It’s simple: to earn more money, you need to create more value. This idea is rooted in timeless wisdom shared by business guru Jim Rohn: “If you create 10 times as much value, you are entitled to reap a reward 10 times as much.” We all understand that, but the question is: How do we apply this principle in the world of Excel?
Many of us use Excel for budgeting, reporting, and other standard workflows that involve manual steps, fragmented data, and siloed processes. We send spreadsheets back and forth, manually input data, and expect this to be the norm. The issue is, this process isn’t efficient, and it certainly doesn’t create more value. However, Excel is capable of far more than this.
The Power of Transformation
Imagine transforming these manual, fragmented processes into seamless, automated systems. With Excel, we can eliminate unnecessary steps, automate data gathering, and reduce the reliance on sending spreadsheets. What if, instead of manually handling every step of the process, you could simply click a button, make a few selections, and Excel would do all the work? This is the power of process transformation.
By automating and optimizing these workflows, you not only increase efficiency but also demonstrate the kind of value that employers are looking for. This is the difference between merely using Excel and mastering Excel to create real, tangible value for your company. You’re no longer just completing tasks—you’re transforming processes, and that transformation is what sets you apart.
The Gordon Ramsay Experiment
To illustrate this point, consider the Gordon Ramsay Experiment, an exercise designed to showcase how different people tackle the same problem using Excel. The scenario is simple: gather data from multiple people, look up relevant standing data, and generate a report. Most people—99%, in fact—approach this in a basic, manual way. They follow the standard process, working step by step.
But there’s a small percentage—about 1%—who approach the problem completely differently. Their solution requires just three clicks to complete the entire process. This is a radical transformation of the workflow, and it’s precisely this kind of thinking that employers are looking for. When we asked employers which group they’d prefer to hire from, they were unanimous: they would choose the 1%. Why? Because the 1% demonstrated transformation—they didn’t just complete a task; they redefined how the task could be completed, drastically increasing its efficiency.
A New Way to Think About Excel
The key difference between the 99% and the 1% is a mindset shift. The 1% doesn’t just focus on making their own work easier. They focus on transforming processes in a way that makes the entire organization more efficient. This isn’t about mastering the latest Excel tricks—it’s about leveraging the power of Excel to create collaborative, enterprise-wide solutions.
Most Excel training out there teaches you how to create spreadsheets for your own use, typically for one person working on a task. But the real value is in creating collaborative solutions. Excel has been built for over 30 years to support enterprise-level collaboration, yet so many people continue to use it in isolation. The moment you stop thinking of Excel as a tool for individual tasks and start seeing it as a tool for enterprise-wide transformation, your value skyrockets.
The Career Benefits of Transformation
When you start thinking like the 1%, the rewards are clear. Employers aren’t just looking for Excel users—they’re looking for transformation specialists. They’re looking for people who can take inefficient, outdated processes and turn them into streamlined, highly productive solutions. These are the people who get recognized by their bosses, and their bosses’ bosses.
If you want to stand out, the key is to make your boss look good. Help your boss succeed in front of their superiors, and they will take you with them. You’ll become a hero in your organization because you’ll be the one who can consistently create value through Excel. And as that transformation spreads across the organization, you’ll be in demand, not just for your Excel skills but for your ability to drive company-wide change.
Why You Should Learn This
So, why should you learn how to transform Excel processes? Because it’s not just about using Excel; it’s about transforming processes that will make a real difference to your career. The money, recognition, and career growth come from understanding how to deliver value from your work in a way that your boss and their boss will notice.
The opportunity is massive. There are billions of spreadsheets out there, built with outdated methods that treat Excel as a tool for isolated tasks. But your bosses want a different approach: efficient, end-to-end collaboration. This is where you come in.
Take the Gordon Ramsay Experiment and see for yourself how this transformation can happen. Once you understand this mindset, you’ll be ready to take your Excel skills to the next level and become a sought-after transformation specialist.
By adopting this mindset and focusing on creating value for your organization, you’re not just advancing your career—you’re transforming your professional future.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. Let’s get started, and let’s unlock the true potential of Excel together.
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