Blog
The Great Canadian Training Blog:
Your Guide to Greater Success
At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we have one goal: guiding you to a better workday. Here in our blog, we will share ways to make even better use of your Microsoft tools and how you can use professional skills in an ever-changing professional landscape.
For our managers, human resources professionals and training organizers, we know that organizing your training can be a hassle. We have included articles that will help you book and coordinate your training, as well as set up your participants for a successful session. As well, we have included articles specifically designed to help you understand your training options so that you choose the course that is right for you.
Read on for actionable tips and valuable insights on how to make the most of your professional development!
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Excel is one of those programs where you can genuinely say, “The sky’s the limit.” Almost everyone has heard of it, even if they haven’t used it yet. Unfortunately, most people are just a little bit intimidated by it. Why is that?
KEEP READINGWe're excited to introduce a brand new lineup of professional development courses and workshops. The workplace keeps changing. Our job is to make sure your skills keep up.
KEEP READINGDespite being around for a while now, AI has quickly gone from something people experimented with to something many organizations are actively using every day. Although there are many programs, Microsoft 365 Copilot is becoming the go-to tool for many organizations.
KEEP READINGTraining has never been more important. Technology is changing faster than ever before. Expectations are rising, and employees need the skills to keep up. Professional skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, become even more valuable as teams navigate change or uncertainty.
KEEP READINGAt the time of writing, we’re heading into hiring season.
KEEP READINGYou don't need me to tell you how much you have going on. Your calendar fills up, your inbox overflows and you probably were interrupted by a Teams notification while reading this sentence.
KEEP READINGDid you know that you can either book coaching sessions or add coaching to your training session? Which raises a fair question: Is that necessary? Is that a "hat on a hat" situation, or do you actually need both? In this article, we'll outline the differences between coaching and training and how to use both to build a strong training plan for your team.
KEEP READINGOver the last few years, the workplace has changed at a relentless pace. Microsoft rolls out new features constantly. AI is showing up everywhere.
KEEP READINGYou probably open Outlook every day without giving it much thought, until one morning something looks different and you are prompted to switch to the new Outlook for Windows. Suddenly, there are new buttons, a new layout, and a new way of working to adjust to.
KEEP READINGPeople approach us because they've noticed a disconnect on their team. Maybe team members are clashing or there's other disruptive behaviour. Perhaps you've gone through a significant change - such as returning to the office - and productivity has taken a dip.
KEEP READINGIt’s wild to think Microsoft Teams has only been around since 2017. Its ringtone is permanently embedded in our collective memories, and it's the first thing we open when we log in to work. You (and roughly 320 million other people) use it every single day, and you can't imagine working now without it.
KEEP READINGWe recently read that 44% of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) licenses are "underutilized or oversized". This means that nearly half of businesses are paying for features they are not using or paying for more than they actually need.
KEEP READINGIf you’re constantly thinking, “I’m drowning in emails,” “I can’t get ahead,” or “My to-do list is a monster,” you’re not alone. The issue usually isn’t motivation. It’s that we’re juggling too much at once, without the right tools to stay focused and in control.
KEEP READINGProfessional associations and organizations are in a league of their own.
KEEP READINGCreating a database is like putting together a puzzle. Creating a database without a plan is like putting together a puzzle without looking at the picture on the box.
KEEP READINGWe asked administrative assistants how often their employer provides ongoing training. For many administrative assistants (38%), there is absolutely no ongoing training; 45% reported that they receive training from their employer, but only when a need arises or if they push hard enough for it; and only 17% reported that there was a consistent plan in place. The results clearly show that employers are falling short in this important area.
KEEP READINGI know we’ve all just caught our breath from a busy first few months of the year, but don’t put your feet up just yet. Now’s the time to look ahead and create a training plan that will make 2025 unforgettable.
KEEP READINGAccording to Microsoft, more than 190 million people worldwide use SharePoint. However, many users have not tapped into the full possibilities of what is possible with SharePoint.
