Purchasing

Mary Walker

New learning tools
March 29, 2007

Hagemeyer got this great learning center on our computers. Now I like questions that are right or wrong, black or white, no in between. Programs like self improvement; Getting Your Message Across, Making Your Time Count, and Overcoming Procrastinations drove me crazy. Your answer was like a stop light, it could be red, yellow or green. If you were totally wrong you were red, if you were half right, you were yellow, and if you were just real good you were green. If you were in the yellow the answer was not all that bad, however it was not the very best answer. Give me a break. How many of us would answer a question the same way. I am all for training and in fact I did so much, I got in trouble for doing too many.

You need to remember that I was after the big computer training in school. I have had to pick this up as on the job training. One time at Briggs-Weaver, when I actually had a cubicle, I mean small cubicle, I had three desk top computers in this one little area. The IT people told me the computers would not talk to each other. Now there are some people that I really don’t care to talk to but would you think this would apply to computers.

BW sent us all to Comp USA computer classes. I thought I was an expert. I could just follow that instructor all through the class with no problem. Just try doing it on your own. Makes a big difference. Pay close attention as this is important. Learn how to become a wiz at computer programs.

Purchasing agents and buyers don’t just buy product. What is it they say that you are the master of your inventory. Being the master you need to know how many days on hand of inventory you have, how many turns you are getting, what hasn’t moved in three months, which means you need to learn to run and manipulate data.

The supply chain covers an area of acquiring materials to getting it to the end user. Whether you work in manufacturing, distribution, the logistic area, you need to be able to determine your results. Everyone has to have goals and goals need to be measurable.

Recently there was an article in our local newspaper, evaluating the benefit of a college education versus the cost. The article stated that most people do not work in the field in which their degree is in. That is one of the reasons that professional organizations and certifications are so important. I went to a negotiation seminar last week put on by Robert Menard. His question to the class was how many of you when playing in your sand box as a child decided that you were going to be a buyer. All kids want to be a teacher, fireman or policeman. None of us thought about being a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.). Be sure you put the periods in there are people will think you are a certified professional midwife.

My mother always said what you learn belongs to you. No one can take that away from you. I have never been a person that is content in just going to work every day and coming home. With the opportunities offered thru the internet, you can take a class online and never have to leave home. Think about it. What great opportunities we have available to us.

Advances in technology are changing how people access data. We are living in an Internet Revolution that will have major impact on the lives of people. Personal computers (PCs) are the front-runners; they serve as a lifeline for some and a vital household tool for others. In many ways, however the emerging technology is compelling Extension practitioners to compete with private enterprise and other educational institutions. Unlike synchronous and site-based learning, people can use e-learning tools wherever they are “24-7” year round. Among other things, the products can be “edutaining” for many learners. When reading this article by Robert D. Williamson and Ellen P. Smoak, I really thought they could not spell. My spell checker does not even approve “edutaining.”When the term education is combined with entertainment, the term edutainment is coined. Edutainment also called “e-learning” are new methods and practices that enabled learning in faster, more efficient and more entertaining ways.

Electronic technology is revolutionizing how we learn, entertain ourselves, communicate, do our jobs and much more. Today, nearly everyone has something to say about e-learning.

The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) on line dictionary describes e-learning as a term that covers applications and processes such as Web-and computer-based learning and virtual classrooms. It also includes the delivery of multimedia content via CD-ROMs, DVDs, the Internet, audio-and videotapes, satellite broadcasts, interactive TV, and more. These are learning tools that many people currently use. The choice is simple: either you accept e-learning and adopt it or risk becoming obsolete in your learning processes.

Posted by Mary Walker on March 29, 2007 | Comments (0)