SLW #015: Let's Explore Excel Basics for Business
Other than video tutorials,I'm exploring new ways to share value.
Starting from this week, I'm going to write more Excel learning guides for business professionals and beginners.
"How can I efficiently learn Excel and apply it effectively?" I often receive these questions in my inbox.
If you're still struggling at the starting point, read this. If you've already started your learning journey, read this also, to clarify your direction.
Today, let's start with a simple but important question: "Why Excel for business?"
Think of Excel as your trusty Swiss Army knife for business. It can do a lot, from basic stuff to some really cool, advanced tricks. We're going to break down Excel's awesomeness into three levels and help you decide where to start your learning journey.
Three Levels of Excel Benefits:
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Low-Value Mastery:
- Goal: For keeping records.
- Example: Imagine it's your digital notebook for things like tracking payments or managing contacts.
- Low-Value Focus: Here, you'll get good at basic record-keeping and data entry.
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Medium-Value Mastery:
- Goal: For basic calculations.
- Example: If you're in sales, you can use Excel to track your numbers, calculate percentages, and see if you're hitting your targets.
- Medium-Value Focus: You'll do basic math in Excel and organizing your data like a champ. Excel's like your calculator and personal organizer rolled into one.
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High-Value Mastery:
- Goal: For driving actions by insightful data analysis
- Example: Excel becomes your Sherlock Holmes, helping you uncover hidden business trends and making data-driven decisions.
- High-Value Focus: At this level, you'll unlock Excel's full potential for practical analysis and applications, insightful charts, and in-depth data analysis work. Excel becomes your data superhero, turning your data into a informed business decision.
How to prioritize Your Learning?
Where should you start? Low, Medium, or High level?
It's all about the 80/20 rule, meaning you should put most of your energy into the 20% of Excel that gives you 80% of the results.
It's similar to a company's hierarchy. If you simply classify them into three levels: High, Medium, and Operations. Each level has its expertise. You can't master everything. For example, operations staff may be experts in face-to-face customer service, which this expertise may not benefit High-level staff too much.
Back to Excel. What's your choice?
In simple terms, becoming an Excel whiz in data analysis is where the magic happens.
For example: Let's say you're in sales. Sure, keeping records (low-value stuff) is essential, but if you really want to boost your career, focus on mastering Excel's data analysis powers (high-value). Use it to uncover trends, find golden opportunities, and make game-changing business moves.
In Summary:
Understanding these three levels of Excel benefits and focusing on high-value skills is your ticket to Excel success.
Excel is not just a tool. It's your sidekick for making smart business decisions. So, let's embark on this learning adventure together and unlock the full potential of Excel for your career.
This is also why I create an Excel Analytics OS course.
Got questions or specific Excel topics you want us to cover? Just send me an email. I'm open to know more.
That's all for this week.
See you next week.
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Whenever you're ready, this is the way I can help you:
- Digital course: Excel Analytics OS for business professionals
- Excel Analytics OS Course
