it to your business or personal life. When I wanted to do it and know it all, I had to start with just one aspect, such as web development and application, which separated us greatly from the type of programs I wanted to learn. After mastering one language, I moved on to the next.
Join the Online Technology Community (and offline).
In the technology industry, there are thousands of communities online, comprising programmers, engineers, and other like-minded people. Some of the forums I found useful in my technical learning StackExchange and Reddit. You can ask professional questions and get tips to help you understand how certain technologies can be used. I also asked questions about Quora and worked with engineers and programmers on GitHub. Going to personal gatherings is also a good idea.
Take a Free Online Coding Class
Learning to code is never more accessible. There are places all over the internet that will teach you how to write code for free, using different tools and teaching methods. Whether you are looking to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby or other programming languages, there is something at all levels of skill.
Do Something With Your Hands
If you have a few skills under your belt, it’s time to see what you can do. After I took an online course, I got information from my instructors about how I could go online to exercise for free. With some of the information I gained, I also jumped into WordPress to see if I could apply some HTML skills to the blog and website.
In some places, you can try to create a simple 2D game on Github using Processing, magic movie on iMovie, or build a page with InDesign. Aside from the small talk in the network discussion or dinner party, I would recommend that you share this experience in your resume or interview because it shows some skill in action that a future employer might want.
Keep reading
With the advancement of technology, the learning curve will never disappear. When you think about it, though, that is very exciting. There is always something new to learn and apply that can make your business, your career or your personal life more enjoyable.
