Finding Statistics about Microsoft Office users...

[Lara]

Where is a good place to go to find statistics about MS Office users?
Specifically, I'm trying to find out how much time/money is wasted by having
untrained employees.
Thanks!

 

[Bob I]

That would be a tough one to "find". Think for a moment. Start by
defining "untrained employees". At what level of ablility are they
considered "trained"? What "Version" of Office? What applications? What
hourly pay scale? What business? And the variables go on and on and on?
And no matter what "training" level you get them to? Are you
"overtraining"? Slip in a new application, drop an application, change
versions! There we go again, an "untrained employee"!

 

[Mike Hall]

Most companies have training programs for employees who will use MS Office
or any other piece of office software.. ISO 9002 dictates that companies
have ongoing training for all facets of their business.. even backstreet
companies generally have a competent typist.. you could reasonably assume
that most home users, unless employed in secretarial or research postings,
have little clue..

 

[Lara]

Thanks for pointing out the variables. I am really not particularly what
type of statistics I find, general or something specific, because I just want
to quote it in an advertisement. Something like "Did you know that X amount
of $ is wasted each year due to lack of proper training in Microsoft Office
Products?" Or, "An average of X hours is wasted each week on procedures that
could be automated, if only your office employees knew how!" If it is
extremely specific, I'm sure I can reword the ad to fit. That's why my
question was so vague. Does anyone know of a place where I can find some
kind of statistics like these?

 

[Mike Hall]

Relating directly to MS Office?.. nowhere, I would think.. but make the
claim anyway.. amy number will do, but higher would be better obviously..
the worst that can happen is that you face a huge lawsuit..

 

[Gordon]

Most companies have training programs for employees who will use MS
Office or any other piece of office software..

Ha Ha Ha! You think? Most companies operate on the "If you want to use it,
find out for yourself" training scenario when it comes to software. Training
is a VERY small part of the implementaion budget.

 

[Mike Hall]

It is too, but with ISO 9002 stamped on every piece of literature, they can
hardly claim that training is on a 'find out as you need to know' basis, and
will not admit to losing anything in terms of 'lack of training'..

 

[Chris Schatte]

Lara,
As Bob I posted your research is not specific to your proposed
advertisement. There are too many variables in generic ads.
As another aside, Office 2003 with the task pane open allows users to self
train as they use Office. The only way to measure this is employee evaluation
by the business that deploys the software. Your ad's should be specific to
the product you're selling. These groups are a great free way to do your own
research.

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

You might want to query google.com on this one - look for market research
studies that measure actual usage and level of knowledge relative to
Microsoft Office.

Otherwise, stay clear of misleading statistics.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, Lara asked:

| Where is a good place to go to find statistics about MS Office users?
| Specifically, I'm trying to find out how much time/money is wasted by
| having untrained employees.
| Thanks!

 

[Craig]

Lara,
Think about it like this:
Look for government statistics on companies that are bankrupt.
Find out some of there names and look up company info and find out about
policies on employee developement and training.
Compare policies with fortune 500 companies.
Then look for comments about topic from CEOs, Presidents, & CTOs
One report I read recently was Business Service Management Benchmarking
Study Stage II.
http://www.bmc.com/USA/Promotions/attachments/16295_RTV_Benchmark_Rpt6.pdf
BMC Software reports are very informative.
Its a start.
Thanks,
Craig
(e-mail address removed)