This article features excerpts from an online chat session I recently had with a friend who works for a multinational, about learning to build Custom MS Excel-Visual Basic Spreadsheet Apps at work. It’s a skill you can QUIETLY acquire, and use to attract career advancement opportunities of all kinds!
I KNOW, Because I’ve Done It Before!
Many of my past career development articles (here’s a popular one) offer details. My resume also provides case studies (click here to read).
That’s why I won’t waste time discussing the achievements I recorded using this skill. But I will say this.
Having that skill, and being willing to creatively – and selflessly – put it to use for the benefit of my colleagues and our employer (the company) was the key.
Doing so eventually made me a workplace champion who got rewarded REPEATEDLY with amazing career advancement opportunities!
And I earned those opportunities, in a fraction of the time it took others to record similar career. progress.
Why? Because no one else could do what I could do. And no one else was willing to put in the time, effort and sacrifice like I did. All that made me stand out. And the company’s decision makers took notice – eventually.
If you want to achieve the same, or better results, you WILL have to keep the foregoing in mind. Very important!
The gentleman who converses with me below, works with a large multinational. The details of our conversation are useful in that he asked questions and I offered details that basically spell out what ANYONE ELSE (including YOU, reading this now) may find useful.
Especially about how I can help you learn how to develop Custom Automated MS Excel-VB Software Apps, for your employer – or indeed clients!
TIP: SG is simply a place holder for his actual name, which I’ve removed for the obvious need to protect his privacy.
====Transcript Begins=====
[3/7/2014 2:26:10 PM] SG: Tayo Solagbade, how u dey now??
[3/7/2014 2:27:23 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Hey SG. I’m good. Nice to connect with you again
[3/7/2014 2:27:53 PM] SG: yes ooo, me too.
[3/7/2014 2:28:44 PM] SG: I was looking thru ur self development nuggets and I was amazed at how far u have developed in this area
[3/7/2014 2:28:59 PM] SG: with fact u r also a motivational speaker??
[3/7/2014 2:29:40 PM] SG: I may need your services on Advanced Spread(sheet) usage for my work….what does that look like??
[3/7/2014 2:30:39 PM] SG: I use MS Excel (Spreadsheet) in its basic form but there is d need to apply advanced touch for d sake of efficiency and better output…
[3/7/2014 2:31:33 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Ok. Gimme a moment…
[3/7/2014 2:31:40 PM] SG: ok….
[3/7/2014 2:39:07 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Hi SG. Had to call up a boiler plate response I normally send to enquirers. Take a read through below, then let me know your thoughts. Should take you a minute or two:
[3/7/2014 2:39:21 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Yes, I offer one-on-one coaching, and/or video tutorials and PDF for users of MS Excel in different areas, and at different levels of expertise.
However, most times what I create are custom and “Job Based” learning resources, NOT general/abstract ones.
For instance the learner is asked to specify tasks that s/he wants to be able to use MS Excel to (more) COMPETENTLY carry out on his/her job.
A. What tasks do you want to get done more competently?
B. How do you currently get them done?
C. What MS Excel functions or tools do you feel you need to master, and why?
Then I ask the person to (if possible) supply samples of raw data and/or workbooks s/he uses (dummy data can be posted in them for confidentiality).
S/he would specify what his/her expectations are, in terms of what s/he hopes to learn and be able to do.
Using the information supplied, I am typically able to create:
1. detailed screen shot PDF guides that give step by step instructions, with images, on how to execute each task in Excel.
2. Video tutorials that demonstrate the LIVE process of carrying out each task.
Now, unless the learner does not supply relevant work related sample data and resources (e.g. worksheets), ALL guides and tutorials are created using examples based on the learner’s familiar real life worksheets and data.
This ensures you achieve experiential learning that you can put to immediate use on your job, to achieve your desired goal.
So that’s an outline of my methodology.
Next Steps:
If you decide to take this forward, we need to have a formal “Needs Analysis” Conversation, during which I’ll ask you the above questions, plus others, to get a firm understanding of your needs.
