5 Questions with… Lothar Weiß of Knoll Maschinenbau GmbH
It was actually just supposed to be training on the newly acquired Matrix42 service desk solution. Lothar Weiß never would have imagined that it would turn into an entire training series and spark such genuine enthusiasm for our Academy. The IT project manager at Knoll Maschinenbau GmbH has now participated in many of our training sessions—mostly remotely due to the pandemic. In this interview, he tells us why he still liked the single in-person training session the best.
Mr. Weiß, how and when did you first learn about our Academy?
That in itself wasn’t particularly remarkable—we had purchased Matrix42’s service desk software, and training was necessary to use it. So we went ahead and booked that training with you right away. That was in early 2020, essentially at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus unfortunately at a rather inopportune time. Because you had to completely switch the in-person training sessions to an online format, which was a bit bumpy at first. Nevertheless, you ultimately handled it well, and everything proceeded very professionally. I was therefore on-site once, and the remaining five training sessions took place remotely.
That was quite the training marathon—kudos! In your opinion, how do our training programs differ from those of other providers?
So here, I can mainly compare it to in-person training. The main difference from other training programs is that the group size is much smaller. That makes it much more enjoyable.
How do you rate self-study compared to training courses? Which is more important?
I think a combination of both is important. Pure self-study based solely on materials wouldn’t work. When you attend an in-person training session, instructors can show you things directly within the system. And if you run into a problem, you can ask questions about it. This makes you faster, more efficient, and ultimately more effective. In my view, there’s no substitute for training—whether it’s in-person or remote. Sure, the materials are also important for reviewing or looking things up. But I think self-study alone is very difficult because the topics are simply too complex to just pick up on your own.
So, in-person training is essential for your success. Which type of training do you prefer: remote or in-person?
Personally, I definitely prefer in-person training. It’s definitely worth it, because you aren’t distracted and can focus more on the actual training. I also think the interaction with other participants—user-to-user—is very important. It’s a chance to make connections that last even after the training is over. That just doesn’t happen as easily with remote training. You turn off your microphone during the break, and that’s it. I also find remote training more exhausting, even though the content is the same.
Our burning question: Have we found a true Academy fan in you?
Of course—what a question! You’re a great team, and it’s really nice working with you in person. You can’t help but be a fan. I’ve seen much more distant attitudes elsewhere. With you guys, that’s even set as an example from the top—even the bosses are practically “down to earth.” You’re doing a really great job, and I can’t think of anything that needs improving. If that ever happens, I’ll shout it from the rooftops.
