Microsoft Office is considered the industry standard software for back-end or office applications. We all have the need to write a letter (Word), create a budget (excel), create a flyer (publisher), send an email (Outlook) or give a dynamic listing presentation (PowerPoint). These CE and Non-CE courses are offered in basic, intermediate and advanced formats. They have been designed to not only teach an individual how to use the application but to create something that is directly related to a Realtor’s® daily task.

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... Course Descriptions

This is an introductory course intended to introduce participants to Microsoft Excel. This course is both moderator lead and “Hands On” and is the starting point for learning how to put together a list, budget or beautiful chart.

This is a beginner to intermediate level course that is the basis for building dynamic presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint. This course examines the types of presentations that can be created for clients and the appropriate time to use them. Participants will have hands-on experience in learning the basics of starting to build a presentation in PowerPoint. Upon completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of not only how to put together a presentation but when to use a PowerPoint presentation.

This course is offered as a two hour non-ce course and a 3 hour CE course. The course identifies the key components of a Realtor business plan but uses technology to accomplish the creation, management and maintenance of the plan. Technology is also a significant piece of the puzzle of a realtor’s business plan that is often overlooked. Participants will identify a course of implementation for technology over a determined period of time that supports positive ROI.

This course is offered as a two hour non-ce and a 3 hour CE course. CRM is an information industry term used to describe the methodologies that help manage customer relationships in an organized fashion. Many people refer to their address book as their CRM tool while many others utilize a software solution such as Microsoft Outlook as their integrated email and CRM tool. This course examines the principles of recording, organizing and follow up as the key elements that need to be covered with a good CRM tool.

This is an introductory course on the topic of digital photography. The prerequisite is that you have familiarized yourself with your make and brand of camera and that you have read the “How To Use” information that came with your camera. All cameras are different but they share common functions. This class will not teach you how to use your camera but will enlighten you on how best to use your camera for real estate: white balance, angle, time of day, etc. This is a wonderful class on learning more about your camera and taking great pictures.

Microsoft Excel is the database or spreadsheet application that is part of the bundle of software programs that come with Microsoft Office. This is a beginner level course meant to expose participants to the basics of an excel spreadsheet. Spreadsheets can be used for tracking expenses, budgets or for importing or exporting information such as contact information from one program to another. Much of the class is geared towards discussing the ways in which excel can be used with FMLS and other real estate related programs. A prerequisite for this class is a basic understanding of computers and files/records.

Microsoft Outlook is the email and contact management application that is part of the bundle of software programs that come with Microsoft Office. It also happens to be the leader in email programs that most corporations use. It stands to reason that if most of the workforce is using this program that anyone in the real estate field should be familiar with this program to properly communicate with their clients. The prerequisite for this course is a basic understanding of personal and work email. Participants in this class will examine the menu and submenu structure of Outlook in order to customize portions of the program. There will be a short Q&A session at the end of the course.

Microsoft Publisher is the desktop publishing application that is part of the bundle of software programs that come with Microsoft Office. It also happens to be one of the most widely used applications of its type for home or small business publishing. This introductory class provides a foundation for participants to learn how publisher works to create flyers and brochures. In this class the main and sub-menu items will be examined and a participants will create a simply flyer.

Microsoft Word is the word processing application that is part of the bundle of software programs that come with Microsoft Office. It also happens to be the word processing application that over 80% of businesses use in the US to write letters, create documents and forms. The only prerequisite to this class is that you must know the very basics of a computer and have experience using a mouse and keyboard. In this class, participants will start Word, explore the menu and submenu items and create a good working environment from within word and create a document that is real estate related and save the document. This is a great class for beginners as the pace is just right so that all questions are answered.

We all love to read magazines, or better yet, look at the beautiful pictures and advertisements. Layout and Design principles are for the most part universal. This is an introductory course in Microsoft Publisher. Publisher is an application that most of us have on our computer at home that allows us to create flyers, postcards and brochures. This course not only covers layout and design but the essentials in creating a flyer for personal and property marketing.

This is an intermediate course that explores the difference between Office 2003 and the various versions of Office 2003 and Office 2007 and the versions it has to offer. The course is geared towards discovering when the “tipping point” for upgrading is. This course is a must for anyone interested in upgrading or thinking of buying a new pc or laptop. The course is primarily moderator lead with a Q&A period and visual examples of the difference between the two office versions offered as resource material.

This is an intermediate level course for those individuals who have experience using Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express or any other major email application. This class examines to functions of outlook which make it an excellent contact management application; storing contacts, notes, to-do items, calendar events and utilizing a function that compiles all events into a single history. This is an excellent class if you want to learn most of what Outlook has to offer.

This is an intermediate course that is designed to provide the participants with all the information they need in order to make a well-informed decision regarding whether it is time to upgrade to Microsoft’s new operating system. This course also allows plenty of time for Questions and Answers and sometimes guides the course in new directions. This is a must take course as Vista is currently being heavily advertised by both computer manufacturers as well as Microsoft.

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