KEEP READINGEdward Bulwer-Lytton famously said that the pen is mightier than the sword. If he were alive today, he’d marvel at the power of the keyboard—especially in the workplace.
KEEP READINGTraining often gets treated as a separate, standalone activity—something that happens outside the flow of daily work.
KEEP READINGWe can compare our Microsoft products to different instruments. On its own, a violin can create a beautiful sound. However, when you add some percussion, horns and other instruments, you have something more. You have a full symphony.
KEEP READINGThese days, people seem to be talking about AI everywhere you turn. The uses seem limitless, whether you are using AI-generated image creators like OpenAI to create an image or using ChatGPT or other generative AI to write that difficult email.
KEEP READINGIn this article, we are going to address a question that we hear from many of our clients.
KEEP READINGAh, summer—the season of long days, warm nights and endless possibilities.
KEEP READINGMicrosoft's products have expanded far beyond the basics of Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Today, more programs and features are available to help you with your data, complex processes and more!
KEEP READINGImagine you're at home deciding what to make for dinner. Which ends up being a better meal:
KEEP READINGSeveral questions can arise when it comes to solving your organization's challenges or moving your projects forward. Do I need training? Do I need software consulting? What is the difference?
KEEP READINGIn a previous article, we talked about the importance of choosing the right fit for your organization when selecting a training provider. It focuses on choosing the right team to help you organize training. However, that is not the full picture.
KEEP READINGIf there’s one thing that we can say about Microsoft, it’s that they are constantly updating their suite of programs. Staying in the loop with these updates isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it's a game-changer. It’s incredibly easy to fall behind the curve and miss out on the latest advancements.
KEEP READINGWhen booking training for your team, we know you have many options out there. However, are all training providers equally qualified to handle your needs?
KEEP READINGYou may have been hearing a lot about the future of work. The reality is that the future of work is already here.
KEEP READINGThe success of your training depends on much more than just attendance in the classroom. The foundation you lay will go a long way in determining the outcome. Let’s talk about how you can avoid some of the common organizational pitfalls and make sure you contribute all you can to bringing about the best possible results.
KEEP READINGAll of us have a junk drawer. It is that drawer where you keep old cables, keys, chopsticks, takeout menus, dead batteries, etc. You get the idea. It does not have a specific purpose but exists to house all miscellaneous items that do not seem to fit neatly elsewhere.
KEEP READINGRemote jobs are here to stay. A recent Robert Half survey concluded that85% of workers are interested in hybrid or fully remote positions. And they have options:22.9% of all new job postings in January 2023 were advertised as remote, up from 20.6% a year ago. [i] This is great news for both employees and employers. But there are some challenges to overcome if this trend is to succeed for both parties.
KEEP READINGTransitioning into any new role can be challenging. If that new role is a managerial one, the challenges can be even more daunting. You may now be tasked with overseeing your former peers, some of them working in-person while others work remotely. You may now also need to communicate more directly with
KEEP READINGHow invested are you in your employees and their happiness? It costs a huge amount of time and money to invest in hiring and onboarding new staff. So, if you could keep your staff engaged and happy, then you would potentially be saving a small fortune.
KEEP READINGSomeone once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Some people credit the quote to Mark Twain, others to Agatha Christie, and still others to an American businesswoman named Sally Berger. Whoever said it first, the quote is packed full of meaning.
KEEP READINGThe past two or three years have been challenging to say the least. HR has been leading and helping throughout that difficult period. But things haven’t stopped changing yet. We believe there are lots of ways that the correct, focused training can address those challenges already met and those yet to come.
KEEP READINGWhen was the last time you received an email? Sounds like a silly question, doesn’t it? We get them all the time. Many of us may receive dozens or even hundreds of emails a day. This trend is continuing to grow.
KEEP READINGLike it or not, tough conversations are a part of our normal business life. We have interactions that are pleasant, but sometimes we all find ourselves in a situation involving some kind of conflict. Employers and leaders especially so.
KEEP READINGOneNote is one of the greatest unsung success stories ever to come out of Microsoft. It’s the ultimate place to store and share your information in a single, easy-to-access location.