Typically I call you via mobile phone (or Skype if possible).
You will also be able to ask me any questions you have.
Duration: 30 minutes at the most.
NB: Payment of a N10,000 (Ten thousand naira) fee is required to book this needs analysis session.
And it is required 100% in advance.
After the session, I send you a formal PDF report of what I propose to prepare for you as learning resources, and what the required investment is.
I include, in addition, my experience based recommendations of how you can go about learning what you need by yourself, in case the DIY approach appeals to you.
If however, you choose to engage me to prepare the custom PDF guides and/or video tutorials for you, you get a 100% refund of the N10k payment made for the needs analysis session.
Let me know what you think, and/or if you’d like to book the Needs Analysis session.
[3/7/2014 2:40:28 PM] SG: ok, I will be right with you when done reading thru
[3/7/2014 2:40:42 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Ok
[3/7/2014 2:44:48 PM] SG: ok am thru, I will like to book d Needs Analysis Session….but let me inwards and put together the areas I need assistance…..
[3/7/2014 2:45:10 PM | Edited 2:45:48 PM] SG: as for d down payment, it will be handled as required above..
[3/7/2014 3:25:55 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Ok. <text deleted>
<text deleted>
[3/7/2014 4:34:35 PM] SG: I could plan a trip to Cotonou to see you, I’ve been once or twice.
<text deleted>
[3/10/2014 12:06:37 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Just seeing this. Just call +229-66-122-136 when you get in. Interestingly, I just popped in Saturday nite to check details of a hotel in Oko Oba towards Saturday’s workshop on behalf of a Farm CEO who paid to attend from Warri. Wow. The fuel scarcity nuisance’s ripple effect are still being felt out here!! <text deleted>
<text deleted>
[3/10/2014 12:07:39 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Will return to Cotonou this p.m or tomorrow morning. My mobile number in Benin will not work while I’m here, so my number here is best: 08033021263
[3/10/2014 12:08:36 PM] SG: ok
[3/10/2014 12:08:44 PM] SG: I will call u shortly bro…
NB: When the above chat happened, I was in Lagos-Nigeria to see my family. So, about a minute late SG called my mobile line and we spoke a bit more on what he wanted to do, and how I could help. We concluded by agreeing that he would get back to me when he was ready.
Then, late last month, when I was sending out updates to my contacts on Skype, about my domain name change from spontaneousdevelopment.com to tayosolagbade.com, it occurred to me that I had to do same to him – when I saw a Skype prompt that he’d logged on. Note that I was back here in Cotonou by then.
[5/21/2014 10:14:32 AM] Tayo Solagbade: Hi SG.
This is a due diligence update.
Following the events I reported in my email newsletter about poaching of my 9 year old domain (spontaneousdevelopment.com) I’ve moved my website to www.tayosolagbade.com, and reinvented it in line with my new plans.
My new website has links to full details of the events that made me accelerate my plans to launch tayosolagbade.com. Click About Tayo to learn more.
Like I said, this is just an FYI update I’m sending out to ALL contacts – so no one goes looking for me at. spontaneousdevelopment.com
With kindest regards,
Tayo
[5/21/2014 10:15:50 AM] SG: ok, thanks bruv.
<text deleted>
[5/21/2014 10:22:18 AM] Tayo Solagbade: Sorry. Something came up. Have to go offline. Talk later.
[5/21/2014 10:51:10 AM] SG: ok
[5/21/2014 10:54:38 AM] Tayo Solagbade: Back now. By the way, going by your last conversation with me, you may be interested in the Excel-VB software “bazaar” I’m offering – like I said, I’ve reinvented myself. There’s so much value I’ve kept locked up while conflicted about how to go about giving it out. Now, I’m crystal clear…if you’re interested in this one, let me know…See http://excelheaven.tayosolagbade.com/
[5/21/2014 10:56:56 AM] SG: I am interested but d constraint now is u r not in Nigeria so we can meet and I show u d things I want to b able to do with Advanced Excel VB scripts
[5/21/2014 11:00:29 AM] Tayo Solagbade: That’s not really a problem. I come to Nigeria on agreement with clients e.g. people travel from as far as Akwa Ibom, more recently Umuahia, to meet with me in a feed mill premises at Oko Oba in Agege where I take them through the theory and practice of the science of feed formulation and compounding. Once they pay the agreed fee for materials and training, we simply agree date and time, and make it happen. Most happen via referrals from past clients.
