How many of your team leads and managers are still spending hours every week preparing reports?

Last week, I had the privilege of conducting a Microsoft Excel Essentials for Team Leads, Supervisors & Managers in-house training for a leading multinational company in the life sciences industry.

Interestingly, the training wasn't about learning "more Excel".

It was about giving managers back their time.

Many supervisors and managers spend too much time every week:

• Cleaning messy data
• Combining multiple Excel files
• Updating repetitive reports
• Copying and pasting information
• Preparing management reports manually

These are not management responsibilities.

These are repetitive tasks that Excel can automate.

During the programme, we focused on practical tools that participants could immediately apply in their daily work:

✅ Excel Tables

✅ Text to Columns

✅ SUMIF, COUNTIF, IF, IFS, IFERROR

✅ VLOOKUP & XLOOKUP

✅ Power Query

✅ PivotTables

✅ Slicers

✅ Pivot Charts

The goal wasn't simply to teach Excel.

The goal was to help managers spend less time preparing reports, and more time where they create the greatest value:

• Coaching their teams

• Solving operational issues

• Improving processes

• Supporting customers

• Making better business decisions

The results were encouraging.

The group's average assessment score improved from 25.5% before the training to 82.6% after the training, with 5 participants achieving a perfect score. Many also expressed strong interest in using Power Query, PivotTables, Slicers, Pivot Charts and Dashboards to automate their reporting processes.

One thing I've learned after training professionals from different industries:

Most people don't need hundreds of Excel functions.

They need the right tools to eliminate repetitive work.

When reporting becomes automated, managers can spend their time leading people instead of managing spreadsheets.

If your organisation is looking to improve reporting efficiency and build practical Excel skills for team leads, supervisors, and managers, I'd be happy to discuss a customised in-house programme.

Microsoft Excel Essentials for Leaders | LinkedIn 

Published on: July 24, 2026

There is an uncomfortable truth that many developers, consultants, and business owners may soon have to confront.

𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Whether it is software, apps, automation, dashboards, reporting systems, or Excel solutions, AI can already generate formulas, write scripts, create prototypes, suggest architectures, debug issues, and accelerate development dramatically.

What once took days may soon take hours.

What once took hours may soon take minutes.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

❝ 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿? ❞

My view is: eventually, yes.

At least for the development portion.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲.

If a task that previously required 100 hours now requires 20, market competition will slowly push costs downward.

At first, many providers may continue charging based on traditional expectations.

That is normal.

Every technological shift follows a similar pattern.

But over time, competition tends to reshape pricing realities.

Businesses will begin asking:

❝ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗺 𝗜 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿? ❞

But this does not mean all solution costs will collapse.

It simply means the economics of development are changing.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 ≠ 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

AI can produce outputs quickly.

But speed is not the same as correctness.

For example, AI can generate:

• Excel dashboards
• VBA or automation scripts
• Power Query transformations
• Business apps
• Reporting logic
• Forecasting models

But critical questions still remain:

• Is the logic correct?
• Are the assumptions valid?
• Does it scale?
• Is it secure and maintainable?
• Does it reflect the real business process?
• Will users actually understand and adopt it?

𝗔 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿.

𝗔 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 if it leads to poor decisions, bad reporting, broken workflows, or operational confusion.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁: 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴.

In the past, much of the value sat in technical execution.

The ability to code, build formulas, automate processes, and manually create systems carried a premium because technical capability was scarce.

Now, technical execution is becoming increasingly abundant.

𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲?

Towards:

✅ Problem definition
✅ Business understanding
✅ Solution architecture
✅ Validation and quality control
✅ Risk reduction
✅ User adoption and training
✅ Strategic thinking

𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁:

❝ 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. ❞

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁.

The future developer may not simply be someone who builds.

The future developer may be someone who understands business deeply, uses AI intelligently, validates outcomes rigorously, and designs reliable systems faster than ever before.

Perhaps the role shifts from:

𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 → 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁

Or maybe:

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 → 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿

Because businesses are not really paying for code.

They are paying for outcomes.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁.

AI may reduce development manhours.

It may redefine parts of solution development costs.

But I suspect it will also increase the importance of people who can ask better questions, think critically, validate outputs, and turn business problems into reliable solutions.

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.

AI Will Reduce Solution Development Costs, But Increase the Value of Thinking | LinkedIn 

Published on: June 2, 2026

Had a great session last week conducting a 1-day Microsoft Excel Intermediate training program for a young and enthusiastic team from the healthcare and life sciences industry.

The participants came from Sales and Marketing functions, with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced, though most were around the early intermediate level.

Throughout the session, we covered practical Excel topics focused on improving productivity, data handling, reporting, and analysis.

One of the highlights was seeing how engaged the participants were during the hands-on exercises. Many especially appreciated learning:

• XLOOKUP function

• Slicers in Tables and PivotTables

• Connecting one slicer to multiple PivotTables

• Pivot Chart fundamentals

Interestingly, some of these topics were beyond the planned intermediate syllabus, but the participants were eager to explore further. I was happy to extend the discussion and introduce a few advanced concepts to support their curiosity and real workplace needs.

