A 20 Year Old Promise...That I Still Plan to Keep!!!

20 Years Later...Where am I Now?

20 years ago, May 1995, was a very important time for me as it was the first time that I appeared in a nationally renowned magazine, Entrepreneur, in an article entitled "Head Start - Entrepreneurial programs give today's youth a competitive edge" written by Cynthia E. Griffin [that's me in the article photo].  I remember the photo shoot like it was yesterday, and one of the questions that I was asked during the shoot.  "Where will you be in 20 years?"  

This all came about after coming across a copy of the magazine and making me think about my current business aspirations as it relates to this article and more importantly to the response that I gave which was a truly optimistic and naive response..."semi-retired...working 4 hours a day doing the two things that I love to do; working with computers and helping people"  “I think I will reach that goal by the time I turn 35 years old.” 

Some may say that I have actually reached the goal that I set for myself, however it is not the way that I initially envisioned it.  Of course, being 25 years old, I was filled with high aspirations for myself and did not see any limit to the success that I would be able to achieve in 20 years; especially after the success that I had already experienced during the first four years of pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors. 

I just turned 45 years old [which is not always guaranteed these days – so I chose to celebrate it like it was my 25^th birthday]; I have started a new business where I will be working with computers with a mission of helping individuals (novice and beginner users) to become more efficient, effective, and productive users of technology and computers; and I ONLY “work” about 4 hours a day. Not because I am semi-retired, but because I am currently dealing with health issues that at best allow me to concentrate and use computers between 3-4 hours a day before taking a toll on me mentally and physically.  So you see I have reached the goal I set forth 20 years ago, just not in the way that I initially thought I would.  Not to mention the obstacles that “Life” itself can put in one’s way as her or she pursues their personal goals.  I won’t get into that right now even though it has played a very important role into the delaying the time frame for achieving my entrepreneurial endeavors originated from this article in May of 1995.

That being said, I have decided to use the 20^th anniversary of this article as motivation to set new goals, based on those from this article, new strategies and a clearer more defined story of success to be told in 2025.  So put on your seat belts and enjoy the ride.

Click here to read the article as a PDF file.

To learn more about TAB Training & Consulting, LLC, 

please visit my web site at www.tabtraining.com

TABKeys - June 2015 [Volume 01, Issue 01]

Check out the 1st Quarterly Issue of 
TABKeys for 2015

(June 2015 - Volume 01, Issue 01)

Click here to view/print a copy of the entire newsletter as a PDF File

We often hear the words "Microsoft Office Suite" and most of us know what is meant by it.  Some of us have used programs like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook as employees of companies on an everyday basis; but how many of us are able to identify the other key applications associated with the Microsoft Office Suite of applications that perform a variety of tasks in the workplace.  There are programs like Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft OneNote that are somewhat unknown or unfamiliar as they are considered to be "specialty" applications with specific purposes.

Take a look at my latest newsletter, TABKeys [June 2015-Volume 01-Issue 01], which is now available for viewing to learn more about what I call "The 7 Categories of Desktop Software" and the Microsoft Office Suite applications associated with each category.  There is a brief description of each of the Microsoft Suite applications covered in the newsletter.

Throughout the remainder of the year, TAB Training & Consulting, LLC will be providing information via this blog and frequently sponsored webinars to help promote these applications in the hopes that individuals will begin to use such programs to become more efficient, effective and productive users of technology.  Stay Tuned!

For more information about the services offered by TAB Training & Consulting, LLC and facilitated by Troy A. Burgher, please visit www.tabtraining.com or complete the following request for information form by clicking here.

A Newsletter for Novice & Beginner Users

TABKeys

Quarterly Newsletter on Tech(nology) Literacy

Promotional Issue

is Now Available

TABKeys will feature information on technology and computer literacy that is designed for novice and beginner users of technology and computers. Please take a look at my promotional issue of TABKeys which features articles on:

• - The five basic components of a computer system
• - Things to consider for your next purchase (of a computer system - desktop, laptop or tablet)
• - A sample computer system advertisement
• - A chart that can be used to determine which Microsoft Office package (Office 365 or Office 2013) best suits your application needs.

