By Stuart Box

Office 365 Virtual Classrooms Webex 21st January 2013

Work is an activity, not a place

Back in the 'naughties' I worked with UK Online for Business, encouraging companies to take up Broadband internet access. One of the phrases we used then was "Work is an activity not a place" explaining how Broadband ADSL would enable us to work from anywhere that was broadband enabled, reducing the need to travel or commute to designated "Places of Work". We were partly right, but the message was a little too soon. Mobile computing was in its infancy, laptops… Read More

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By Stuart Box

Training 8th October 2012

Thinking about training your staff?

It's very common that a department, group, or individual will say "I/We need training in ……". I've blogged before about the questions to ask a potential external Training Provider, but here are a few questions you should be asking internally before going ahead with Training. Training in what exactly? It's good to delve a little deeper into the need for training. People could say they need training in Word, but on asking further you may find they are having problems… Read More

By Stuart Box

Cloud Microsoft Office 365 11th April 2012

The great Office 365 Turn Off

After nearly twelve years I've finally been able to turn our Server off, permanently! Most businesses need a server, something that collects and redistributes email, stores files, manages users and communications, stuff like that, and we are no exception. Our first server, way back in 2000 was a second-hand laptop, running Linux that ran "sendmail" and other arcane Linux applications. That "server" sat in the loft and just about managed our email and internet. Back in those days, we had a… Read More

By Stuart Box

Cloud Microsoft Office 365 26th March 2012

Off to the Cloud

At Burningsuit we've been thinking of going wholly over to "The Cloud"  for some time. We run a Microsoft Small Business Server here that runs our Email on Microsoft Exchange, data storage and backup and a few other usefull things. It's been good and worked well, but Small Business Server 2008 is getting a little dated, and recently the uninterruptable power supply it's connected to has been flashing an amber light telling us it's time to renew the batteries. Bits of… Read More

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By Stuart Box

Training 23rd January 2012

Train the benefits

John W. Box - SalesmanMy father was a salesman. His working life was spent in what was then called "Gent's Outfitting", but we'd probably call it "Retail" today. He could sell anything to anyone, he was a natural salesman who was interested in his customers, but who also took time to study the sales profession. As a consequence we discussed sales techniques around the family dining table, and when I started working in Computers, Dad gave me some welcome sales… Read More

By Stuart Box

Training 10th January 2012

12 Questions to ask your Training Provider

So, you've decided to get some onsite computer training for your staff, great. Onsite training in Microsoft Applications can really enhance productivity, and shows you value your workforce. However there are countless onsite training companies to choose from. How will you make your selection? Here is a list of 12 questions we think you should be asking any prospective training provider. 1) Can I speak to a Trainer? Surprisingly many training companies are simply training supplier agencies, who locate the… Read More

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By Stuart Box

Training 5th January 2012

Turn Herbert’s face to the wall Mother – Training room layouts

“Turn Herbert’s face to the wall Mother, never more mention his name, he brought disgrace to the family, ain’t it a bloomin shame” My dear old Mum, who knew lots of old music-hall songs, used to burst into this one whenever someone was facing the wrong way at the dinner table, and it comes to my mind whenever I walk into certain training rooms. It seems to me that some training rooms were designed more for the benefit of the… Read More

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By Stuart Box

Online Training Virtual Classrooms Webex 19th August 2011

New Book “Facilitating Live Online Learning” by Colin Steed

Returning from my summer break, this book was waiting for me in the post. I'd known that Colin was working on this book for some time and its now published and available. [Full Disclosure: Colin is a colleague and friend; I deliver the Certified Online Learning Facilitator courses on behalf of the IIT, but receive no income from this book] If Live Online Training is to realise so many potential costs savings and efficiencies and to grow to become a… Read More

By Alison Box

FAQ Microsoft Office 2010 3rd June 2011

Microsoft Office 2010 – Top 10 FAQ’s

From our experience, businesses are rapidly moving over to Microsoft Office 2010, in some cases "leapfrogging" versions and going from 2003 or even earlier releases straight to 2010. I've already blogged about our "12 Top Tips for 2010" and "Upgrade Help", but we're getting other questions as people get over the immediate change and start using it day to day. I thought I'd post the Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions from attendees on our 2010 training courses, hopefully this will answer… Read More

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By Alison Box

Microsoft Office 2010 Training 1st December 2010

Twelve Top Tips for Office 2010

How are you getting on with Microsoft Office 2010? We think it's great, and are seeing an increasing number of clients implementing it in the last few weeks. It looks like 2011 will be the year of 2010! If you're new to Office 2010 or have just been migrated over to it, we thought we'd document our Twelve Top Tips for Twenty Ten. Remember we can also help with Office 2010 Upgrade training either On-site or Online. 1. Keep getting… Read More

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