RN: Please tell us a little
about yourself.
LUI: My functional background is in
production and operational management. I spent 10 years
as a contract administrator/negotiator in several
different industries before concentrating on
technology-based application support. I have many varied
interests and avocations which extend beyond the scope
of this bio.
RN: What interested you
about writing ReviewNet tests?
LUI: After several years of
interviewing, I found that we were asking the same
functional questions of candidates and potential
contractors over and over again. No external resource
had ever been used to simplify, expedite or streamline
this review process. Review of certification results was
providing the example exam study habits of a person,
over their ability to solve problems and deliver
production-ready solutions. ReviewNet fulfills a unique
need for employers to send potential candidates through
a standardized and replicable system of measurement that
concentrates on what skills are needed, rather than
reviewing someone's ability to memorize content.
RN: How do you keep up
with changing technologies and the latest trends in the
IT industry?
LUI: I end up reviewing a LOT
of books. The annual Oracle and Oracle Applications
Users Group conferences are beneficial, as well.
RN: Tell us a little
about your ReviewNet test.
LUI: The Oracle Financials test set
is designed to provide assessment of a candidate's
hands-on experience with the Oracle Applications. Most
of the questions are designed around process or
troubleshooting-related activity and cannot be
successfully answered solely using reference materials.
The test is suitable for use with entry-level positions
(which will score on the low side, but with a few
correct answers) through the advanced-level candidate
with at least 2 to 3 years of experience.
RN: What advice would you
give to someone learning your discipline?
Are there significant barriers to learning about this
subject?
LUI: Knowing what your end-users
need means more than listening to the advice of your
vendors. Learn how and why people work the way they do,
and provide solutions that enhance their ability to
perform their functions - not as a demonstration of your
technological prowess.
RN: What do you see as
the future of Oracle Financials? Where would you like to
see it go?
LUI: Systems support of
financially-related applications will become
increasingly centric around the end-user. As businesses
increase their dependence on business-related
justifications for changes and procedures, the
historical approach of building-in complexity and
endless administrative duties will come under increasing
scrutiny.
RN: When did you decide
to get into the Information Technology field?
LUI: As an end-user, I became
increasingly frustrated with the level of support
provided by traditional technology-focused IT
organizations. Systemic changes seemed to be driven by
interests in technical exploration, rather than solid
business process-driven metrics. Obtaining and
implementing required mission-critical changes were met
with argumentative positions stating "technological
infeasibility" and "non-conforming configurations" as
the reasons to reject such proposals. Instead of
delivering solutions, many of the IT organizations I
dealt with seemed to operate only to perpetuate their
own existence. My background grew from the functional
desire to obtain advanced technology-supported solutions
driven exclusively by business and customer needs.
RN: Please share your
thoughts with us on the role that ReviewNet evaluations
play in hiring IT professionals.
LUI: The
ReviewNet score represents a single facet of a persons'
role as an employee. Employers still need to separately
assess their candidate's other strengths and weaknesses
as they relate to their potential as a group
contributor.
https://www.angelfire.com/ca2/jlui
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