Explaining How Things Work: How To Do It And Why It Matters

Community Explaining How Things Work: How To Do It And Why It Matters Liam AndersonJune 03, 2022Woman explains something to her coworkers Bigstock {"adCodes": [{"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664312254/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 0, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664312254/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 1, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}, {"desktop": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "display": true, "mobile": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e", "new_amp": "\u003camp-ad width=336 height=280\n type=\"doubleclick\"\n data-slot=\"/22278042776,22664312254/wit/wit_content\"\n data-multi-size=\"300x250\"\u003e\n\u003c/amp-ad\u003e", "order": 2, "tablet": "\u003cdiv class=\u0027rblad-wit_content\u0027\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"}], "adsOrder": [2]}

When you can't stop working...

I went to my local airport to go on a business trip. I noticed some elderly ladies in Departures struggling to use the self-check-in machine.

My user training instincts kicked in. Using my own passport as an example, I showed them how to check in and get their boarding passes. I stood by helping them get theirs in the same way that I take my employers’ customers through our product’s workflow.

The shoe was on the other foot a few years later. I bought a new washing machine. The manual was in every language except English. Using the product name on the invoice, I found a video review of that washing machine on YouTube where someone demonstrated how to use it. Within 5 minutes, I was operating the washing machine.

Today, technology is everywhere. We use computers in the office, various appliances at home, ATMs, ticket machines, and gas pumps in the street, and smartphones in our pockets.

Explaining how something works has become an essential leadership skill. Customer service staff explain how technology works to solve their customers' problems. Sales representatives do the same to persuade customers to buy or use their products. Managers help their colleagues and train their subordinates on how to use various applications.

Demonstrating and training people how to use unfamiliar applications is part of most change management projects.

It All Starts With A Process Man explains something to a coworker

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Explaining how something works always starts with a process. There are two variants.

The Instructional Variant (training someone to use a system): the emphasis is on showing your audience how to get a specific result out of that system. I showed the ladies how to get their boarding passes printed and issued by the machine.

The Promotional Variant (selling someone a system): the emphasis is on showing how the system provides a business outcome. If I were selling automated check-in machines for airports, I would show my audience the benefits of these machines: passengers can check themselves in so the airline needs fewer check-in agents.

The Instructional Variant Woman reads a manual

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Imagine we are writing a user guide for a wheelbarrow.

Any act of instruction begins with a learning aim. When planning a training event, this is best summarized in a “can do” statement.

“By the end of this training session, the user can load, unload and maneuver a wheelbarrow.”

This is how we would describe the main process from start to finish.

“Put the load into the wheelbarrow’s bucket. Take hold of the handles and lift them up with the entire weight of the bucket resting on the wheel. Walk forward, pushing the wheelbarrow to your destination. On arrival, lift the handles above your head. The load will fall out of the bucket.”

Often, there are variations of the main operating processes.

“Where the load is a single, solid object, lift it and place it carefully into the bucket. On arrival, lift the load out of the wheelbarrow to prevent damage or injury.”

Here is a care instruction: “Oil the wheel’s axle to ensure that it will turn easily.”

Here is a safety instruction: “Bend your knees when lifting the handles and keep your back straight when pushing the wheelbarrow.”

Identify these divisions clearly using headings, captions, etc. with the main process coming first.

Also, be sure to include any prerequisites to operate the solution, such as installing drivers, inputting data, or integrating it with other applications.

The Promotional Variant Woman gives a presentation during a business meeting

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Here is how we demonstrate a wheelbarrow to a building firm’s buyer.

“This wheelbarrow is designed to enable your staff to move heavy loads without injury or exhaustion. Minimal training is required to operate this equipment."

"Place the load in the bucket. Lift the handles until the weight rests on the wheels. Push the vehicle forward to your destination. Lift the handles to empty the bucket."

"We have moved this heavy load from one place to the other quickly, quietly, without injury or carbon emissions.”

This description includes the main process and states the product’s benefits.

Do It Yourself 1: How Good Are The Processes You Work With? Man on computer

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Think of some of the processes you deal with personally. They might be online instructions to submit an insurance claim or request a service. How easy are these instructions to understand? Where is the problem? How straightforward is the language? Was each step described clearly? Were all the prerequisites given?

Do It Yourself 2: How Good Are Your Processes? Man explains something to a colleague

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​Now think of the processes you are responsible for. When you train a new colleague how to use an application or device, how well does she understand it? Are you sure you told her everything? Did you tell her each step in the correct order?

Try writing that process down. Writing is a great way to separate an idea from yourself and look at it as an independent object. What do you need to start the process? What does it produce? What is it for? Have you included all the steps? Are there any parts that you don’t feel you really understand?

You might be in for a surprise!

I’d love to know how you got on. Feel free to connect with me and tell me about it!

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If you're looking for a way to simplify your job search and get noticed, social platforms like LinkedIn give you an opportunity to be proactive and get past the applicant tracking system (ATS). With LinkedIn, not only can you view job listings, but you can also easily find the recruiter who's leading the search for the right candidate.

Reaching out to the recruiter is certainly a solid job search strategy, but like anything in life there's a right and wrong way to do it.

Here are the best ways to connect with a recruiter on LinkedIn and potentially put yourself in a position to get hired for the job.

3 Steps For Connecting With A Recruiter On LinkedIn

1. Research the Recruiter's Profile - Details matter! You may learn from the recruiter's LinkedIn profile that you attended the same university or once worked at the same company during different time periods. Anything you have in common with the recruiter could be a good way to break the ice.

2. Make a Connection Request - Use the simple 300-word connection request to introduce yourself to the recruiter. Mention something that you have in common and that you're interested in learning more about their career field and would love the opportunity to connect. Keep it simple—you don't want to overwhelm the recruiter. Here are a few additional ideas.

3. Ask a Follow-Up Question - Once you're connected, send a follow-up note thanking them for the connection, mention that the job posting caught your attention, and ask them what's most important to them when considering a candidate for this position. This is a way to express your interest in the position while politely asking for their feedback. The key is not to be pushy and frame it in a way where you're trying to make their job easier.

What Do You Do If A Recruiter Doesn't Connect With You?Man on laptop tries to connect with a recruiter on LinkedIn

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If a recruiter doesn't respond to your connection request, it's best to just move on.

There could be many reasons why the recruiter doesn't respond, and some may have nothing to do with your request. Being too aggressive about the connection request could actually damage your chances of getting the job. Make one request and if the recruiter doesn't respond, let it go.

You can continue your job hunt by searching LinkedIn for other professionals who work at the company where you're pursuing employment. Use the above steps to try to connect with them and perhaps they can give you tips that may help you land a job interview. This is not only a good way to boost your job search but it will also help you build your professional network.

Keep A Strong LinkedIn ProfileFocused professional puts some time and effort into her LinkedIn profile.

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It's important to remember that if you have a strong LinkedIn profileit's possible that recruiters will reach out to you. By optimizing your LinkedIn profile with keywords, you'll have a higher chance of showing up in recruiters' search results. They'll be able to find you and see that you have the skills and experience they need for the job opportunity. This is your ideal situation: instead of having to reach out to recruiters in your job search, they'll come to you!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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