Promotional Issue - May 2015

Click here to view/print a copy of the entire newsletter as a PDF File

The "Swag" returns to TAB Training & Consulting, LLC in June 2015

June 2015 Motivation

"Don't Wait for Opportunity to Knock...

Build New Doors!"

Check out what's new @
TAB Training and Consulting, LLC
this month!

"Pass the Word" is a monthly bulletin of events
sponsored by TAB Training & Consulting, LLC

Click HERE to view/print this bulletin as a PDF

Tis the Season to Purchase Computers and other Technology Gadgets

During this time of year, in the past, I was asked the following question quite a bit, "Which computer should I buy?"  Now the question is a bit different and it sounds like this, "Which desktop, laptop, or tablet should I buy?

This question used to take about 5-10 minutes to answer...now it still takes 5-10 minutes to answer...and you thought my answer was going to change, right (LOL).

The reason is that my response is still the same, however the person asking the question today has to do a bit more research to address my response...fortunately we have the Internet and Google searching to help us complete our research.

So let's take a look at my response that has not changed over time, even though technology has changed dramatically over the past 10 years.

Question:  "Which desktop, laptop, or tablet, should I buy?

Response: First ask yourself these four questions.  I know you are not supposed to answer a question with a question but it works here.

Q. 1] How much are you willing to spend (your budget) on this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 1] I am able to spend between $400-$500 dollars on a new laptop .  I want a laptop because I need the portability of bringing it on business trips, as a tool for conducing presentations at off-site meetings and when I stop by a coffee shop for lunch

Q. 2] What is the intended reason/purpose for the purchase of this piece of equipment?

Sample A. 2] I need an updated laptop that will allow me to run the newest version of Microsoft Office.  I will be using the laptop to start my new business and to conduct meetings that will be held at the prospects/clients locations.  The laptop will need to be able to handle multiple applications open at the same time without slowing down how it works and to easily be able to pick up Free Wi-Fi connections (like at coffee shops).

Q. 3] Do you have a preferred brand that you are comfortable with purchasing this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 3]  My preferred brand is Dell as I already have other devices from that vendor and I am comfortable from having used them at previous places of employment.

Q 4] Are you willing to invest a little research time into making an informed and prepared decision about the purchase of this new piece of equipment?

Sample A. 4] I am a person that always does research before making a decision on any investments that I make.  I check for customer comments; I check for brand/make/model rankings from customer-friendly product advocates (i.e. CNET)

You are probably saying to yourself that this seems to be a complicated response to such a simple question.  However, such a decision deserves this type of effort as the purchase of such equipment should be viewed as an investment that is being made by you toward a specific goal in mind.

For example, "I am purchasing this piece equipment for child entering into college"; "This piece of equipment will help my 5th grader do his/her homework"; "I need to be able to track my daily expenses using this MYPF Financial Tool that I just heard about"; etc...

If you treat your next technology purchase as an investment toward a particular goal or set of goals (such as the needs for the entire family), you will be pleasantly surprised by what you will get in return from your investment.

The Return of Professor TAB...My Story (reposted)

Hello All,

My name is Professor TAB or Troy Anthony Burgher; otherwise known as the “Accidental Social-preneur of technology training” (I’ll share more about that later).  I am a former resident of the New York City Housing Development and that is where it all began!  Little did I know that I was about to embark on a journey that would become my career and life’s mission!  

It all started one hot summer afternoon after playing basketball with a few of my friends from the neighborhood.  Standing in front of the local community center stood a very distinguished gentleman wearing a suit and passing out flyers.  I am not sure what caught my eye the most…was it the fact that some unknown person was passing out flyers or that the individual was wearing a suit in 100 degree weather?  

