Digital Literacy, First Principles, Everyone is a customer.

So… I write a tech-ish newsletter. I clearly have an interest in new software and using technology as leverage. I still would not consider myself to be THE BEST. I am better than average, and this statistic really makes this relevant:

Only 30 percent of the Canadian population is currently “very prepared with workplace digital skills,” and this number is expected to drop to 23 percent within the next five years as technology continues to evolve. (Salesforce Launches Global Digital Skills Index: In-Depth Insights From 23,000 Workers –Salesforce, 2022)

I was chatting with an IT compadre, and he was like, “No, you are amazing with computers,” and I was like, “Hmm. I don’t think so…”

But everything is relative. From his perspective, I can troubleshoot 80% or more of my own problems and am a resident expert in our ERP software. I’d like to figure out SQL and PowerBi to radically transform everything!

I also paused for a moment and thought about how, 10 years ago, I did not feel ahead of people; 10 years ago, I didn’t know how to use Excel. But recently I have started to notice that basic know-how seems to be dropping.

I cannot help but wonder if people, on average, have stopped using and learning about computers!

So, in honor of sharpening the basics, here are some links that will transform you from meh to wow.

Type Testing: This may seem stupid, but please I beg you, learn the keyboard.

Also super easy skill to just have. Also, learn the number pad, particularly if you are in any kinda number-crunching job.

Lastly on the keyboard rant, learn the short cuts. People won’t see it coming.

Play with your computer, poke around all the options and the control panel. Know the 3 ways to do anything (there may be more).

Be safe out there.

Skill up, there are so many ways, with Udemy, SkillShare, Coursera, Google, there are free and paid ways to learn.

The easiest way, is going to be finding something you are interested to encourage (naturally) a desire to use the systems.

Good Luck!

Ah… This has to the most obvious mental model on the planet, and because Elon talks about it, its a fad now, ya know?

But… If I had one piece of advice to give to someone who wanted to know how to learn, how to solve problems, and how to become the person people go to for answers— it would understand this mental model.

It should be obvious, but it’s not, or rather it does not seem to be.

Nothing in business is hard. It’s simple, not easy. When you know the result you want and can reverse engineer the problem, you are halfway there. THe other half of the equation is knowing the fundamentals, the immovable objects or constraints.

Problem-solving is just one big logic puzzle. You need to define the factual, hard information first, then work your way toward the less secure, soft information.

Learning the first principles within a discipline will help you to know what your constraints are.

Your world will transform when you start treating people like they are your customers (even when they aren’t).

First, you have to consider, what you are delivering to them, your non-customer, customer?

I offer my employees support through training, problem-solving techniques, coaching for career growth, a shoulder to cry on, and a cheerleader. I firmly believe that I am only successful so long as I am making myself obsolete by making them better than I was.

To my managers, I offer support by doing my job well, responding in a timely manner, asking questions when I don’t understand, and actively learning on my own.

Treat everyone who asks something of you as a customer; if you don’t know the answer, tell them you will get back to them rather than just redirect (this gets you more knowledge), and you will be known as the problem solver. Extra tip: do it fast, speed is king. Along with cash. Pair of kings those two.

I digress. Doing this puts a lens on everything you do to serve people, recognizing that organizations are successful not because of one person but a team of people fulfilling a vision.

What do you think, is everyone a customer?