Defining Moments - Personal Productivity Gains
This post is the third in a series about a “Defining Moment” – Personal Productivity Gains
Defining Moment - Part Three
What is your greatest personal efficiency gain?
In the latest blog in the “defining moments” series, I would like to share a jaw-dropping moment I had when receiving a hand over to take on a new role.
The role was the management accountant for a business unit within an IT company. The current holder of this role was moving on, and the company had appointed me to take over.
It was as we sat together during the month end process that a huge defining moment took place.
Up until this point, I thought I was quite skilled and proficient in using Excel spreadsheets. However, I soon realised that there was another world of proficiency which I didn’t even know existed.
Keyboard Shortcuts result in productivity gains
I sat in awe as his screen rapidly switched between worksheets. He selected ranges of data, cleansed, analysed and summarised huge quantities of data in the blink of an eye… and all the while he barely touched the mouse. His dominant method was using keyboard strokes and shortcuts.
This was completely new to me, since everything I had been taught relied on using the mouse to select cells and to select functions via the menus at the top of the screen.
It was clear to me that using the methods I was previously aware of would take so much longer to get the job done and would definitely not even be possible within the month end timescales.
Why was this a defining moment for me?
It was an exciting moment, even if it was also a little daunting. I felt like I had just seen through a window into another dimension. So, I had to learn to change from mouse-based control to keyboard based control of Excel and I haven’t looked back.
Learning and memorising keyboard shortcuts until they are second nature has been a game changer for me in terms of personal productivity. This is especially so, since as an accountant, I spend a lot of time working with Excel.
How have I benefited from this moment?
It has given me great satisfaction over the years to know that I work in a quick and efficient manner when using one of the most widespread data analysis and reporting tools – MS Excel.
I have also freely used my expertise to help colleagues to identify ways in which they too can realise personal productivity gains.
How can you benefit from this moment?
Companies invest huge amounts into increasing workers productivity, typically re-engineering workflows and streamlining processes. But personal productivity is often overlooked.
I have been frequently amazed when helping colleagues, to see how slowly they work in Excel.
In many cases they just didn’t know that there was a quicker way.
Could this be the case for you? What about your team or department?
Get in touch with me today to discuss your requirements for bespoke Excel training. What productivity gains could you realise, personally or for your whole team?