So, I left my friends to inquire and to satisfy my curiosity.  I asked the gentleman why he was passing out flyers and he informed me that it was to announce a new business program at the local community center.  He mentioned that it was a course that taught people how to become business owners and entrepreneurs.  I am sure that I heard of the word entrepreneur before, but asked the gentleman to explain what it meant.  He proceeded to tell me that it was simply an individual that went into business to sell a product or service rather than with partners or employees; a kind of one-person operation.  The gentleman would also go on to state that the class taught people how to make money doing something that they like to do, like a hobby, but would get paid for the things they sold or services they offered.  We talked for about 30 minutes and he invited me into the center to meet the instructor (and business owner) of the training program to talk more about the class and to see if I would register.  It was really a no brainer…once the gentleman mentioned that I could make money doing something that I like to do, like one of my hobbies, all I needed to know was where to sign up.

We proceeded to enter the community center where I would meet the instructor and owner of the business program. He was also dressed in a suite and shared more information about the program. Wow…two people in the middle of the center dressed in suits…that was a rarity in our community. 

I was a bit embarrassed as I was sitting there still sweating from playing basketball just 30 minutes before meeting both gentlemen.  Wishing I had showered and changed my clothes before entering the community center.  I could tell he was able to see how uncomfortable I was and reassured me that everything was OK.  He appreciated the fact that I stopped by and did not let that stop me from inquiring about the business program.

We continued our conversation, discussing my hobbies and how they could be developed into a potential business.  At the time I was caught up in the world of “hip-hop” music and working with computers.  Imagine if I would have been able to combine, back in 1994, the two hobbies into one career…anyway, I shared how interested I was in the program and I signed up right on the spot.  The classes were held during the evening and the next one would occur later that night. So I had time to go home, take a short nap, eat and prepare for my first class on entrepreneurship.  I was very excited and anxious to begin learning how to make money doing what I loved to do (either with music or using computers).

PASS THE WORD - My November 2014 Monthly Bulletin of Business Events

Why wait until January 2015 to start something new?
Take advantage of my "End-of-Year" Special to begin
working on your personal finances for 2015
by learning Microsoft Excel TODAY!
Visit www.tabtraining.com for more information.

Click here to view and/or print the PDF version of my bulletin above.

PASS THE WORD - September 2014 Monthly Bulletin of Events

School's back...do you have some extra time on your hands?
Why not take time for yourself and learn more about
your computer/laptop or a Microsoft Office application?

Click here to view the PDF version of the bulletin above.

Pass the Word - August 2014 Monthly Bulletin

Get out of the heat and enjoy something COOL like learning
how to achieve success through Technology Literacy! 

Click here to view the PDF version of the bulletin above.

Conquer your fear and anxiety of technology and computers!

Are you frustrated with technology and computers?  Do you want to become a more efficient, effective, and productive user of technology and computers?  Contact me to learn more about TABTutors for individuals...contact me about TABTraining for community-based organizations...contact me about TABVirtual for entrepreneurs and business owners.  I provide simple and applicable solutions using Microsoft Office applications to relieve the stress and anxiety associated with technology and computers.

Contact me TODAY for a free consultation!

Email: info@tabtraining.com

Phone: 704-490-6143

or

Click here to fill out a short form

Technology Literacy…Is Still a Very Important Skill Set in the Workplace!

An Excerpt from 7/13/14 TABRadio Broadcast

Technology & Computers for the Beginner/Novice User

"Since January of 2014, I have gone on a personal and professional quest to research the importance of technology literacy in the workplace...and it truly amazes me how individuals today still take for granted the importance and necessity of technology literacy skills in the workplace. I came across article after article about the importance of being computer literate in the workplace, the importance of basic computer skills and the importance of computers skills as an office professional.  Therefore I am re-focusing my training & consulting efforts to educate individuals on how to become more efficient, effective and productive users of technology with a strong focus on the Microsoft Office Suite applications.  After-all, how can you ignore this statistic….according to Microsoft, 1.1 billion people (or 1 in 7 people on the planet) use Microsoft Office.  Today’s broadcast will discuss how the very applications that sit on desktops at many places of work offer individuals more options and a greater ability to become successful employees in the workplace…the catch is enhance one’s technology skill sets, identify the issues and obstacles they face, and to begin integrating these new skills sets with the experience each individual possesses to minimize, if not, eliminate these obstacles.