[5/21/2014 11:02:49 AM] Tayo Solagbade: In your case, we can agree to meet. Last time I told you a N10k situation analysis fee would be needed. If you want us to meet in the flesh to review and discuss details in the flesh, a N25k payment is all that’;s needed. We then agree date and time and I come to Nigeria for our meeting, which will be in Ikeja (I have a meeting venue that I use).
[5/21/2014 11:03:54 AM] SG: ok…
[5/21/2014 11:04:15 AM] SG: I need these skills in Excel/VB scripting….
[5/21/2014 11:04:31 AM] Tayo Solagbade: Alternatively if you want me to come to your office, you arrange the transportation to/fro. Either way, you can be sure of getting MORE value than you pay for. There’s a lot I can show you how to do that will make you shine MORE than I did in your company
[5/21/2014 11:04:36 AM] SG: I’ve looked through d embedded video, quite nice snippet.
[5/21/2014 11:06:26 AM] Tayo Solagbade: You should dig into the old videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/TKSolagbadeSDAc
[5/21/2014 11:09:48 AM] SG: so Tayo, its now N50k down payment??
[5/21/2014 11:10:15 AM] SG: last time we discussed, u said its N10k down payment or so….
[5/21/2014 12:36:52 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Hi SG. Our connection went down here. Back on now. I think you should read BACK through this Skype thread to understand the “payments”.
[5/21/2014 12:37:11 PM] SG: ok
[5/21/2014 12:39:15 PM] SG: I’VE READ THRU…
[5/21/2014 12:39:19 PM] SG: its OK..
[5/21/2014 12:42:37 PM] Tayo Solagbade: Just to clarify: For the needs analysis session I told you I would ask you certain questions via phone/email.
Then I would prepare a formal report for you, with which you could embark on a DIY approach.
That was what the N10k was meant for.
We would NOT need to meet.
Now, if you don’t want to DIY, after getting my report, you could choose to hire me to “coach” you, in which case I would give you a fee for that, once we agree what you need to learn.
Then I would create a variety of learning resources based on my assessment of your job based needs.
However if we have to meet for starters to do the needs analysis, it’s N25K for me to meet with a client in person. But Not N50K.
[5/21/2014 12:46:34 PM] SG: ok…got it.
[5/21/2014 12:46:41 PM] SG: clear now..
====Transcript ends=====
For over 18 years, I have used spreadsheet programming to solve real life problems at first in, and later out, of paid employment.
My resume describes case studies in which I automated daily routine data recording and report generation in the departments I worked. That happened during my short 7 year stay in Guinness Nigeria.
As an entrepreneur, since 2004, I have built all sorts of applications initially for as low as N5,000 for individuals…
As time went on, Hotels, Hospitals, Farms, Consultants etc, began paying me N25,000 to as much as N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) to build custom MS Excel-VB driven software applications for their use.
At a point in 2006, I decided to begin offering my products for sale to an online audience, after testing them with clients for a few years. The following are most popular at the moment:
1. Excel-VB Ration Formulator (which sells along with my popular Practical Livestock Feed Formulation Handbook)
2. Excel-VB Advanced Payslip Generator (Watch video 1 and video 2)
3. Excel-VB Poultry Farm Manager
The above are the ones which I’ve put up and been getting enquiries about, and selling to clients.
However, so many others remain on my PC, that I’ve built for business of all sizes in different industries. You can browse through a one page listing with preliminary descriptions of some of them at .See http://excelheaven.tayosolagbade.com/.