The final assessment results were encouraging too, with participants performing well and showing strong understanding of the concepts taught.

More importantly, I genuinely hope they start applying these Excel skills immediately in their daily work to save time, improve reporting quality, and make better decisions.

Training moments like these remind me that Excel is not just about formulas and reports. It is about helping people work smarter and more confidently.

If your organisation is looking for practical, hands-on Microsoft Excel training programs, feel free to connect with me or drop me a message.

Published on: May 13, 2026

In many organisations today, major systems such as ERP, CRM, and specialised business applications are already in place. These systems manage transactions, store operational data, and generate reports for various departments.

However, even with these systems available, Microsoft Excel continues to play a crucial role across organisations.

In reality, Excel remains one of the most widely used tools in day-to-day business operations. From warehouse teams to finance departments, from sales operations to human resources, Excel often becomes the working layer where data is reviewed, analysed, and translated into decisions.

The reason is simple. Systems store data, but Excel helps people think with the data.

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Most enterprise systems are designed primarily to capture transactions and generate structured reports. They are essential for maintaining operational records and organisational control.

Yet in many organisations, the reports generated from these systems are only the starting point.

Managers and teams frequently export raw reports into Excel to perform tasks such as:

• Filtering and organising operational data

• Combining data from multiple reports

• Analysing trends and patterns

• Preparing operational summaries

• Supporting internal discussions and decisions

Excel therefore becomes the layer where people interact directly with data and translate information into actionable insights.

This is why Excel continues to remain relevant even in organisations with advanced enterprise systems.

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Excel’s value is not confined to a single department. It supports operational coordination across many areas of an organisation.

Warehouse and Inventory Operations

Warehouse teams often use Excel to track inventory movements, reconcile stock discrepancies, analyse stock ageing, and plan replenishment requirements.

While warehouse systems record transactions, Excel allows teams to review inventory trends and operational patterns more flexibly.

Logistics and Supply Chain

Logistics teams frequently rely on Excel to plan shipments, monitor delivery schedules, coordinate transport resources, and evaluate logistics performance.

Excel enables teams to consolidate information quickly and respond to operational changes with speed and flexibility.

Order Management and Sales Operations

Sales operations teams often work extensively with Excel to monitor customer orders, track order fulfilment, consolidate sales data, and analyse performance across regions or products.

These activities require frequent analysis and coordination, which Excel supports effectively.

Marketing and Product Development

Marketing teams may use Excel to analyse campaign performance, review customer response data, and track product demand patterns.

Similarly, product teams may analyse product performance, customer feedback trends, and development priorities using Excel-based analyses.

Excel helps teams transform scattered information into structured insights that support planning and strategy.

Sales Management and Commercial Excellence

For sales leaders, Excel often becomes a practical tool for analysing sales performance, monitoring sales funnels, forecasting results, and identifying sales gaps.

It allows managers to assess whether targets are achievable and determine which opportunities require attention.

Excel also supports discussions around strategy, prioritisation, and performance improvement.

Finance and Financial Analysis

Finance teams rely heavily on Excel for budgeting, financial analysis, variance reviews, and performance reporting.

Even when financial systems exist, Excel is frequently used to analyse data in more flexible ways, enabling deeper understanding of financial performance.

Human Resources and Workforce Planning

Human Resources departments also use Excel to analyse workforce data, monitor employee performance metrics, track training records, and support workforce planning.

Excel enables HR teams to structure people-related data and generate insights that support organisational development.

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

The importance of Excel is not limited to its functions or formulas.

One of the most valuable aspects of Excel is the way it encourages structured and analytical thinking.

When individuals work with Excel, they gradually develop the ability to:

• organise information logically

• identify patterns within data

• compare results across different scenarios

• break down complex problems into manageable components

Over time, these habits strengthen analytical thinking within the organisation.

Employees begin to approach problems more systematically, ask better questions, and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.

In this sense, Excel contributes not only to productivity but also to the development of stronger analytical capabilities within teams.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲

In many organisations, productivity challenges are often addressed through investments in new systems or technologies.

While these investments are important, there is another area that organisations sometimes overlook: the skill level of employees in using everyday tools effectively.

Improving Excel skills across departments can produce significant productivity gains.

When employees are comfortable working with data in Excel, they can:

• analyse information faster

• prepare reports more efficiently

• reduce manual errors

• support decision-making with clearer insights

In many cases, improving Excel capability across the workforce can deliver quicker productivity improvements than implementing entirely new systems.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Across organisations in Malaysia, Excel continues to be deeply embedded in daily operations.

Many companies operate with a combination of enterprise systems and Excel-based analyses. Operational teams frequently extract data from system reports and perform further analysis in Excel to support business decisions.

This practice is unlikely to disappear.

