Prepare to Excel

13/06/2026

Did I mention I own a set of 17-year-old twin boys? Here’s an insight…

One is obsessed with sport and calisthenics. The other is on the spectrum and has a memory like a sieve! Both of them are slowly learning all the life skills that come with growing up.

As you can imagine, personal hygiene is occasionally a topic of conversation.

Rather than saying:
“You need a shower.”

I’ll sometimes just lead with :
“You smell like roses on a summer’s day.”

They know exactly what I mean. It’s sarcasm. It’s gentle. And it’s usually met with an eye roll and a laugh! They know me well!

It got me thinking about how often we focus on what’s wrong rather than how we communicate it.

The message still lands. The shower still happens. But nobody feels criticised or embarrassed.

The older I get, the more I realise that reframing isn’t about avoiding reality.

It’s about finding a way to address it so that it keeps people’s dignity intact.

Whether we’re talking to our children, colleagues, clients or friends, a little kindness can make a difficult message much easier to hear.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m in the middle of cleaning the house and I must get back to it. I smell divine today. 🌹😂

10/06/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 #𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬

This week we're looking at one of my favourite Excel features: Tables.

I'm a huge advocate for converting datasets into Tables, and yet they are still surprisingly underused.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫?
Tables don't just make your spreadsheets look better. They unlock functionality that can save time, reduce errors and make your workbooks easier to maintain.

Some of the main benefits:
✅ New rows automatically inherit formulas and formatting
✅Charts can expand automatically as your data grows
✅Easier integration with Pivot Tables and Charts
✅Structured references reduce the need for absolute cell referencing in formulas such as XLOOKUP
✅Built-in features such as Total Rows, Banded Rows and Slicers
✅Better compatibility with Power Query, Power Pivot and modern Excel features.

However - not all datasets are created equal. If you're struggling with messy spreadsheets, duplicate data, inconsistent structures or data that simply doesn't behave the way you'd like - feel free to get in touch. Sometimes a dataset needs a little normalisation before it can really shine.

I'm currently offering a 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 30-𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - we can take a look at your workbook together and identify opportunities for improvement.

Book via: [email protected] or telephone 07890 764316

03/06/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬....

Each week we'll share a practical tip, feature or technique designed to help you get more from Excel, Microsoft 365 and workplace technology.

We're starting with Data Validation - one of the simplest ways to improve data quality and reduce spreadsheet errors.

By using a dropdown list, you can help ensure data is entered consistently, making reports more reliable and reducing time spent cleaning up mistakes later.

Even better - if your data is stored in an Excel Table, Data Validation is automatically applied to new rows as your table grows, helping you maintain consistency without additional effort.

Small change. Big impact.

Think Data Validation is just a simple dropdown?

You can also apply Data Validation to dates, numbers and text entries - not just dropdown lists. It's a simple way to prevent common mistakes before they happen.

Next time we'll look at how to link it to a separate table and create self-updating dropdown lists.

Keep watching... 🙂

What Excel feature would you like us to cover in a future Work Hack Wednesday?

02/06/2026

We spend a lot of time talking about getting young people into work.

We spend far less time talking about what happens once they get there.

Recently, I saw a young person take on their first part-time job.

It got me thinking.

A first job isn’t just about earning money.

It’s often where someone learns:
• How workplaces operate
• What professional communication looks like
• Their rights and responsibilities
• How payroll works
• What it feels like to be valued

Or not - for some.

For many young people, a first job is their introduction to the world of work.

That’s why employers have such an important role to play.

A contract explained.
Health and safety covered.
Clear expectations.
Support when questions arise.
A little patience while someone learns.

These things might feel routine to an experienced manager.

To a young person, they can make all the difference.

The first experience of work can shape confidence, expectations and attitudes for years to come.

If we genuinely want young people to thrive, we need to think beyond simply creating opportunities.

We need to think about the experience we give them once they’re through the door.

A first job should be more than a payslip.

It should be a chance to learn, grow and build confidence.

What was your first job, and what did it teach you?

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

Manual admin is exhausting.

Not because the work is difficult.

Because the constant little tasks quietly drain time and energy all day.

Copying information between systems.
Chasing updates.
Rewriting the same emails.
Manually updating reports.
Searching for the latest version of a file.

A lot of this can now be simplified with better workflows, automation and smarter use of workplace tools.

Most people do not need to work harder.

They just need systems that work better.

Technology should make work feel lighter.
Not more complicated.

If there’s a repetitive process driving you mad at work right now, message me. I’m always happy to suggest practical ways to simplify things.

19/05/2026

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠?

You are definitely not alone.

So many people use Excel every day without ever being properly shown the basics - and it can really affect confidence at work and when applying for jobs.

That’s exactly why I created this Beginner Excel Kickstart session.

This friendly, hands-on course is designed to help you:
✔ feel more confident using Excel
✔ create simple spreadsheets
✔ use basic formulas and functions
✔ keep data organised and easy to understand
✔ build practical workplace skills employers value

No complicated jargon.
No expectation that you 'should already know this'.
Just supportive, practical learning at a comfortable pace.

📍 Stockton-on-Tees
🗓 Thursday 4 June 2026
⏰ 9:30am – 4:30pm
💷 £100 per person

Perfect for:
- job seekers
- office workers
- career changers
- people returning to work
- anyone wanting to improve their digital skills

Feel free to message me if you’d like more information or want to book a place.

19/05/2026

It’s today!!! I’m joining from home today. The laptop is hooked to the big telly! The walking treadmill is out. The snacks are ready! Beyond excited for GES 2026.

17/05/2026

I’m really proud and excited to be hosting this session.

I spend a lot of time helping people build confidence with Excel - and one thing comes up again and again…

I meet people of all ages who are brilliant at their jobs, but feel completely thrown by spreadsheets.

Not because they can’t learn it.
But because it’s never properly clicked.

Spreadsheets feel messy.
Formulas feel unpredictable.
And it ends up feeling more complicated than it needs to be.

That’s what I want to change.

I focus on building digital confidence and capability - calming the chaos, and helping Excel finally make sense. Be warned though: my enthusiasm for Excel is contagious!

No prior experience is needed.
Please bring your own laptop or Mac with Microsoft Excel installed (rather than Apple Numbers).
A recent version of Excel (e.g. Microsoft 365 or Excel 2019+) is recommended for the best experience.

📍 Stockton Employment & Training Hub
📅 Thursday 4th June 2026
⏰ 9:30 - 16:30
💻Max Attendees: 10
📞 07890 764316
🌐 https://bit.ly/KickstartExcel