The invention and development of computers and business software have impacted the wider world of business. From the basics of labor to the peak of business leadership, no matter your job or industry, a few technical skills are vital in becoming a well-rounded professional. Here are two helpful technology areas that everyone can use for business improvement, self-improvement, and simply staying on top of modern business tech without going deep into a digital or technical field.
Coding — It’s For Everyone
Even basic coding abilities using HTML and CSS can make a plethora of workplace computer tasks easier. If you want to gain specific skills, such as the ability to automate tasks and write scripts, learning coding is the fast-track to doing that!
Automation is a hot topic in the tech world, and it’s easy to understand why. Why should you have to do hundreds or thousands of the same task when you could tell the system to do it automatically? Scripting is the entry-level to code that allows users to type a few commands that can open files, enter specific details, or run programs. With good script techniques, you can combine all of those options and more to automate tasks and improve your overall productivity.
If you’re going to learn to script, you’ll need to learn a coding language. You don’t need to become a production programmer to learn the basics of languages such as Python and HTML, and the knowledge will help you use computers more efficiently. The good news is, coding knowledge will also take the mystery out of technical errors. Many software errors are written in a form of shorthand that explains how and why a program or task isn’t working. Armed with the knowledge of how something works—or the specifics of why it doesn’t—you can either make your own improvements or give developers better ideas of how they can help you.
Spreadsheets — The Key to Productivity
Knowing how to use Microsoft Office and Google Docs is vital in modern business. Still, with new productivity software cropping up left and right, knowing how to use standard software is just as important as adopting new knowledge. There’s no shortage of advanced ways to use productivity programs, ranging from appearance to better ways to pack in the information that matters.
Spreadsheet programs such as Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and Lotus Symphony all have advanced ways to calculate information and even run scripts. Remember the coding section? You can use many programming languages here, and see the intersection of technical capabilities with productivity!
Spreadsheets are the cornerstone of productivity, as they can serve as databases for all kinds of departments, teams, and tasks. A simple spreadsheet can save you several minutes each day, and you’d better believe that the time saved over the course of a year is enormous!
To maximize your productivity, learn how to link cells, create relationships, and compare details. A little extra knowledge can go a long way and help you spend more time working and less time searching for information.