Instead, Excel will continue to serve as the bridge between structured systems and practical decision-making.

For organisations that recognise this reality, investing in Excel capability becomes a strategic advantage.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭

Technology systems will continue to evolve, and organisations will adopt increasingly sophisticated tools.

Yet the ability of employees to understand data, analyse information, and translate insights into action will remain essential.

Excel continues to play a powerful role in enabling these capabilities.

Across departments such as warehouse operations, logistics, sales, finance, marketing, human resources, and management, Excel remains a practical tool that supports daily operations and informed decision-making.

For organisations aiming to improve productivity and strengthen analytical thinking across teams, improving Excel capability remains one of the most practical and impactful starting points.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-excel-skills-still-matter-across-every-department-organisation-0uimc

Published on: Mar 09, 2026

Building a Financial Tracking System for a Construction & Engineering Business

February 2026 focused on designing a Business Financial Tracking System for a construction and engineering company involved in road works, machinery rental, and manpower supply.

The business was running multiple projects alongside rental and workforce operations. Operationally strong, but financially fragmented. Project data, receivables, payables, and expenses were tracked across separate files, making consolidated visibility difficult.

The objective was clear, build a structured financial control system without deploying a heavy ERP platform.

The Core Requirement

Management needed:

• Clear profit visibility at project level

• Proper tracking of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

• Consolidated Profit and Loss across projects, rental, and manpower activities

• Stronger monitoring of operating expenses

• Cleaner cash flow visibility

The System Architecture

The proposed solution was a custom-built Excel and Power Query based system structured into four integrated components:

1️⃣ Project Financial Module

Tracks contract values, variation orders, invoicing, collections, supplier payments, direct costs, gross margin, and project cash position.

2️⃣ Rental & Manpower Income Module

Captures non-project income and expenses with structured summaries.

3️⃣ Operating Expenses Module

Categorises and consolidates company-level expenses for management review.

4️⃣ Business Control & Consolidation Layer

Delivers:

• One-line financial summaries per project

• Consolidated Profit and Loss view

• AR and AP tracking dashboards

• Overall business performance visibility

Power Query automation handles multi-project data consolidation, eliminating manual merging and reducing reporting errors.

Why This Matters

In construction and engineering environments, operational execution is often strong. Financial structure is where gaps appear.

This February engagement was about tightening financial control, improving decision clarity, and building a scalable reporting backbone using tools the team already understands.

Excel, when engineered properly, becomes a serious business control system.

Published on: Feb 24, 2026

Building a Production Reporting System (PRS) Data Consolidation & Reporting Engine for the Manufacturing Industry

January 2026 was focused on one thing, building structure out of reporting chaos.

This project opportunity came from the manufacturing industry, where operational data existed across multiple PRS files but consolidation was manual, repetitive, and prone to inconsistency. The goal was clear, engineer a data consolidation and reporting system that eliminates duplication while preserving existing operational workflows.

No system overhaul.

No disruption to improvement initiatives.

Just clean architecture and reliable reporting.

The Core Challenge

Manufacturing environments generate daily operational data, theoretical output, actual output, efficiency, safety observations, quality issues.

The issue is rarely the absence of data.

The issue is fragmentation.

Multiple files.

Multiple formats.

Repeated manual compilation.

Inconsistent reporting views.

That is where proper Power Query architecture changes the game.

What Was Designed

A PRS Data Consolidation and Reporting System built around four core principles:

1️⃣ Automated Extraction

Data pulled from a structured source directory or SharePoint repository, without manual copy and paste.

2️⃣ Transformation & Standardisation

Heavy Power Query logic to:

• Clean inconsistent formats

• Align column structures

• Standardise reporting fields

• Consolidate multiple PRS submissions

This was the technical heart of the project.

3️⃣ Structured Consolidation

Centralised datasets for:

• Production performance

• Safety-related records

• Quality-related records

All modelled to support scalable analysis.

4️⃣ Reporting & Visibility

Pivot-based dashboards providing:

• Theoretical vs actual output

• Production efficiency trends

• Daily and monthly views

What Made This Project Satisfying

This was not about building pretty dashboards.

It was about engineering a repeatable consolidation engine.

The automation logic removed manual merging work.

The structured data model reduced reporting inconsistencies.

The pivot framework ensured users could analyse without breaking the system.

Most importantly, the solution respected existing operational improvement systems. It enhanced visibility without forcing process change.

That balance matters in manufacturing environments.

Key Reflection from January

Good reporting is not about adding more sheets.

It is about designing a data pipeline that:

• Extracts reliably

• Transforms consistently

• Consolidates logically

• Reports clearly

When those four layers are engineered properly, decision-making improves naturally.

January 2026 was about building that foundation.

More progress updates coming as the system scales beyond its pilot phase.

Published on: Feb 15, 2026

December was a strong and fulfilling way to end the year.

