Behind the Project
How We Customized Excel & Access Training for the British Red Cross
A look behind the scenes at how a one-on-one training engagement went from an initial email to customized Excel and Access training delivered across multiple countries.
Where It Started
It started with a simple request.
A Finance, Grants Management and Compliance Senior Officer with the British Red Cross contacted Excel and Access, LLC looking for one-on-one training in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.
But before recommending a training package, we needed to understand what she already knew, what she wanted to learn, and how she expected to use each application in her work.
The Initial Request
“I am interested to advance my skills in excel and access training (one to one training).”
Finance, Grants Management and Compliance Senior Officer
British Red Cross – MENA & Mediterranean Region
Step 1 — Understand the Requirement
We didn’t start with a course. We started with questions.
The client had never used Microsoft Access and wanted to begin with the fundamentals. Her goal was to understand how Access could help with reporting and how it differed from relying entirely on Excel.
Her Excel requirements were very different. She already used Excel regularly in Finance and wanted to advance her skills in areas such as formulas, PivotTables, charts, analysis, and macros.
Two Applications. Two Different Starting Points.
Microsoft Excel
Build on existing skills.
The client was already an experienced Excel user. Training could therefore concentrate on advancing the skills most relevant to her Finance work, including formulas, PivotTables, charts, analysis, and related techniques.
Microsoft Access
Start with the fundamentals.
Access was completely new to the client. The training therefore began with database fundamentals before moving into queries, relationships, tables, forms, reports, importing and exporting data, and VBA.
Step 2 — Customize the Training
Make the training relevant to the work.
Rather than forcing the client through a predefined curriculum, the training was built around her requirements and delivered at her pace.
For the Access portion, we also asked for examples of the client’s existing workbooks so the training could be tailored toward the type of data and reporting she actually worked with. Sensitive information could be replaced with sample values before sharing.
Step 3 — Bring in the Right Specialists
Geography didn’t determine who taught the client.
This was an international engagement. The client was based in Lebanon, the Excel trainer was in New York, the Access specialist was in London, and Excel and Access, LLC coordinated the project from Irvine, California.
Client
Excel Training
Access Training
Project Coordination
Step 4 — Deliver and Adapt
Live. One-on-one. Remote. Recorded.
The sessions were delivered remotely and one-on-one, allowing the client to ask questions and work directly with each trainer rather than follow the pace of a group class.
Scheduling was also flexible. When circumstances required a session to be moved, the schedule was adjusted and the training continued when the client was ready.
The Result
Better equipped. More confident.
The client completed the planned Excel and Access training, explored additional topics as questions arose, and reported that she had learned a great deal and felt more confident using the applications.
In the Client’s Words
“I feel better equipped and more confident. Thank you for your patience and knowledge sharing!”
Finance, Grants Management and Compliance Senior Officer
British Red Cross – MENA & Mediterranean Region
Project Summary
Read the British Red Cross Case Study
For the concise project overview, training topics, solution, and results, visit the complete British Red Cross client case study.
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