Background
As we move forward in these highly competitive times, increasing the productivity and efficiency of our operations are the core issues that we face in today’s markets. While conducting a productivity review it has come to my notice that some members of my serious staff are facing hindrance in their work and are unable to perform at their maximum, simply because they require more training in the desktop software suite that we use, Microsoft Office (ehow.com). This problem can be solved easily if we conduct an MS Office Workshop.
Scope and Objectives
The workshop intends to give the selected batch of employees a solid foundation of the basics of using MS Office. The main objective is to make the employees understand how the different software’s within the suite can interact with each other. This includes knowledge and skills to import data from Excel into Word, incorporating graphics into PowerPoint presentations and learning how to use Excel to your advantage while analyzing or working with quantitative data. Furthermore the workshop also aims to give the participants a cursory knowledge of MS Access, MS Publisher and MS Outlook to further enhance productivity and reduce time wastage. And finally teaching the participants, the importance and relevance of MS Office in increasing productivity and efficiency in our routine day-to-day business operations (emagister.co.uk). The course is totally interactive and will rely on two-way communication and participant feedback. The participants are encouraged to bring the kind of documents and problems they usually come across during work.
Furthermore the Workshop will include pre and post Workshop performance and knowledge analysis to come to a conclusive idea as to whether the Workshop helped the participants increase their comfort level in Ms Office or not.
Facilitators
The name of the company that will provide the courses and tutors for the workshop is Computer Graphics Training. The company was founded in 1992 and is highly reputed and recommended for MS Office workshops largely due to their emphasis on using latest technology combined with a reliable training method of interactive hands-on training using books, notes and multimedia to suit the needs of the various participants. With over 10 years of relevant experience under their belt, Computer Graphics Training promises to conduct a workshop that will help our organization reach the desired levels of productivity and efficiency in the shortest amount of time possible. The Clients the company has previously extended its services to include, Washington Post, Stanley and Morgan Law Firm and Washington Police Department.
Location and Cost
In order to conduct the workshop we will need space and ready-to-use computers so that the participants could get hands-on learning experience. Unfortunately, we do not have such an environment on our office premises. I propose we rent out a computer lab in the nearby University of Washington for a fortnight (duration of the workshop), from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (the timings the workshop will be conducted in). The Lab has the computers and the multimedia facilities that are essential to the coursework of this Workshop. Furthermore the Lab is only a block away from our office premises so transportation and time will not be an issue. We could use the spare company van to transport the participants there daily. I have conducted a preliminary research by conducting an informal meeting with university administration. The Administration has agreed on renting out their Lab for a price of $200. Transportation Costs (Fuel) approximately amount to $70, and miscellaneous expenses are estimated at $100. Add this to the Workshop fee of $400 charged by the Computer Graphics Training Company and the total estimated cost of conducting the workshop amounts to $770, a reasonable price to pay if we can reach our required efficiency and productivity levels.
Marketing and Evaluation
As the workshop is being conducted for our employees only, therefore it will be marketed internally only. A flier will be made and posted on the office notice board which will communicate the course detail, activities, timings and benefits to all employees. Any employee who wishes to enroll will have to talk to me. I will construct a list and then shortlist the participants according to their skill and knowledge levels. Employees lower on skill land knowledge levels will be selected first. A notice and relevant details of the workshop will also be posted on the company website.
After the coursework is completed post Workshop analysis and evaluation will be conducted. This will be done by conducting VIVA sessions to test knowledge which will be followed by practical hands-on tests on the computers to assess the improvement in the level of skill. The results will be tabulated and the participant showing the highest level of improvement will be acknowledged. Certificates of participation will also be distributed amongst the participants. A report will be developed and will be sent to you for further analysis.
Conclusion
This workshop can equip our employees with the necessary hands-on knowledge and skills to increase our productivity and reduce time wastage. It will enable us to gain a competitive edge over our rivals plus it will also increase the level of motivation of our employees. Participants from different departments will come together and can learn from each other and this will increase cohesion in our workforce (it.toolbox.com). Therefore I look forward to your positive response at your earliest convenience.
References
Craig Borysowich, “Enterprise Implementation Issues & Solutions”, 2009. Web.
“Introduction to Microsoft Office in Hildenborough”, 2009. Web.
Trisha Bartle, “Advantages of Microsoft Office”, 2009. Web.