I completed a 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, with participants from a diverse mix of organisations, which made the sessions especially engaging and practical:

• Pengerang Refining Co Sdn Bhd

• Sarawak Shell Bhd

• Petronas Penapisan (Terengganu) Sdn Bhd

• PPSC Industrial Holdings Sdn Bhd

• Farmbyte Sdn Bhd

Alongside that, I also conducted Microsoft 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 & 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 training for a government agency, working with just two participants. Because of the small group size, the sessions were highly detailed and personalised, almost like a one-to-one coaching setup. These are often the sessions where the biggest breakthroughs happen.

As I reflect on 2025, it has been a good journey. Motivating, steady, and personally satisfying. Knowing that I am helping professionals strengthen one of the most in-demand skills for career progression makes the work meaningful beyond just delivery hours.

Looking ahead, several training sessions are already lining up for 2026, and I am genuinely looking forward to continuing this journey of learning, sharing, and upskilling. Thank you to everyone who trusted me with their learning this year.

𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.

Published on: Dec 31, 2025

November was a fulfilling month with three meaningful programmes delivered to very different groups, yet all united by one thing, the drive to learn, improve and grow. Here is a quick recap of the key moments.

📅 19 November 2025

Microsoft Excel for Beginners: Let’s Conquer the Basics

I had the pleasure of conducting a full day Excel for Beginners session for a hotel group, with more than twenty participants from Finance, Audit and Sales. The room had a mix of fresh users and intermediate learners, which made the session lively and engaging.

What stood out was their enthusiasm. Many shared that, although they work with Excel daily, they picked up smarter shortcuts, better formatting techniques and practical features they had never explored before. Small improvements make a big difference in daily work, and this group embraced that mindset from the start.

Thank you to the client for the trust. I remain committed to helping teams build confidence in Excel so that work becomes faster, clearer and more enjoyable.
If your organisation wants to strengthen Excel capability in a practical and structured way, feel free to reach out.

📅 23 November 2025

FI/RE Up Your Life:  The Young Professional’s Roadmap to Financial Independence

A smaller group this round, about seven young professionals, but a very meaningful session. We explored the foundations of FI, understanding EPF, the power of compounding and the long term mindset needed to build financial stability.

The Excel tools shared with them made the concepts clearer, especially when they could see their own FI numbers and long term projections. It is encouraging to see more young Malaysians taking their financial future seriously.

📅 25 November 2025

Funnel and Sales Performance Mastery:  Hit Your Sales Target, Every Time

I wrapped up the month with a full day sales mastery programme for a well known furniture manufacturing company. The group came from across the sales function, from senior managers to sales coordinators, with more than twenty participants in the room.

They brought solid energy. They challenged ideas, asked sharp questions and kept the discussions honest. The focus was straightforward, Funnel Management and Sales Performance Management, the practical skills that help sales teams hit their targets predictably.

I customised my Excel based Funnel Management Tool specifically for their business so that they can apply it immediately. After years in MNCs, the same observation still holds, many SMEs do not have a proper funnel structure or tool. It is not a capability issue, it is an exposure issue. Once introduced, teams level up fast.

If your sales team needs a practical, Excel powered funnel system, I am happy to support.

Available Programmes

1. Funnel and Sales Performance Mastery
   One day programme, suitable for teams with solid Excel skills.

2. Excel Powered Funnel and Sales Performance Mastery
   Two day programme. Day 1 builds the Excel skills needed to customise the tool, Day 2 covers full funnel and performance management execution.

Published on: Dec 4, 2025

This month, I had the pleasure of conducting a 2-Day Microsoft Excel Intermediate & Advanced Training at Royale Chulan Damansara — a session that brought together 9 enthusiastic participants from diverse industries including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Road Construction & Operation.

The training focused on real-world Excel mastery — covering everything from cell formatting tricks and smart data layouts to advanced functions, Power Query, and Pivot Tables with interactive slicers.

Course Highlights:

• Excel Formatting & Navigation Mastery

• Advanced Functions (IFS, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, IFERROR, XLOOKUP)

• Power Query for Data Cleaning & Transformation

• Pivot Table Analysis with Slicers & Charts

• VBA Macro Introduction with ChatGPT-Assisted Code Generation

Participants showed strong engagement throughout the program and scored remarkably well in their post-test assessments.
Many shared that their favorite parts were Excel Functions, Power Query, and Pivot Table Slicers, which helped them unlock new ways to analyze and present data efficiently.

It was truly rewarding to see every participant leave with renewed confidence to apply Excel more strategically in their day-to-day work! 💪

Published on: Nov 3, 2025

Program Recap

September was another meaningful month at GK’s Let’s Excel!, where we successfully concluded the Microsoft Excel Essentials for Team Leads, Supervisors & Managers program — a 1-day hands-on workshop attended by 15 highly motivated participants.

What We Covered

Throughout the session, participants explored powerful Excel features designed to make their daily reporting and analysis faster, cleaner, and smarter.

