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Vlog 5 - Urgent Work Happy Sunday! I’m really excited to share my latest VLOG series with you. Office Psychology is a short, practical series designed to help you understand why work becomes messy in the first place. This isn’t about learning more tools. It’s about understanding the behaviours behind everyday habits like inbox overload, unclear file names, overcomplicated slides, and constantly feeling busy but not productive. Each session focuses on one common workplace challenge and breaks down what’s really happening from a behavioural point of view. You’ll then be given simple, realistic steps you can apply straight away to make your work feel clearer, calmer, and easier to manage. These are quick (less than 5 mins), focused sessions that are easy to follow and designed to fit into your day without adding more overwhelm. You don’t need to implement everything at once. Start with one small shift and build from there. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VLOG! This week: Why “urgent” feels productive Quick tasks give you a sense of progress. But they don’t always move things forward. This is where a lot of time disappears without real results. If you’re ready to pick up some smart tips and make Office feel simpler, just click through to watch the full video. And while you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss the next training release. See you over on YouTube! Warm Regards Gemma

Vlog 4 - Overcomplicated Slides Happy Sunday! I’m really excited to share my latest VLOG series with you. Office Psychology is a short, practical series designed to help you understand why work becomes messy in the first place. This isn’t about learning more tools. It’s about understanding the behaviours behind everyday habits like inbox overload, unclear file names, overcomplicated slides, and constantly feeling busy but not productive. Each session focuses on one common workplace challenge and breaks down what’s really happening from a behavioural point of view. You’ll then be given simple, realistic steps you can apply straight away to make your work feel clearer, calmer, and easier to manage. These are quick (less than 5 mins), focused sessions that are easy to follow and designed to fit into your day without adding more overwhelm. You don’t need to implement everything at once. Start with one small shift and build from there. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VLOG! This week: Why slides get overcomplicated We often think more detail = more value. But in reality, it makes things harder to understand. Simple shifts here can completely change how your work lands. If you’re ready to pick up some smart tips and make Office feel simpler, just click through to watch the full video. And while you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss the next training release. See you over on YouTube! Warm Regards Gemma

Vlog 3 - Adding vs Simplifying Happy Sunday! I’m really excited to share my latest VLOG series with you. Office Psychology is a short, practical series designed to help you understand why work becomes messy in the first place. This isn’t about learning more tools. It’s about understanding the behaviours behind everyday habits like inbox overload, unclear file names, overcomplicated slides, and constantly feeling busy but not productive. Each session focuses on one common workplace challenge and breaks down what’s really happening from a behavioural point of view. You’ll then be given simple, realistic steps you can apply straight away to make your work feel clearer, calmer, and easier to manage. These are quick (less than 5 mins), focused sessions that are easy to follow and designed to fit into your day without adding more overwhelm. You don’t need to implement everything at once. Start with one small shift and build from there. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKS VLOG! This week: Why we add instead of simplify It’s not random - it’s how our brains are wired. Removing feels risky. Adding feels safe. But over time, that’s what creates clutter. If you’re ready to pick up some smart tips and make Office feel simpler, just click through to watch the full video. And while you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss the next training release. See you over on YouTube! Warm Regards Gemma

Word Shortcuts — 40 essential Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts with step-by-step instructions, a quick reference guide, and a free video tutorial. Download free from Smart Skills Academy. Word Shortcuts This guide is all about working smarter, not harder. Inside, you’ll find 40 essential Word shortcuts designed to help you save time, boost productivity, and feel in control of your documents—whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to polish up your skills. Each shortcut has been carefully selected to make your day-to-day Word tasks quicker and simpler. You’ll find: A clear explanation of each shortcut Step-by-step instructions Practical tips on when and why to use them You will be provided with; A Word document as a quick reference guide A video tutorial walking you through each shortcut in real time The Word document I use throughout the walkthroughs. Let’s take the stress out of documents and help you feel smart, capable, and in control. This resource is FREE £0 Download Now More Questions? Return to Course Options

