Explore a wide range of software applications, including their features, benefits, and best practices for maximising their potential in various business and personal contexts.
Working in business today means keeping up with demands that never seem to slow down. What if there was a way to finish reports faster, make sense of meetings without endless notes, or spark new ideas when time is tight? That’s where Microsoft 365 Copilot comes in—a clever assistant built into tools like Word, Excel, […]
In today’s fast-paced business world, the ability to think creatively and work efficiently is more important than ever. Enter Copilot, an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance your creative thinking and streamline productivity. But how exactly does Copilot achieve this, and what practical benefits can it bring to your business? Let’s dive in and explore the […]
We are excited by the March 2024 update for Power BI. This edition brings forth an array of new features and improvements, meticulously curated to enhance your experience with data analytics. Microsoft evidently remains committed to innovation, ensuring that both long-standing aficionados and newcomers to Power BI will discover tools and functionalities to elevate their […]
Power BI, Microsoft’s powerful business analytics tool, continues to progress rapidly. It continues to enable organisations to extract valuable insights from their data easily. Several exciting features have been introduced recently, further improving its capabilities and user experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of these new features. Improved performance and scalability: Microsoft […]
Power BI’s Gauge visual is a champion for presenting data in a clear and captivating way. Imagine speedometer-like dials instantly conveying performance against targets – that’s the power of gauges! This blog post dives into common gauge limitations and equips you with solutions to create impactful visuals. Gauge Advantages: Why They Shine Clarity at […]
Data can be a powerful tool for driving business decisions, but a ‘sea of totally unrelated data’, when presented, can confuse your audience. However, you can make a huge impact by presenting that data clearly, using captivating visuals that tell a compelling story. This guide will equip you with the skills to leverage the data […]
Being successful at a job interview is a hurdle we all face at some point. By adopting the right strategies, you can transform this nerve-wracking experience into an opportunity to showcase your talent and secure the role of your dreams. Preparation is Power Imagine sitting an exam unprepared. How do you think you would […]
Ever feel limited by traditional Excel PivotTables? Microsoft Power Pivot offers a revolutionary solution, empowering you to analyse vast amounts of data from diverse sources, all within the familiar Excel environment. Break Free from Limitations Say goodbye to the constraints of single-table analysis! Power Pivot empowers you to: Consolidate Data: Effortlessly integrate information from various sources, […]
In personal and professional development, improving our memory is often overlooked despite its pivotal role in enhancing overall efficiency. The memory is a muscle and benefits from constructive exercises just like any other. Beyond recalling dates or facts, a good memory empowers individuals to make faster, better decisions, reduce time relearning material, and tackle more […]
Remember the days of whiteboard jitters and projector mishaps? The world of communication has evolved, and virtual presentations are now the new normal. Whether you’re connecting with colleagues across continents or captivating clients remotely, mastering the art of online presentations is key to success. By testing your equipment beforehand and having a backup plan, you […]
A practical guide for avoiding common pitfalls and staying ahead of the curve. GenAI is a powerful tool that can help you automate tasks, optimise processes, and generate insights at work. But it also comes with some security and ethical challenges that you need to be aware of and address. In this blog post, we […]
Microsoft Access is a powerful database management system that offers numerous benefits for businesses of all sizes. One of the primary advantages is its ability to streamline data management processes. With Access, users can easily create, manage, and manipulate databases, which helps in organising large volumes of data efficiently. This capability is particularly useful for […]
As a business leader, keeping informed about cutting-edge technologies is crucial. One such technology that has been making waves is ChatGPT—an advanced language model developed by OpenAI. In this blog, we’ll break down what ChatGPT is, its applications, and why it matters for your business. What Is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) model […]
This will sound familiar to all business decision makers; constantly juggling tasks, deadlines, and strategic goals. What if there was a powerful tool that can supercharge your productivity, enhance customer experiences, and secure your business’s future? Enter Generative AI—your secret weapon. GenAI, short for Generative Artificial Intelligence, is a type of AI technology that can create […]
As a business professional your time is precious, and the quality of your work matters. Enter ChatGPT, an AI language model that can significantly impact your productivity, efficiency, and job security. Let’s explore why integrating ChatGPT into your workflow is a strategic move. 1. Productivity Boost ChatGPT streamlines tasks that would otherwise consume valuable hours. […]