✔️ Data Entry, Cleaning & Consolidation using Power Query
✔️ Powerful Functions – IF, IFS, SUMIFS, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and more
✔️ PivotTables & PivotCharts for quick analysis and summaries
✔️ Smart Visualization & Time-Saving Shortcuts to boost productivity

What Participants Valued Most

Feedback from participants highlighted how much they appreciated tools that could transform the way they work:

➡️ Smarter lookups with XLOOKUP
➡️ Automating repetitive tasks and cleaning data via Power Query
➡️ Interactive reporting using Slicers in PivotTables
➡️ Quick insights with PivotCharts
➡️ Speed and efficiency gained through keyboard shortcuts

The Best Part

The most rewarding moment was witnessing how these tools empower leaders to shift from manual work to data-driven decision-making.
Each participant walked away with not only improved Excel skills but also greater confidence in using data to lead their teams effectively.

Published on: Oct 12, 2025

26th August – What’s New in Excel

• COPILOT function (Windows & Mac – Insider/Beta users)
  Excel gains a powerful new AI-driven formula: the =COPILOT() function. With this, you can embed natural-language prompts directly within your spreadsheets. The function works alongside standard Excel formula logic, tapping into ranges or cells as context, and dynamically updates when data changes. This feature is rolling out to Microsoft 365 Copilot license holders in the Beta Channel.

• Explain Formulas with Copilot (Windows & Web)
  Copilot now acts as an inline assistant—providing real-time, step-by-step explanations of formulas right within the grid.

• Analyze Images with Python (Windows, Mac & Web – Insider users)
  Dropping images into Excel cells is now more powerful. You can run Python code directly on embedded images—from metadata extraction to plotting—without switching tools.

• New Pen Tools & Draw-tab Customization (Windows – Insider users)
  Excel’s drawing features get an upgrade with expressive new pen types like Brush and Fountain, plus the ability to customize the Draw tab—for a cleaner, more personal layout.

• Edit Chart Data Labels in Excel for the Web
  Previously limited to desktop apps, this feature now allows you to edit data label text directly within charts using Excel for the web—great for on-the-go edits and clarity.

August brought an exciting influx of AI-powered innovations to Excel—giveaway hints of a smarter, more adaptable spreadsheet experience. From injecting natural language intelligence directly into formulas, to supercharging visual analysis with Python, the platform is evolving into a dynamic workspace that learns and adapts. While these features currently live in the Beta/Insider channel, they offer a compelling glimpse into the future of productivity tools. As always, caution and testing are key—especially when accuracy and compliance are essential.

🔗 Read more about these updates on Microsoft TechCommunity, The Verge, Windows Central, and TechRadar. 

Published on: Sep 09, 2025

6th August – Funnel & Sales Performance Mastery

We successfully completed another run of the Funnel & Sales Performance Mastery program with 11 sales professionals, ranging from junior executives to seasoned managers.

The session was filled with engaging discussions, practical examples, and hands-on exercises. It was particularly rewarding to see younger talents grasp funnel concepts, performance metrics, and key sales calculations so quickly. Every training brings new perspectives—and this one was no exception!

New Training Secured – Excel Essentials for Team Leads, Supervisors & Managers

We’re excited to share that we’ve secured a Microsoft Excel Essentials for Team Leads, Supervisors & Managers program, scheduled for 3rd September 2025. Looking forward to empowering another group of professionals with Excel skills that will help them lead with confidence and efficiency.

Closing Reflection

August has been a month of growth and momentum. Each session reinforces our belief that the right tools and structured learning can truly transform the way professionals work. Thank you to everyone who continues to support, participate, and spread the word about our programs—your trust inspires us to keep raising the bar. Here’s to more impactful learning journeys ahead!

Published on: Aug 31, 2025

This month marks a key milestone for GK’s Let’s Excel. I’ve officially registered as a Training Provider under HRD Corp. With this, I can now conduct claimable corporate trainings directly—no intermediaries needed.

Here’s what happened in July:

Officially a HRD Corp Training Provider

After months of preparation, GK’s Let’s Excel is now fully registered as an HRD Corp Training Provider. This means companies can now claim 100% of training fees under SBL-KHAS when attending my Excel and Sales Performance programs. A big step forward in building trust and access with HR departments and training decision-makers.

Conducted: “Excel for Beginners – Let’s Conquer the Basics!”

I delivered my Excel fundamentals course to a small group of university students. The session focused on real-world basics—clean formatting, simple functions, charts, and how to think logically in Excel. Most of them were first-timers, and it was rewarding to see their confidence grow within just a few hours.

Introductory Training: Funnel & Sales Performance Mastery

I also conducted an introductory session of my “Funnel & Sales Performance Mastery: Hit Your Sales Target, Every Time!” for a well-established Training Provider. The audience mainly comprised sales, marketing, and product team members. I introduced two proven methods to help teams hit their sales targets—by calculating the required funnel size & funnel health, analyzing funnel performance, and tracking opportunities effectively using Excel. The response was very encouraging.

