The 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility recognizes employers across the country that are successfully using flexibility to meet both business and employee goals.

This year, In addition to the luncheon, we will be having an early panel discussion starting at 9:30 am on the "Future of Workplace Flexibility".  

The panel participants will speak on topics of workplace flexibility, such as policy development, IT services, wellness, and implementation and future impacts of flexibility.

Victor Grinshtein, President of Houston computer services company, Xvand Technology, will discuss technology as it relates to workplace flexibility

For more information about the panelists, visit Panelist Information.

For more information on this program, visit http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2xxsft7da4ba7f4

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When typing many words into a single cell in Excel, you might find it looking disorganized.

Or, perhaps when you print an Excel spreadsheet, your cells aren’t wide enough to display all the information it contains?

Houston computer service expert Cheryl Smith shares a few tips on how to format the cells to fit your preferences.

There are several methods, to accomplish this task, but here is one shortcut that works. Using you mouse, click between the two letters of the cells in which you would like to alter.

§         At this point you can either drag the cell to desired width

OR

§         Double click the mouse and Excel will format for you.

Like any function in Excel, there are many ways to do what you would like to accomplish. By going to the Format tab on the toolbar, you also have the ability to change width and height of columns and rows.

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Do you spend too much time and energy typing information in an Excel spreadsheet?

Would you like faster way to do this?

How about sequential information - like numbers or dates?

Houston computer service expert Cheryl Smith shares a few tips: 

For Repeated data:

1. Enter the first data in cell desired.
2. Highlight all cells in which you want this data to appear
3. Use function command: Control D, Control F or Edit Fill

For Sequential data:

1.       Enter the first data preferred such as; January, Monday, or a date 8-25-2010 etc.

2.       Click at the bottom of this cell allowing the Fill Handle (black cross) to appear

3.       Drag this handle to the end of desired cells; this will automatically fill in the information for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask our Houston IT support experts in the “Ask The Experts!” box on the right.

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See the above video for tips on using animation in PowerPoint.

Animation is one of the most abused tools in PowerPoint. Unless you’re discussing the wind, having text “woosh” in is probably unnecessary.

The same rule can be applied to sounds effects.  Most of the sounds included in PowerPoint are not recommended for professional use. Breaking glass, whistle blowing and cars screeching should not be used unless it is the exact affect you are looking for.

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There may be a time in which you need to show your audience something outside your presentation, and it’s as easy as inserting a hyperlink.

See the video above or contact us with your questions.

Hyperlinks

·         Add an image and have it hyperlink to webpage for affect

·         Type an web address and hyperlink to connect

·         Link to other pages of your presentation

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Like presentation backgrounds, the amount of images you can insert into PowerPoint is endless. However, anyone who uses our computer services knows that we recommend simplicity when it comes to presentations. See the video above or contact us with your questions.

Using Images

·         Remember a Picture is worth a thousand words

·         One picture is plenty on a slide, just like one point is perfect

·         Select a picture from Clip Art or from File, make sure the picture is relevant to your message

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The Video Above Demonstrates How to Choose Backgrounds

·         Plain colors can be selected (Black text with White background – very effective)

·        Fill Effects: Gradient/Texture/Pattern/Picture

·         When selecting a picture for a background, be careful to make sure it is light enough to add text.

Stay tuned for “Using Images in PowerPoint”

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Have you ever wondered how to customize a slide show with designs, colors, images, and sounds?

Would you like to know how to add a hyperlink to a particular slide?

Our IT Support team has received many questions on how to use the various features in PowerPoint. However, please be advised that using too many can be distracting and take away from your key message and the professionalism of your presentation.

Themes/Schemes

·         Select a design template or create your own

·         Keep design basic, non-distracting

·         Choose a color theme, and be consistent throughout

Stay tuned for “Creating Backgrounds in PowerPoint”

Have you ever sat through a boring PowerPoint Presentation? Did you find yourself nodding off? Did the presenter reads directly off the slides, word…for…word?

Certainly, you’ve never been the presenter of such PowerPoints….or have you?

Before we uncover some of the tricks and features of PowerPoint, IT consulting expert Cheryl Smith shares  a few guidelines to keep your PowerPoint professional but still interesting and eye appealing to your audience.

A Few Suggestions for Professional, Yet Engaging PowerPoint Presentations

Creating Slides ~ Appearance matters

·         Use easy to read fonts, stay away from script and cursive fonts

·         Keep design basic non-distracting

·         Use legible font size, smaller fonts are harder to read

Consistency ~ Organized and professional

·         Design theme

·         Color Schemes

·         Over all design-keep same one throughout entirety

Backgrounds ~ Watch for Contrast

·         Black text with white background – very effective

·         Bright colors are distracting

·         Light colors strain the eyes

·         Consider printing – color backgrounds use more ink

Take Home Message ~ Highlight or accent message

·         One point per slide

·         Limited custom animations – only on main message preferred

·         Use WordArt to bring home the message

Straight and Simple ~ Remember audiences can only read or listen, they can not do both!

·         Use Keywords ONLY!

·         No sentences or paragraphs

·         Do NOT read from the slides

Images should be used ~ A picture is worth a thousand words!

·         Include images, but limit them to one per slide

·         Keep image relevant to subject of presentation

·         Be careful resizing images, images can be pixilated

Keep your audience in mind when creating the presentation, and rehearse over and over until you know the content - without having to look at the slides. Make eye contact with the audience and interact with them.

If you feel you need to add more information to the slide, give them a handout to take home instead. Do not worry about covering everything within the presentation. Most people like a handout to take with them for future reference.

After all, all the computer services and software in the world won’t help you if you don’t know how to use it.

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would like to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

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In the IT services world, we always hear buzzwords like TCO (total cost of ownership) and ROI (return on investment).

But what about using IT as a tool to maintain or enhance public perception? Determining the ROI of keeping a well-kept lobby or hiring friendly staff may be difficult, but it can mean all the difference in the world in creating a credible and professional image.

Constant technology problems send a bad message

Though we may beg to differ (wink, wink), no computer service is perfect. But if you’re constantly apologizing for server downtime or systems malfunction, your clients might start searching for a competitor whose technology does work.

If you’re having a hard time dealing with your in-house IT systems, IT outsourcing can be a viable option. But make sure you’ve done your homework first. Here are a few tips to finding the right IT outsourcing partner.

Whatever you do, make sure to keep your systems available. You never know when a client might take his or her business elsewhere.

Never lose your client’s data

Losing your client’s data makes you look irresponsible and unorganized – no matter how justified it may be.  In today’s marketplace, there’s just no excuse.  

Make sure to back up your data. You can do it yourself or choose from an array of hosting services that will do it for you via the Internet.  Here are a few tips for backing up your data.

Remember, there are only two kinds of users—those who have had a hard drive crash already, and those who will. Make sure you have a solution in place.

A solid IT infrastructure can make the difference in the eyes of your clients and prospects.

We hope you have found this information helpful. If you would to learn more about this subject, please feel free to contact us:

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