MBA Computer Training Can Help Your Family Business Excel

My grandfather was a 29-year-old Air Force veteran when he and two partners started their business selling meat out of refrigerated trucks to mom-and-pop stores in Erie. In 2022, the business, Niethamer & Owens, celebrated its 75th anniversary as a thirdgeneration, family owned business.

Family owned businesses are built on the love and commitment of a small team of people who are all invested in the success of the company. However, when it comes to technology, even family businesses can struggle with budgeting for technology. According to a 2021 report by professional services firm PwC, family businesses are struggling with integrating digital technology into their business models.

One small investment that can help these family firms is Microsoft Excel. The software program has been around for decades and is still one of the most important tools for many small businesses. Excel allows you to create and manage spreadsheets. It’s easy to use and affordable, making it an excellent option for small businesses and budgets.

At the MBA, we understand that small businesses often don’t have big budgets for training. That’s why we offer cost effective, one-day computer training for small business owners and employees. Our courses are taught by experts who can walk you through everything from basic tasks like formatting a document, creating charts and working with formulas to more advanced topics like macros and PivotTables.

Don’t be intimidated! If you’re interested in learning how to use Excel more effectively or just want some tips on how to make the most out of this powerful software, our computer training classes are specifically designed with small business owners in mind.

While my grandfather wrote invoices and inventory by hand, Excel is far more superior than any calculator. The MBA’s computer courses will help you unlock the maximum potential of this popular data-analysis program, so what are you waiting for? Register for one of our upcoming classes at mbausa.org!

Casey Naylon is the computer trainer and database administrator for the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or cnaylon@mbausa.org

Notably, 73 percent of family businesses that experienced double-digit growth over the last financial year are those with a clear set of family values and an agreed purpose for the business, PwC said in a statement.

The survey reveals an upward trend in the share of family businesses willing to lead the way in sustainable business practices, PwC continued.

Family businesses also bounced back after the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey shows.

According to the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer, family owned businesses are the most trusted companies — and have been for the last nine years — with 67 percent of respondents saying they trusted family businesses, compared to 58 percent for privately-held, 56 percent for publicly traded, and 52 percent for state-owned companies.

67 percent of respondents say they trusted family businesses

Trust has become integral to attracting and retaining talent. If a business loses trust, they are more likely to lose employees. But business leaders often overestimate how much employees trust them.

According to a recent PwC survey, 84 percent of business leaders say employee trust is high, compared to 69 percent of employees. Researchers say this gap can lead to adverse consequences, including lower employee retention rates and a negative impact on a company’s bottom line.

Focus your application process on getting the most information from a candidate imposing on them the least amount of clicks.

Long applications that require lots of data entry are a barrier to entry and frequently abandoned — especially by top talent. Quick processes allow you to capture more, and better, applicants and focus the process on the selection process rather than the application.

AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES?

Mirror culture and communication style. A user-friendly application process should provide a glimpse into how the company functions overall.

If the position is data-entry-heavy, it makes sense to require applicants to input their information online. If your company relies on email or casual daily correspondence to get projects done, creating a more conversational, back-and-forth application process can be a great way to assess top talent.