Published on: July 27, 2025

After more than 23 years in the healthcare industry and several years delivering professional training and Excel-based solutions, I’m proud to share that I’ve officially received my HRD Corp Trainer Accreditation.

This accreditation, awarded by Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) in Malaysia, enables me to conduct HRD Corp claimable trainings for employers registered under the PSMB Act 2001.

In simple terms, it means companies can now claim back the training fees for eligible programs I conduct — making it more accessible for organizations to invest in continuous learning and employee development without budget constraints.

Why This Matters for You and Your Organization

If you’re a business owner, manager, HR, or L&D professional looking to upskill your team, this accreditation allows you to access results-driven, claimable training programs designed to improve operational efficiency, sales performance, and personal financial wellness.

My Core Training Programs

I currently offer the following programs for both corporate and public sessions:

1️⃣ Microsoft Excel for Beginners: Let’s Conquer the Basics!
2️⃣ Microsoft Excel Essentials for Administrators and Executives
3️⃣ Microsoft Excel Essentials for Team Leads, Supervisors & Managers
4️⃣ Funnel & Sales Performance Mastery: Hit Your Sales Target, Every Time!
5️⃣ F.I.R.E. Up Your Life: The Young Professional's Roadmap to Financial Independence (Employee Well-Being Program)

Each program is practical, hands-on, and built to equip participants with actionable skills they can immediately apply in their roles.

Let’s Connect

If you’re interested in exploring these trainings for your team or would like to collaborate, feel free to reach out. I’m always open to new opportunities to help individuals and businesses grow smarter, faster, and financially stronger.

Here’s to continuous learning and empowering lives through knowledge. 

#HRDCorp #AccreditedTrainer #ClaimableTraining #ExcelTraining #SalesFunnel #SalesPerformance #FIREMovement #EmployeeWellBeing #ProfessionalDevelopment #CorporateTrainingMalaysia

Published on: June 29, 2025

If you've ever felt constrained by Excel's standard PivotTables, it's time to explore Power Pivot. It's a game-changing feature that elevates your data analysis capabilities. Whether you're dealing with massive datasets or seeking more dynamic reporting, Power Pivot is your gateway to advanced analytics within Excel.

1. What Is Power Pivot?

Power Pivot is an Excel add-in that allows you to perform powerful data analysis and create sophisticated data models. It enables you to:

• Import large volumes of data from various sources

• Create relationships between heterogeneous data

• Build complex calculations using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)

• Analyze data efficiently without slowing down your workbook
  
  

In essence, Power Pivot transforms Excel into a robust business intelligence tool, allowing you to work with millions of rows of data seamlessly.

2. Why Should You Use Power Pivot?

Here are compelling reasons to integrate Power Pivot into your Excel toolkit:

1. Handle Large Datasets: Unlike standard Excel, which can struggle with large data volumes, Power Pivot efficiently processes millions of rows without performance issues.

2. Create Complex Data Models: Establish relationships between different data tables, enabling more comprehensive analysis without the need for VLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH functions.

3. Advanced Calculations with DAX: Utilize DAX to create measures and calculated columns, allowing for more sophisticated data analysis.

4. Enhanced Data Analysis: Combine data from multiple sources and perform in-depth analysis, leading to more informed decision-making.

3. Getting Started with Power Pivot

Enable the Add-In:

• Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.

• In the Manage box, select COM Add-ins and click Go.

• Check Microsoft Power Pivot for Excel and click OK.

Import Data:

• Use Power Pivot to import data from various sources like Excel files, SQL Server, or Access (similar as PowerQuery).

Create Relationships:

• Define relationships between different tables to build a cohesive data model.

Build Calculations:

• Use DAX to create calculated columns and measures for advanced analysis.

Analyze with PivotTables:

• Insert PivotTables from the Power Pivot data model to analyze your data dynamically.

4. Final Thoughts

Power Pivot is a powerful addition to Excel that unlocks advanced data analysis capabilities. By learning and integrating Power Pivot into your workflow, you can handle larger datasets, create complex models, and perform more insightful analyses and it's all within Excel.

Ready to elevate your data analysis skills? Start exploring Power Pivot today and transform the way you work with data.

Published on: May 27, 2025

Earlier this month, I completed the HRD Corp Train-The-Trainer (TTT) Certification Program, a comprehensive 5-day course designed to enhance trainers' competencies in Malaysia.

Despite having several years of training experience, this program provided me with fresh insights and methodologies that have significantly enriched my approach to training. Here's a breakdown of the key areas I explored:

1. Adult Learning Principles

I gained a deeper understanding of how adults learn, emphasizing the importance of relevance, experience-based learning, and self-direction. This knowledge is crucial for designing sessions that resonate with adult learners.

2. Training Needs Analysis (TNA)

The course highlighted the significance of conducting a thorough TNA to identify skill gaps and align training objectives with organizational goals. This ensures that training interventions are both effective and targeted.

