8 Technologies That Shouldn't Require Training, But Do

As an IT pro, having access to training gives you many options to learn about various technologies, techniques, and best practices. But imagine if you could provide this same base of knowledge to everyone in your organization for the technologies they're working with daily.

End-user training is not at the top of every company's list of priorities, but it very well should be. Training for workplace essentials, such as Microsoft Office or Windows 10, can give your entire organization what they need to know, freeing up your IT team's time to tackle the bigger-picture issues they're facing.

To show you what possibilities exist for training your entire office, here are eight technologies that you should consider training all users on to lead to major efficiencies and optimal success. You can also get started on training with a CBT Nuggets subscription.

1. Word

Microsoft Word is an industry-standard application, and if your most novice teammate knows any product in the Microsoft Office suite, it will likely be this one. However, the latest Word version has improved features they might not know about.

CBT Nuggets trainer Simona Millham's Microsoft Word 2016 course covers core functionalities such as working with text and files. Then it progresses to more advanced techniques such as styles, mail merge, collaboration, templates, graphics, and reference tools.

This may seem intuitive, but making sure everyone is on the same page about basic technologies like Microsoft Word will allow your end users to produce at maximum efficiency and your IT team more time to take on bigger-picture projects.

2. Excel

There is a lot of room for Kill to build out extensive spreadsheets of data. When you stack formulas on top of one another, one keystroke can throw everything off balance. Add multiple team members to the mix of one super spreadsheet, and the chance of a catastrophic but small mistake increases exponentially.

Simona also released a course on Microsoft Excel (Office 365 & 2021) that can give your team the know-how to work with Excel and prevent the most common Kills. Beginning with spreadsheet basics, this course quickly progresses to more advanced functionalities such as data visualization, charts, PivotTables, What-If Analysis, and templates.

Although Excel training won't prevent every Kill, someone who understands the issues involved in working with Excel is far less likely to mess something up and come running to you for help.

3. Powerpoint

Most people within your organization have probably at least heard of Powerpoint if they haven't experienced "death by Powerpoint" themselves. It seems straightforward enough: You build out pretty displays of your data or information to present to your team. However, some relatively hidden features within the software can turn your team into Powerpoint super-users!

Simona's Microsoft Excel (Office 365 & 2021) covers the basics of creating PowerPoint presentations before progressing quickly to more advanced functionality, including collaboration, diagram tips, themes, templates, animation, action buttons, video, and audio.

4. Outlook

There are plenty of email apps built for the workplace, but the interconnectedness of the Microsoft Office 365 suite of products is leading organizations to use Outlook. They are discovering all the possibilities that Microsoft's email application can bring to their collaboration and communication. With all of these opportunities come many tips and shortcuts that may not be obvious to your entire team.

Simona's Microsoft Outlook (Office 365 & 2021) course covers the platform and some of the most important tips for success. From the basics of sending and organizing emails to working with multiple email accounts, archiving, automation, customizing forms, and tracking time, Outlook training can help your team spend less time shuffling through email and more time taking on larger tasks.

5. Microsoft Teams

The ability to collaborate digitally in the workplace is one of many things that makes working in the 21st century a worthwhile experience. There are plenty of options that your team can download to connect quickly and easily, but the interconnectedness of Office 365 makes Microsoft Teams fit seamlessly into your team's flow. Each chat platform comes with its own quirks that make it unique to use, and Microsoft Teams is no exception.

Simona built out a course for CBT Nuggets to teach users about Microsoft Teams. This platform overview includes topics such as creating and working with Teams, channels and collaboration, private chats and working with wikis and bots.

Giving your team the tools to communicate effectively, whether through Microsoft Teams or some other chat app, will provide them with an easy, uniform method of addressing issues, leading to an open, inclusive, and overall more productive workplace.

6. Windows 10 Essentials

The latest version of the Windows operating system comes with a Tips app pre-installed, but you can do so much more to make it run smoothly for your specific needs.

CBT Nuggets trainer James Conrad's Windows 10 End-User Essentials course dives deep into the OS, teaching your team about desktop familiarity and customization, file and folder management, web browsers, apps, and networking within the OS.

Learning about all the intricacies of Windows 10 will ensure that your team isn't stuck fumbling around with the OS and can instead dive in and get work done.

7. Salesforce

Investing in a customer relationship management (CRM) platform like Salesforce is a big deal. It allows your entire team to connect with your customers in a way that will ideally nurture sales of your product. That said, your users must be fully trained to realize all the benefits of your Salesforce implementation.

CBT Nuggets trainer Jamie Grettum's Salesforce Lightning Interface course will teach your team how to navigate and personalize Salesforce Lightning and perform common and essential tasks, such as interacting with the navigation bar, creating and managing accounts, working with leads and opportunities, and more.

For anyone who manages their Salesforce training, this Salesforce training can be used to onboard new employees, curated into individual or team training plans, or as a Salesforce reference resource.

8. iOS 11

iOS 11 gives your devices a sparkling new interface that might be intuitive to some but not necessarily to others. You wouldn't think that someone on your team would require training on how to use their shiny, new iPhone X (or an older iPhone running the OS, for that matter), but for some people within your team, this might be the case.

Anthony Sequeira's new iOS 11 End-User Essentials course can help get your team up to speed on the newest OS for iPhones and iPads. The OS includes some new tools for better managing your photos, videos, and files, a new way to customize your home screen, and some new features that will make multitasking much easier.

Bonus: Securing Your Technology

Everyone within your company, from your IT manager to your front desk person, has a part to play in ensuring your company's information stays secure and never falls into the wrong hands. The one way you can avoid constant firefighting and protect your company's data preemptively is by training your team on security best practices.

Keith Barker's End-User Security Awareness course will help educate your company on the latest social engineering attack methods, the most common password mistakes, the wonders of two-factor authentication, and even how to respond to security incidents.

Keeping networks and data is no longer only your responsibility. Everyone from the CEO to the sales team needs security awareness training,

Wrapping Up

End users within your company require more access to and help with devices and solutions than ever before, which often renders your IT team unable to work on the complex challenges that prevent your business from streamlining, scaling, and responding quickly to changing markets.

Investing in training in the technologies your organization is working with will give everyone the tools they need to succeed. Take the first step by learning more about the variety of end-user training that CBT Nuggets offers, and don't forget to ask us how you can make end-user training affordable for your entire team.