For over three decades, Janet Lienhard has dedicated her career to helping professionals harness the full potential of software tools. Specializing in Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, Janet empowers businesses to improve productivity by revealing time-saving strategies and techniques.
The Journey to Expertise
Janet’s extensive experience in software training began in the 1980s, where she was among the first certified WordPerfect instructors. Over time, as Microsoft tools became ubiquitous in the workplace, Janet shifted her focus to mastering and teaching these applications. Her passion lies in simplifying complex tasks and enabling professionals to complete work in minutes instead of hours.
Why Specialize in Microsoft 365?
Microsoft’s dominance in corporate environments makes a deep understanding of its suite indispensable. Janet recognized the demand for expertise in this area early on and became a Microsoft Action Partner. She now trains individuals and teams to unlock the full functionality of these tools, from basic operations to advanced programming.
Common Challenges in Microsoft 365 Usage
Many users have only a superficial understanding of Microsoft 365 applications, which limits their efficiency. Janet often encounters teams that spend unnecessary hours on tasks that could be accomplished in minutes with the right techniques.
Key pain points include:
Inefficient workflows: Teams rely on outdated methods for routine tasks.
Underutilized tools: Features like pivot tables in Excel or collaborative capabilities in Teams remain largely untapped.
Overwhelmed by emails: Teams helps consolidate communication, reducing reliance on cluttered inboxes.
Time-Saving Strategies
Janet has identified several underutilized features in Microsoft 365 that can transform workflows:
Microsoft Teams: Ideal for collaboration, Teams allows real-time file sharing and edits while reducing email dependency. Separate client workspaces can streamline communication further.
Excel Pivot Tables: By mastering pivot tables, users can analyze thousands of rows of data within seconds, saving significant time on reporting and insights.
Version History: Tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint store file versions, making it easy to revert to previous iterations during collaborative projects.
Shortcuts: Janet provides bite-sized, 60-second tips to teach small but impactful shortcuts that cumulatively save hours of work.
The Role of AI in Productivity
AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, are reshaping how businesses approach tasks. Janet leverages AI for tasks such as creating social media posts, cleaning up large datasets, and even compiling reference materials from existing content. She stresses the importance of crafting detailed prompts to achieve high-quality results, likening AI usage to training an assistant.
Example Use Cases:
Social Media Content: AI generates platform-specific posts with engaging language tailored to Janet’s voice.
Data Cleanup: AI tools can handle tasks like removing rows with blank cells in massive spreadsheets, reducing manual effort to seconds.
Janet advises users to take steps like enabling temporary chats and masking sensitive information when working with AI for confidentiality.
Customizing Training for Maximum Impact
Janet’s training approach is highly personalized. Instead of generic sessions, she tailors her programs to align with clients’ industries and specific challenges. This customization ensures that participants can immediately apply what they’ve learned, driving greater adoption and efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Janet’s mission is to help businesses and individuals work smarter, not harder. By understanding the nuances of Microsoft 365 and leveraging modern tools like AI, companies can achieve significant time savings and improve productivity across the board. Whether it’s through mastering shortcuts or exploring advanced features, Janet’s insights equip her clients with the knowledge to thrive in a tech-driven workplace. To hear Janet’s full journey on Women in Motion, click here: https://businessradiox.com/podcast/women-in-motion/work-smarter/
For more information, visit https://www.virtualinstructor.com/
About Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West (WBEC-West)
WBEC-West is a regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a coalition of corporations, WBEs, and regionally focused women’s business organizations. As an affiliate organization, WBEC-West implements the certification standards of WBENC throughout Arizona, Colorado, Southern California, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam. WBENC is the largest certifier of women’s business enterprises in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs. WBENC certification is nationally recognized and accepted by more than 10,000 major corporations. We also support corporations in their efforts to include WBENC Certified WBEs in their supply chain.