3. Competency-Based Training Design

I learned to develop training programs that focus on specific competencies, ensuring that the content is aligned with desired performance outcomes. This approach enhances the applicability of training in real-world scenarios.

4. Effective Training Delivery

The program emphasized various delivery methods, including interactive activities, case studies, and group discussions, to engage participants and facilitate better learning retention.

5. Assessment of Learning

Understanding how to assess participants' learning effectively was a key takeaway. This includes designing assessments that accurately measure the attainment of learning objectives and provide constructive feedback.

6. Managing Group Dynamics

The course addressed strategies for managing diverse groups, handling challenging behaviors, and fostering an inclusive learning environment, all of which are essential for successful training sessions.

7. Continuous Professional Development

Finally, the importance of ongoing learning and self-improvement as a trainer was underscored, encouraging a commitment to staying current with best practices and evolving training methodologies.

This certification journey has been transformative, equipping me with enhanced skills and a renewed perspective on training. I'm excited to integrate these learnings into my future sessions, aiming to deliver more impactful and engaging training experiences.

Published on: Apr 14, 2025

Introduction

When working with data in Excel, efficiency is key. Whether you’re managing financial reports, consolidating sales data, or preparing dashboards, repetitive tasks can consume valuable time. That’s where Power Query comes in—a game-changing tool that automates data cleaning, transformation, and consolidation. If you’ve ever found yourself manually copying and pasting data from multiple sources or struggling with complex formulas, Power Query is the solution you’ve been looking for.

The Struggles of Manual Data Processing

Before Power Query, data preparation often involved tedious and error-prone steps. Here are some common challenges users face:

1. Messy and Inconsistent Data

Data from different sources—such as CSV files, databases, and online reports—often come in inconsistent formats. Cleaning up missing values, duplicate records, and incorrect formatting takes up unnecessary time.

2. Repetitive Data Cleaning Tasks

If you frequently download and clean data, you may find yourself performing the same steps over and over again. Manually applying filters, removing unwanted columns, or reformatting dates can be exhausting.

3. Combining Data from Multiple Sources

Working with multiple Excel files or worksheets? Manually merging them requires careful copying and pasting, increasing the risk of errors.

4. Formula Dependency

Many users rely on complex formulas like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, or TEXT functions to transform and analyze data. While these formulas are powerful, they can slow down Excel and become difficult to manage at scale.

How Power Query Solves These Issues

Power Query is designed to simplify and automate data preparation, making it an essential tool for any Excel user. Here’s why you should master it:

1. Automated Data Cleaning

Power Query provides easy-to-use functions for:

• Removing duplicates and blank rows

• Fixing inconsistent formatting (e.g., date formats, text cases)

• Splitting and merging columns without formulas

Once set up, Power Query allows you to refresh the data with a single click, automatically applying all the cleaning steps.

2. Effortless Data Consolidation

No more manual copying and pasting! With Power Query, you can merge multiple files, consolidate data from different sheets, and even connect to external data sources like SQL databases —all without writing code.

3. Eliminates Repetitive Tasks

Power Query records every transformation step and lets you reuse the process anytime. This means you only need to clean your data once, and future updates will follow the same steps automatically.

4. Performance Boost

Unlike formulas that recalculate every time you update data, Power Query processes transformations efficiently in the background. This leads to faster file performance and reduced risk of formula errors.

Conclusion

If you deal with data regularly, learning Power Query is a must. It saves time, reduces errors, and enhances productivity, allowing you to focus on analysis rather than manual data processing.

Published on: March 02, 2025

Introduction

When it comes to mastering Excel, learning functions like XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP is a must. These functions are indispensable for anyone working with data, whether you're managing inventory, analyzing sales, or streamlining your workflow. In my previous post, I mentioned that VLOOKUP was one of the first functions I learned, and it truly opened the door to Excel’s vast potential. However, like any tool, it came with its own set of limitations. That’s where XLOOKUP steps in as the modern, versatile alternative.

VLOOKUP and Its Pain Points

VLOOKUP has long been a favorite for looking up data in Excel, but it’s far from perfect. Here are some of its notable pain points:

1. Lookup Direction:

   • VLOOKUP only works when your lookup value is in the first column of the table array. If the value you’re referencing is on the right, you’re out of luck unless you rearrange your data or create a helper column.

2. Helper Columns:

   • To overcome the limitation mentioned above, you often need to create a helper column. This is time-consuming and can clutter your worksheet.

3. Inflexibility:

   • VLOOKUP lacks the flexibility to handle certain errors gracefully. For instance, if the lookup value isn’t found, you’ll get an ugly #N/A error.

4. Performance Issues:

   • With large datasets, VLOOKUP can be slower compared to newer functions.

Advantages of XLOOKUP

Enter XLOOKUP, a modern solution that addresses all the shortcomings of VLOOKUP and brings several powerful features to the table. Introduced in 2019, XLOOKUP is now the go-to lookup function for Excel users.

