What ‘They’ Really Want … Part I of III
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
What do ‘they’ really want when CART and captioning services are requested? After listening to recent requests I swear I could do stand-up comedy for SNL, Saturday Night Live.
More and more, I pause long and hard before I begin to suggest words to help the person asking for services.
And now and then, I am stunned into silence.
Back in July 1999, I wrote “CART’s Believe It Or Not: Questions Asked By Hearing People” for my column, posted at www.CRRbooks.com and www.monettebenoit.com.
I continue to receive wonderful feedback from Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who rely on our services, as well as from CART providers, captioners, and students seeking to enter the path.
The conversations I detailed in that article were events prompted by hearing individuals – not needing services – adding opinions or questions (sometimes tart).
Multiple conversations resulted in the consumer(s) – person(s) receiving services – apologizing to me.
Each time I worked to remain in court reporter role.
You know the blank look, professional posture; perhaps a hard blink to process words directed to me.
I now keep a little list. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m being punked or if this is, “Okay, everyone, gather around; we’re headed back to square one!”
When requests begin with “I know you charge lots of money,” I know we’re headed into an area I like to deliberately avoid.
Many CART and captioning requests, with similar wording, arrive from student services in educational settings and may arrive from individuals who only schedule sign interpreting.
A recent conversation (I cannot make this up) to All American Realtime/Captioning Services, www.ARTCS.com, began with the words: “We need remote work – it can be with you for CART or we can use a cheaper service. That’s good enough!” I remember gasping.
I cautiously, softly, began asking questions to see if the request actually was for services that would benefit the consumer. Yes.
The individual did not sign. CART is what the student requested. Hmm.
Then the ‘specialist’ (she used her title often) said – I wrote it down – “Look, I know you are expensive. CART is wonderful but expensive. We don’t need it all – every word. And that would be good enough for the student.” I blinked hard.
Monette Benoit may be reached for tutoring and coaching: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted September 13, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted September 27, 2010, on Monette's Musings at www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette's Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
Did You Know: www.CRRbooks.com has material to help you advance skills for NCRA exams and state certifications?
Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and broadcast captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and broadcast captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
Check It Out: Reach Your Goals! Tutoring and Coaching
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Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