KEEP READINGAdapting to the demands of working remotely has been difficult for many of us. What have you found to be some of the challenges?
KEEP READINGDo you ever take the time to pause and consider your future career goals? You may have some short-term goals, or perhaps you’re already planning for further down the road. Either way, it’s a good idea to include professional development in your planning.
KEEP READINGUniversally, successful businesspeople will tell you to make use of every legitimate advantage you may have. Whether you're the CEO or a Fortune 500 company or a with online store, you need to seize whatever advantages others are giving you.
KEEP READINGLots of things are happening quickly. The workplace you are working in has probably changed from a year or two ago. The ways in which we interact with one another have changed too.
KEEP READINGMore and more people realize the benefits and the enjoyment of listening to podcasts, and we are proud to announce the recent launch of The Great Canadian Leadership Podcast.
KEEP READINGHow many apps do you have installed on your smartphone? Now, how many of them do you use regularly? Probably only 4 or 5, out of the possibly dozens installed?
KEEP READINGWe may be socially distanced from one another at the moment, but we can still work closely as a team and as an organization. Microsoft Teams is the ideal tool for keeping us working closely together despite not being physically together.
KEEP READINGWhen was the last time you were part of a business meeting in an actual room with a dozen or more people? Do you remember that buzz of energy? The interactions and the banter?
KEEP READINGGone are the days when you bought your Microsoft programs and then installed them out of a box. Like many other software giants, Microsoft has been moving towards a subscription-based system.
KEEP READINGWhen you think of software training, there’s a good chance you mainly consider the roles of the student and the trainer. But there are lots of moving parts when it comes to putting together a successful training session. This month let’s look at the more behind-the-scenes role played by the training organizer.
KEEP READINGIt is probably fair to say that many of us will never forget the past few years since 2020. Our day-to-day lives were put on hold. We found new ways to work, stay fit, visit our friends and family, and more. As many organizations worked on organizing their teams into a new way of working, something that may have been missed is the opportunity to gain personal job development with software training.
KEEP READINGWhen something is accessible, it means that it can be operated by literally anyone. Some experiences work well for some people but other experiences create issues that range from simple annoyances to impossibilities. Accessibility then refers to the experience of users who might be outside the narrow range of the “typical” user, who might access or interact with things differently than you expect; specifically, users who are experiencing some type of impairment or disability.
KEEP READINGWriting concise, effective reports and persuasive proposals are essential skills for business people at every level. Poorly crafted reports often miss important details and don’t clearly describe the issue to be resolved or the suggested solutions. This can leave readers confused and misinformed, causing unnecessary and sometimes damaging delays in getting the focus of the report sorted out.
KEEP READINGEffective communication is an essential skill in business. Few people have a problem with this when face to face with a boss, colleague, or client. However, making the transition to writing can be far more challenging.
KEEP READING“Constantly evolving and sometimes confusing” is the definition of the modern workplace. New tools and apps are coming all the time, and the way we’ve worked in the past can change on short notice, leaving us floundering for the correct solutions.
KEEP READINGIt’s not an understatement to say that the Adobe Creative Cloud is the most powerful creative software package on the planet. No matter your preferred form of digital expression, Adobe has a tool designed specifically for that task, and sometimes a few!
KEEP READINGBusiness decisions are not made without careful thought and deliberation.Often, we look to our data to help us understand our business needs, future projections, and other key pieces of information.However, understanding and analyzing data can be difficult if your data is disorganized.It is much easier to communicate and share your data when it’s organized and visually appealing.How can you get your data organized and coherent? Enter Power BI.
KEEP READINGMany clients who contact us know they need a database – but what is the next step? Creating a database can feel like trying to ask the mechanic to look at the noise in your car.
KEEP READINGSince 1985, Compuease has offered best-in-class learning, helping you make learning easy. We grew to one of Ottawa’s premier training companies, leading the way in workplace computer and professional skills training. Training organizers and participants alike noted our excellence in customer service and our focus on providing practical and engaging training.
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