News & Events

Why do Word or Excel Courses?

In times of cut backs the three main weapons that give you the best chance of defending your job are: self-promotion, measurable and practical skills. They good news is that by addressing one element you also address all three.

Try asking yourself the following three questions:

Do I have a skill that makes me stand out?

Don’t get me wrong I am not talking about juggling or tight rope walking. Whilst these may make you stand out at the Christmas party they aren’t much use for the rest of the year. Do you have advanced skills in MS Office: Excel, Word or PowerPoint, touch typing or shorthand, the type of skills allow you to outperform your colleagues? Book keepers do you know how to use Sage Line 50 or Sage Payroll?

Ask yourself: Is there a gap in my skills?

Can I measure my performance? 

In tough times, bosses constantly look for ways to measure the output of their staff.  It’s easy to do this with professionals who have defined outputs such as salespeople but more difficult with people who perform a wide range of tasks.  You know that the company couldn’t run without you but can you explain this to your boss?

Do I have any practical skills to offer my company in times of cutbacks?

In hard economic times companies need to find ways of maximising output. Take stock of your practical skills and how they could be developed to deliver better productivity to your employer. Make your suggestion known to your boss or manager as your good idea may also be useful to other people.

You may decide to do some additional training in a key area. You’ll probably have to pay for a course yourself, so make sure that your manager knows that you’re investing in your skills that could benefit the company.  This might do you a favour in the long run.

Their knowing may swing the balance in your favour, either for pure business reasons or because it’s emotionally harder to let someone go who is really making an extra effort.

Typical ways to improve your productivity are to take an Excel or, Word course or to improve your typing skills.

It will cost you a few hundred euros but if it helps you keep your job, it’s worth it. If you still lose your job, at least you’ve added to your skills, which can only help you get a job somewhere else.

Interested? Then call Maria on 01 8404075   or

email: swords@pitman-training.net

© www.pitmantrainingswords.ie

12 March 2012