I am starting with the workplace during this broadcast and I will discuss how to achieve e-squared-p at home, professionally, and academically on future broadcasts." 

Click here to listen to the 30-minute broadcast

Send an email to info@tabtraining.com
for a FREE 30-minute consultation

Using Technology to Increase Human Capital

A 2010 New Years Resolution Webinar - Start off on the right foot!

Now that 2010 is upon us - how are your New Year’s Resolutions coming along? Did you write them down and started carrying them out. May I suggest adding one more to your list, which is to use technology to increase your human capital? Increasing your human capital will allow you to take advantage of employment opportunities, career advancement and personal development. Attend this workshop and learn how technology can be a powerful tool in developing YOUR human capital.

Check out our upcoming workshop aimed at providing a general overview of technology literacy and how technology can be used to develop one's human capital. This workshop will also demonstrate that the tools for becoming more technology literate can usually be found right at our fingertips (our own personal computers) or within reasonable reach (computers at our place of work or the local library and coffee shop). We will examine how acquiring knowledge and/or certification as user of Microsoft Office Suite applications will assist us with reaching the goal of increased job opportunities, career advancement, switching careers, or pursuing the dream of becoming business owners (or trail-blazing entrepreneurs).

Is Technology Literacy Important to You?

Technology literacy is not just about knowing how to use technology for word-processing, spreadsheets, and Internet access. Fundamentally, it is efficiently and effectively utilizing computer and information systems to meet productive goals in a competitive environment. We live in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology. It is particularly important in this technological world that people understand and are comfortable with the concepts and workings of modern technology. From an individual's standpoint, people benefit both at work and at home by being able to choose the best products to meet their needs (e.g. tracking expenses, keeping a budget, list management or troubleshooting). Technology literacy is the ability to use, manage, and problem solve, using technology.

Ask yourself, "Am I a confident computer user?" People approach computers tentatively and with little confidence, even if they have been using computers for years. This paradox derives from the lack of true understanding of the technology. Most training programs concentrate on using the tools and less on applying those tools to actual processes and or problem solving. When something goes wrong or a new application is available, people with such backgrounds are at a loss to know what to do and often experience frustration. They find themselves in a situation where they must get help further adding to their feeling of anxiety and of not being in control. Usually the help they receive treats the immediate problem without imparting more basic knowledge thus perpetuating the problem.

This is where TAB Training & Consulting has developed a niche of providing technology workshops and training programs that help individuals learn technology to assist them with their daily professional and personal routines. It's more than knowing spreadsheets, word-processing and database programs. It is the knowledge gained on how to use these applications to become more efficient, effective and productive in today’s competitive society.

What is Technology?

Technology comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. It ranges from MP3 players, that we listen to our favorite songs on, to large screen (plasma, LCD or DLP) televisions that we enjoy to watch our favorite sports and movies. Technology also refers to the netbooks, "miniature" laptops that have become today's rave, to laptops with 20" screens that put to shame the small DVD movie players from just 10 years ago. Technology is also the science of innovation and having the ability to perform what were once manual tasks to being automated.

Technology has many different "flavors" and the flavor that I have focused on is technology as a tool more so than as a source of entertainment. Technology and technology literacy are important tools to have as a means for human capital development. Let's further explore the importance of technology literacy to you.

TAB Training & Consulting welcomes everyone to our Blog

As the President & CEO of TAB Training & Consulting, I wish to welcome you to our new blog space and I look forward to sharing, entertaining and even debating technology as a tool for developing and enhancing human capital. Below is a brief overview of TAB Training & Consulting and I look forward to chatting with you soon.

Vision: TAB Training & Consulting is focused on bridging the gap between technology and inner-city communities.

Mission: Our mission is to help individuals reach their maximum potential by developing their human capital through technology literacy. TAB Training & Consulting will accomplish this by partnering with community-based organizations and local businesses to offer training programs and specialized workshops on computer and information technology.

Objective: TAB Training & Consulting will work with resident groups, community based organizations, local businesses and city agencies to identify the technology literacy needs of the community and use our workshops and programs to address them.