Success rarely happens by chance. It’s the result of careful planning, dedication, and effective goal setting. Whether you’re striving for personal growth, career advancement, or business success, setting clear objectives is essential. One popular framework for setting meaningful anhttps://www.stl-training.co.uk/time-managemend achievable goals is the SMART objectives method. In this blog, we’ll explore the SMART methodology and […]
In Excel 365 and Excel 2021 Microsoft has provided Excel users with some new features which will fundamentally change the way worksheets are designed. Dynamic array formulas allow you to work with multiple values at the same time in a formula. Dynamic arrays solve some challenging difficulties in Excel and will be a feature which […]
Have you ever wondered what jazz music and management have in common? Jazz is a musical genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterised by improvisation, syncopation, swing, and complex harmonies. Jazz musicians often play in small groups, where they communicate […]
Welcome to the world of data visualisation and analysis with Power BI! In this blog, we’ll dive into the heart of Power BI’s analytical capabilities: DAX measures. DAX, or Data Analysis eXpressions, is a powerful formula language that enables users to define custom calculations in Power BI reports. Whether you’re a seasoned data analyst or […]
Visualising data is crucial for decision making in any industry. Power BI reports are a brilliantly efficient way to achieve this, as users have several useful visual options. In this blog post you will learn how Power BI can display dynamic text for more detailed reports. We will be using examples of sales data and […]
In the professional world, the ability to be assertive is an invaluable skill, especially when dealing with senior managers, clients, and stakeholders. Assertiveness is expressing your needs, opinions, and boundaries with confidence and respect. Here are 8 useful strategies you can adopt as you aim to master this essential art in the workplace. Recognising the […]
Data visualisation is a powerful tool that allows you to view data more clearly. This is vitally important for businesses to help them with crucial decision making. What is data visualisation? Data visualisation is the process of turning raw data into graphical representations. It works by taking selected data in Excel and then choosing from […]
The best way to make a positive impact in meetings, is to contribute meaningfully. By doing this, you are helping your team achieve its goals. Here are 14 key strategies to ensure that you make a positive impact at meetings you attend. Whether you are a project manager looking to improve processes and reduce risk, […]
Confidence often takes centre stage as a key ingredient for success at work. It is not just about what you say or do, but also about how you carry yourself. It’s about embodying the qualities of a confident person in your posture, tone of voice, and body language. But what happens when you find yourself […]
Sparklines are a powerful tool in Excel that allow you to visualise data trends in a condensed chart format. Unlike normal Excel charts, Sparklines are embedded in a single cell, making them ideal for displaying trends in sales figures, website hits, and other data over a period of time. In this blog post, we’ll show […]
Excel is a brilliant tool for data analysis. A useful function or two can help, as several factors can impact your data. Weather, conflicts around the world, inflation, the interest rate, currency rates, subcontractors, number of customers, competitors, special offers, market size etc. Trend Function and Regression Tool In this blog post, we’ll be […]
Excel has some powerful tools that you can use to carry out a What-if analysis. We sat down with one of our Excel Experts, Jens, to ask him about three particular data analysis tools and to see whether he would demonstrate how to use them for us. Good morning Jens, you talk a lot about […]
Any project at work can bring about exciting challenges and changes. Read on to learn more about how to identify them, and what the phases of projects look like to help you to run them efficiently and accurately. Rest assured all the content covered here has been tried and tested on our very own project […]
here we share the much-overlooked Excel Macro feature – and how it can save you considerable time every day. How do Macros Work? The Macro Recorder in Excel is a useful tool that allows users to automate repetitive tasks by recording the steps. The Macro Recorder generates Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code. It […]
Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful workplace. Among the various styles, assertive communication stands out as a powerful tool for fostering healthy relationships, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that your voice is heard. In this blog, we will explore the art of delivering assertive messages in the workplace and why it is essential for […]
What Are Minutes? Meeting minutes are official records of what transpires during a meeting. They serve as a historical reference, document actions, decisions, and discussions, and provide a clear record of a meeting’s proceedings. Minutes are essential for accountability, tracking progress, and ensuring that agreed-upon actions are followed through. Whether your meeting is in person, […]
The ability to manage our time and tasks effectively has become a valuable skill. The “Urgent-Important Matrix” is a simple but powerful tool, which can transform how you approach your to-do list and maximise your productivity by placing each task in the appropriate quadrant. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of the Urgent-Important Matrix […]
