training

How to Plan a Training Class

July 1, 2014

It looks so easy from the outside – just slap together a title and an abstract, set up a web page, and the money just comes rolling in, right? Nope. I’ve done training classes around the world, from conferences to private classes to cruise ships. Since we just launched another one, I figured it’s a great time to share some of the logistical questions you’ll want to consider. It’s not a complete guide on how to plan a training class – it’s just a starting point: Who will attend your training class? Who’s your target audience? What’s their job description? What’s the pain they’re facing?…

Read

Using an HD Camcorder as a Mac Webcam (Updated 2018)

March 11, 2014

mac, presenting, reviews, training

My Home Office Setup I do a lot of webcasts and training videos (here’s an example), so I wanted better quality video. Sure, MacBooks come with a built-in webcam, but it’s over the laptop display, and that doesn’t really help much when I’m using a desktop monitor. I’ve tried USB HD webcams like the Mac-friendly Logitech C615, and the results were okay, but not amazing. After a lot of experimenting, here’s the combination of parts that worked well for me: Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 – 1 Channel HDMI to USB Video/Audio Capture Device, Up to 1080p60 Recording (32060,…

Read

Training Products are the New Blogs

September 17, 2013

consulting, marketing, presenting, training, videos

In the old days, when you wanted to learn about photography or you bought a new gadget, you went to the bookstore – in person – and you bought a book. Maybe if you had some spare time, you joined a local user group, and if you had all kinds of time, you’d sign up for a college course. Over the last several years, the consumer gadget training market – yes, there actually is such a thing – has evolved at a breakneck pace. When you want to learn photography, you’ve got some amazing options: Free email newsletters like Photojojo…

Read

The #SQLMCM is Dead, but the Experiments Go On

September 3, 2013

mca, mcdba, mcm, mcse, mcsm, microsoft, msl, training

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. They’re the five stages of grief. I went through all of them over this long holiday weekend. Saturday morning, I woke up to an email announcing that Microsoft Learning killed the Microsoft Certified Master program. I happened to be taking a road trip alone, giving me a dozen hours alone in the car to think through things. I must have written a dozen blog posts in my head, including: Microsoft Deprecations: A Visual Timeline [Video]: Can a Drunk Hobo Pass the MCSE Test? Microsoft Learning Doesn’t 5 Signs Your Database Software is Heading for the Grave…

Read

Charging People to Find Free Stuff? Are You Crazy?

August 5, 2013

business, training, videos

Last week I launched a video course called The Best Free SQL Server Downloads. It costs $29, and I gave out coupon codes to drop it to $19 for the launch. I expected to get a few questions: How Can You Charge People for a List of Free Stuff? If you’ve ever watched TV late at night, you’ve probably stumbled across one of Matthew Lesko’s informercials. He wears a suit covered in question marks, and he sells information about how to get free money from the government. Matthew LeskoPhoto by 88Slide.com I have never bought one of Lesko’s books. The cynic in…

Read

Why I Avoid Training Labs

November 18, 2011

conference, demos, presenting, training

When I read Tom LaRock’s post about training I had a Carly Simon moment – I was pretty sure his blog was about me. He said, “I see the phrase ‘SQL Server training’ tossed around a lot these days and often times it makes me want to stick a fork in my eye…”

Read

training

How to Plan a Training Class

Using an HD Camcorder as a Mac Webcam (Updated 2018)

Training Products are the New Blogs

The #SQLMCM is Dead, but the Experiments Go On

Charging People to Find Free Stuff? Are You Crazy?

Why I Avoid Training Labs

Hi. I’m Brent.