I just realized that I never told you why I’m writing this blog. I guess the easiest explanation is that it’s to introduce myself to the world! My name is Patricia Ransom, and I live in Chicago Illinois. I’m a trainer — no, not a personal trainer. I am a corporate trainer who currently focuses mainly on computer software systems such as SAP and PeopleSoft.

It’s interesting, because when I tell people that, they automatically assume I’m a techie. That’s the furthest thing from the truth! In reality, I look at myself as a sales person and a translator. I’m a sales person because I feel my biggest job when training is to get my learners to buy into what I’m training…I’m trying to make them as passionate about the system as I am. If I can do that, they’ll learn in my class, and they’ll continue to learn on their own. 

I’m a translator, because I firmly believe that my job is to take the technical techie talk of the programmers and engineers, and translate it into everyday English and analogies that we can all understand. If I can explain a complicate database in such a way that my mother understands, then I’ve done my job. Fortunately for me, I know how to ask the questions of the techie people to get the information to translate it for people like my mother. That’s because I grew up “bi-lingual”.

What does that mean? It means that my father is an electrical engineer, and is fluent in theoretical mathematics and is very linear and analytical. My mother is a child psychologist and a former teacher/grade-school principal who thinks in analogies and connections to existing information. After 46 years of marriage, you’d think they’d have figured out how to talk to each other…they’re getting better, but I learned how to take what dad was saying and put it in such a way that mom could understand, and vice-versa. It’s a wonderful skill that I’ve found INVALUABLE in my professional life.

Just a couple more things — I’m currently working on my Masters of Training and Development at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and I’m married to the most wonderful person in the whole entire wide world — my GG!

So, what is the purpose of this blog? I envisioned it as a place where I could learn about learning, and share that. Also where I could explore thoughts and ideas and questions I have about the world. In short, where I could learn about learning and the world, and the world could learn about me! How is this going to evolve? I don’t know…we’ll see!

ps– has spell checkered ruined anyone elses spelling? I used to be really good at spelling…now I just try to get close enough so the little red line will suggest the right word..sigh.