This blog is part 4 of a series that explores the amazingly useful functionality of some of the most popular Office 365 Excel functions. In the previous blog, the focus was on the UNIQUE function. Building on this, we will explore how useful the MAXIFS and MINIFS functions are in finding the highest or lowest […]
This blog is part 3 of a series that looks at the amazing functionality of some of the most popular Office 365 Excel functions. In parts 1 and 2 the focus was on the FILTER and SORT functions. Building on this, we will explore how useful the UNIQUE function is in creating unique lists more […]
Most Excel users do not know the power of custom formatting. They know how the currency or accounting format. In this article you will find some useful information which can display your data in different ways, and more clearly. I got the inspiration to write this blog post from a client question on one of […]
This blog is part 2 of a series that looks at the amazing functionality of some of the most popular Office 365 Excel functions. In part 1 the focus was on the FILTER function. Building on this, we will explore how useful the SORT function is in arranging data more efficiently. What is the SORT […]
How often have you found when you filter Excel data, problems arise in getting it to work? This can happen when you are sharing workbooks or the source data changes frequently. The solution lies in Office 365’s FILTER function. This blog is part 1 of a series that explores the amazing functionality of some of […]
Highly productive people are motivated, engaged, and willing to go the extra mile. They care about the quality of their work, their colleagues, and the success of the company. They know this reflects on them. People generally feel this way on the first day of their new job when they are excited. They want to […]
Assertiveness – what exactly is it? Getting your own way? Saying how you feel? Being upfront and honest? Telling it how it is? Well, many people get hung up and confused about what exactly assertiveness is and how you act in an assertive manner. If you research dictionary definitions, you’ll find the following: “confident and […]
. Power BI Desktop tool The Power BI desktop is a tool which Microsoft created as part of its BI (Business Intelligence) toolset. Other tools include Excel, SQL, SharePoint, and various reporting services. Power BI Desktop is an analysis and reporting tool designed to connect to data, transform it, analyse it, and then create an […]
Microsoft Power BI has introduced a plethora of new features that are designed to improve the user experience and help organizations improve their return on investment (ROI). These new features include everything from improved data modelling capabilities (new DAX functions) to new visualization tools and advanced analytics integrations. In this blog post, now that we’ve […]
Finally, there are new advanced options to create forecasting models in Power BI. Microsoft introduced the LINEST function and LINESTX function in the Power BI desktop February 2023 version. The LINEST function in Excel has always been an important tool for perform linear regression, leveraging the Least Squares method, to calculate a straight line that […]
How often when using Excel have you had to scroll down to find what you’re looking for in a huge spreadsheet only to find your top headings disappear off the screen? Well worry no more. The solution lies in using an incredibly handy tool called Freeze Panes. This tool ‘freezes’ the top row and left […]
Microsoft has prepared Power BI to make it easier for users to perform DAX measures without a lot of DAX knowledge. To access the Quick Measures, click QUICK MEASURES on the Home tab. You will see a list of options to choose from. On the right side of the Quick Measure dialog box, you will […]
Conditional Formatting is one of the most powerful tools in Excel. It can do so much to help you track data with relatively little time and effort. This ‘Quick Win’ tool can be mastered in a few simple steps. The blog will look at what Conditional Formatting is, how to apply it to data and […]
We can use LOOKUPSs in Excel to search for a value in a column or row, and return a value from a matching column or row. We look at them in a lot of depth on both our Excel Advanced and Excel Advanced Formulas and Functions courses. There are a number of lookup and reference functions […]
This is the last in the Performance Management series. We have already looked at the first 3 stages of Performance Management; Setting Expectations, Assessing Performance and Performance Reviews. Today we will look at the final stage in the process, Developing Individuals. The first 3 stages will enable you to identify any learning and development needs. […]
Assessing Performance – targets Before we dive into assessing performance against targets, a quick reminder of part 1: In the first blog in this series of 4 – Setting Expectations for Performance, we looked at how expectations can be broad. With that said, we can break them down into two broad categories: Measurable Results and Targets […]
Have you ever pulled in data from various places to restructure it in Excel? Have you found yourself repeating this long, manual process every month when new data is added? The solution is to use Power Query. This blog is the first in a series of four. We will show you what Power Query can […]
To perform well, employees need to know what is expected of them. Well-defined expectations produce effective teams with employees who know the role they play and the purpose they serve. When you and an employee set clear expectations about the results that must be achieved, and the methods or approaches needed to achieve them, you […]