1. Bidirectional Lookup:

   • Unlike VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP allows you to search both to the left and the right. This eliminates the need for rearranging your data or creating helper columns.

2. Error Handling:

   • XLOOKUP includes an optional argument, if_not_found, which lets you specify what to display if the lookup value isn’t found. Say goodbye to the dreaded #N/A error!

3. Improved Performance:

   • XLOOKUP is optimized for speed and works faster than VLOOKUP, especially with large datasets.

4. Flexible Matching Options:

   • It supports exact matches, approximate matches, and even wildcard matches, making it far more versatile than its predecessor.

5. Dynamic Range Reference:

   • With XLOOKUP, you’re not constrained by a fixed column index number. It dynamically adjusts based on your data.

Conclusion

If you’re a beginner in Excel, mastering XLOOKUP should be your priority. It’s powerful, flexible, and future-proof, making it a must-learn function for anyone looking to elevate their Excel skills.

For a quick tutorial, check out this YouTube video. Start using XLOOKUP today, and you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it!

Published on: February 01, 2025

Introduction
Every journey starts with a single step, and mine began with an engineering degree in 2001. Fast forward to 2002, I joined an organization in the project department that designs and builds laboratories. My story is not just about professional growth but also about the pivotal role Microsoft Excel played in shaping my career.

From AutoCAD Draught Person to Project Engineer
I started as an AutoCAD draught person, creating lab designs. Within a year, I was promoted to Project Engineer, responsible for end-to-end project cycles. This included:

• Designing labs and meeting clients to finalize designs.

• Costing and quoting.

• Procurement, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, and payment collection.

It was during these initial roles that I first encountered Excel. My boss introduced me to the VLOOKUP function, and I was hooked.

Excel Becomes My Superpower
As the department grew, so did the complexity of our tasks. We restructured into specialized teams, and I was entrusted to lead the costing and quotation team, supervising 3–5 members for Malaysia and Singapore regions. This phase marked my deep dive into Excel:

• I developed Excel tools to estimate renovation costs, gas piping, exhaust systems, fume hood controls, electrical wiring, and more.

• These tools automated processes from drawing interpretation to costing and quotation creation, saving significant time.

• Learning VBA macros elevated my skills, enabling one-click solutions for comprehensive tasks.

Our department’s efficiency skyrocketed, earning accolades from management. As a result, I was promoted to Senior Project Engineer and later became the Head of the Department by 2010. That was within 8 years. 

Excel’s Role in Leadership
As the department head, I relied on Excel to:

• Monitor every aspect of the project lifecycle: funnel management, costing, procurement, implementation, and collection.

• Build dashboards and trackers that provided real-time insights into departmental operations.

Excel became the backbone of my professional toolkit. By leveraging it effectively, I impressed management and secured promotions not just in this organization but in subsequent roles as well.

The Takeaway
My Excel journey is a testament to how mastering a tool can transform a career. From an AutoCAD draught person in 2002 to a department head by 2010, Excel was my constant companion, enabling me to:

• Impress management with efficient processes.

• Build confidence in my ability to manage and monitor complex operations.

Conclusion
I hope my journey inspires you to invest in enhancing your Excel skills. Whether you’re starting your career or aiming for your next promotion, Excel can be the game-changer you need. Let’s excel together!

Published on: January 01, 2025

Introducing the GK's Let’s Excel Blog: 

Your Gateway to Excel Mastery

As we prepare to welcome 2025, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the GK's Let’s Excel Blog – a dedicated page where I’ll share my passion for Excel and its endless possibilities. This blog is not just a resource for tips and tricks; it’s a space where I’ll document my journey, provide updates on Excel’s latest features, and inspire others to harness the power of this incredible tool.

Why Start a Blog?

Over the years, Excel has been more than just a spreadsheet software for me. It has been a game-changer in my career, helping me:

• Analyze data efficiently.

• Make informed decisions.

• Streamline workflows.

• Tracking my finances.

Through this blog, I aim to:

1. Share Knowledge: Break down complex Excel concepts into simple, actionable insights.

2. Inspire Growth: Demonstrate how Excel can boost productivity and open career opportunities.

What to Expect

Here’s a sneak peek into what this blog will offer:

1. Excel Tips & Tricks: Discover shortcuts, formulas, and features to enhance your skills.

2. Success Stories: Learn how mastering Excel transformed my career and the lives of others.

3. Latest News: Stay updated with new features and updates from Microsoft Excel.

The First Post of Many

This blog marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and I’m committed to making it a valuable resource for you. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build foundational skills or an advanced user seeking to explore niche functionalities, there’s something here for everyone.

Join Me!

Your support and feedback are invaluable as I embark on this new chapter. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, learning, and Excel-lence! 

Stay tuned for the first post coming soon. Until then, keep exploring, keep learning, and remember – with Excel, the possibilities are endless!

Published on: December 22, 2024