Five Questions to Ask About Your Microsoft Training Courses

In 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.  

Imagine you are going to a restaurant. The view is perfect. The ambiance is exactly what you were looking for. The wait staff are attentive and prompt, excelling in customer service. However, when your food arrives, it tastes terrible. It's not what you ordered at all - and worse, it's handed to you on a dirty plate. Do you think you'll return to that restaurant? Of course not! 

Likewise, choosing the right training provider involves more than looking at the makeup of their team or even the price. It's looking at the content and delivery of your training.  

In this article, we'll discuss five questions that can help you evaluate the quality of your next training program. Whether you are looking to learn the basics of your Microsoft 365 subscription or dig deeper into one of its programs, such as Microsoft Excel, to learn how to use these tools to increase productivity, this article can help you make that choice. 

1. How Do You Approach Training?  

The approach that your provider takes speaks volumes about the learning experience they offer. Look for one that emphasizes an interactive methodology. An approach that blends theoretical understanding with practical application.  

Why? Because a hands-on, interactive approach to learning is like the difference between reading a recipe and actually cooking the dish. When you actually cook the dish, it reinforces the recipe's steps and instills the practical skills to do so after the class has ended.  

Similarly, it's one thing to talk about Excel's data analytics, but taking it step-by-step in your training session will empower your team to use these technical skills in real-world scenarios. 

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, practical application is at the core of our training philosophy. We understand that theoretical knowledge, while crucial, finds its true value when applied practically.  

That’s why we show participants how to use Microsoft’s tools and features to help them in their everyday tasks. Our courses are about more than just moving through learning paths and modules. We make sure our participants walk away knowing how to implement the principles covered in their session in their own path to success.  

At the end of the day, our training connects the classroom to the boardroom.  

2. Who Will Be Teaching My Instructor? Are They Qualified to Teach Microsoft 365?  

Our instructors don’t just talk the talk – they also walk the walk. They're individuals with hands-on experience in leveraging Microsoft tools - including Microsoft 365 - within diverse workplace environments. They don't just teach from a reference guide; they bring real-world scenarios, case studies, and industry insights into the training sessions. 

Our instructors stay updated on how these tools are actively utilized in the modern workplace. This real-time awareness ensures that our training isn't just about teaching the tools but also about guiding you on how to integrate them seamlessly into your daily professional tasks. 

Consider the restaurant we discussed at the outset. The quality of the meal is not just determined by the quality of the ingredients and taste of the meal - it's about how it's presented.  

Likewise, we ensure that our instructors have exceptional presentation skills. We prioritize your learning experience, and our instructors will engage participants frequently throughout the day. And since our courses leave plenty of time for participants to ask questions, take advantage of their knowledge of Microsoft to take your learning to the next level. 

Consider what just one of our training organizers had to say:  

"Overall, this is the best course I have yet to take with the Government of Canada. The instructor deserves recognition for her work as she was easy to follow along with. She gave the chance for others to ask questions and offered the last hour as a Q&A session to students." Training Organizer Government of Canada

3. When Was the Last Time You Updated Your Microsoft Course Materials? 

Microsoft's commitment to innovation means that tools such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams are constantly being updated. The functionalities available today might differ significantly from what was available a year ago (or even a month ago). 

Imagine wasting your team's time and your organization's resources to learn Microsoft Word or Excel, but the program was not up to date.  

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we regularly look at our courses to ensure that they are up to date and meet the needs of today. We strive to include the latest Microsoft updates and upgrades in our courseware.  

As well, we look at modern workplace training and what will best fit your needs.  

In recognizing the shifting landscape of technology, we've introduced specialized Upskilling workshops. These workshops cater to a learner who possesses a certain level of proficiency in Microsoft products but needs to learn new features and functionalities to sustain their career growth. 

4. How Will I Learn Microsoft Office? 

In your research into learning Microsoft 365, you likely have been tempted to take advantage of free, self-paced training resources.  

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we prioritize a different approach—our training is instructor-led, whether conducted online or in person. Why? Because we've witnessed firsthand how the guidance and expertise of a qualified instructor elevate the learning experience to new heights. 

Learning in an environment with a seasoned trainer provides more than just knowledge —it offers personalized guidance. Our instructors are equipped not only to teach but also to understand and address the specific learning needs of individuals. They can discern when extra time is needed on a subject or when a principle needs to be discussed more in-depth. As noted, we encourage an interactive environment. Questions are welcomed and encouraged.  

As well, we also offer post-training support. We know how often you may need to ask just one more question or go over one of the skills that you learned about in class - and post-training technical support gives you the platform to do so.  



5. How Do You Connect What We Learn in Training to Our Day-to-Day Roles? 

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we understand that the ultimate goal of training is to empower your team to excel in their roles. Throughout this article, we have noted that our courses and training are designed to help you use Microsoft 365 on your path to greater success.  

Any training that you take with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company is designed to connect your learning to your workplace. As we mentioned above, we pride ourselves on providing training that is practical – training that you will actually use! 

However, our private training sessions elevate the learning experience to a whole new level. We recommend private training when multiple members of your team require training. Why? Because it allows us to tailor your learning to your specific work environment.  

We can create custom Microsoft courses based on what your team needs to learn the most. For example, your team may want to learn some of the topics covered in Excel Level 2 and some covered in Excel Level 3. Instead of taking both courses in their entirety, we may be able to create a custom outline that covers only the topics that are most relevant to how your team uses Excel.  

We also leverage your actual working files instead of generic exercise files, enabling your team to apply newly acquired skills to real projects and workflows immediately. 

Modern Workplace Training with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company 

Choosing the right Microsoft training program is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about empowering yourself and your team with the skills needed to thrive in today's dynamic workplace. At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, our commitment goes beyond teaching the ins and outs of Microsoft tools. We focus on practicality, relevance, and seamless integration into your daily roles. Whether through our instructor-led sessions, personalized private training, or Upskilling workshops, we're dedicated to ensuring that your learning experience isn't just informative but transformative.  

Take the next step towards mastering Microsoft tools by exploring our array of courses tailored to suit your needs. Browse our available courses today and embark on your team's path to greater success.