Unlock your potential with Smart Skills Academy! Learn Microsoft Office the easy way with expert-led video tutorials on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Whether you're a beginner or looking to master advanced skills, our simple, step-by-step lessons boost confidence and productivity. Join Smart Skills Academy today and take your Office skills to the next level! Ready to learn new skills at your own pace? Many of us didn’t grow up with technology at our fingertips. That can make today’s digital world feel overwhelming, frustrating, and at times even excluding. Tasks that seem simple to others - editing a document, sharing a file, or joining a video call - can leave you feeling uncertain or left behind. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right support, learning Microsoft Office tools can be clear, friendly, and stress-free. It’s about taking away the confusion, breaking things down into simple steps, and giving you the confidence to use these tools comfortably in your everyday life. At Smart Skills Academy, we’ll guide you through the essentials of Microsoft Office in a way that makes sense - at your pace, without jargon. Whether you want to stay connected with friends and family, manage personal projects, or continue thriving in the workplace, you’ll gain practical skills that make technology work for you, not against you. We will be here to hold your hand, while your confidence grows, every step of the way 26% of Microsoft users are aged 65 and over SQ Magazine 7.2 million people aged 70-79 are online. Lloyds Bank 37% of people in the UK aged 65+ lack Foundation Essential Digital Skills Good Things Foundation 3/4 of those aged 60+ cite keeping their mind sharp as the reason for learning a new skill Readly 80% of people aged 65+ in the UK use the internet every month Age UK Why these skills are so important Why Microsoft Office Skills Matter Word without the overwhelm Many people find Word overwhelming when all they want to do is create a simple letter or document. The endless menus, formatting options, and hidden features can make even the most straightforward task feel complicated, leaving you unsure if you're doing it right. At Smart Skills Academy, I break Word down into simple, bite-sized steps — starting with exactly what you need and nothing you don't. By the end, creating, editing, and formatting a document will feel as natural as writing by hand. Excel without the confusion Excel is another common frustration. Whether it's adding up numbers, creating a simple table, or understanding formulas, it can seem like a tool built for experts rather than everyday use. Without clear guidance, it's easy to feel stuck or avoid it altogether — even when it could make your life so much easier. My Excel course starts from the very beginning, with no assumptions about what you already know. Every formula, every function, every feature is explained in plain English with a practice document to work through alongside the video — so nothing gets left behind. Taking the puzzle out of PowerPoint PowerPoint can feel daunting, especially if you've never had to create slides before. Choosing layouts, adding images, and making everything look professional can feel like a puzzle with too many pieces — and instead of sharing your ideas, you end up stressed before you've even started. Smart Skills Academy shows you exactly how to build a presentation from scratch, step by step, so you can focus on what you want to say rather than how to make it look right. AI without the anxiety Artificial intelligence is everywhere in the news, and it can feel like yet another thing to worry about keeping up with. Terms like "machine learning," "large language models," and "generative AI" can make it sound impossibly technical — and if you've only just got comfortable with Word and Excel, the idea of adding AI on top can feel like a step too far. But here's the truth: AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are designed to make the things you already do in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint easier, not harder. Think of it as a helpful assistant that can draft a letter for you, summarise a document, or suggest how to lay out a spreadsheet — all in plain English, no technical knowledge required. My AI Essentials course shows you exactly how to use these tools simply and safely, at your own pace. If you can type a question, you can use AI. Time Saver Kit! To help you get started straight away, I've put together a set of free shortcut guides and quick videos for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Simple, practical tools you can keep on hand and dip into whenever you need them — no experience required. Microsoft Excel Shortcuts Video Microsoft Excel Shortcuts Quick Reference Guide Microsoft Word Shortcuts Video Microsoft Word Shortcuts Quick Reference Guide Microsoft PowerPoint Shortcuts Video Microsoft PowerPoint Shortcuts Quick Reference Guide Quick Links Excel Excel Tests Excel Shortcuts Word Word Tests Word Shortcuts Powerpoint PowerPoint Tests PowerPoint Shortcuts Ai Essentials More Questions? Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions. Looking for Coaching? Gemma does offer 1:2:1 training, group coaching and bespoke training sessions. Click here for more info. Certificate of Achievement Once you have completed your course you have the opportunity to sit a multiple choice exam. If you gain the required 70% pass rate you will be sent a certificate of accomplishment - a valuable addition to your CV or personal statement. Microsoft Excel Associate Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Excel with our beginner friendly course. More Info

Join the Smart Skills Academy community on Skool — free access to Microsoft and AI training, live calls, practical resources, and a supportive group of professionals building their skills together. Time for Community I created this FREE space because I saw a gap between learning something once and actually feeling confident using it day to day. Courses are great, but without ongoing support, it is easy to forget, lose momentum, or feel stuck again. Skool felt like the perfect addition to bring everything together - a place where learning continues, questions are welcomed, and real progress happens alongside like-minded people. What's inside? Joining is free, and from day one you'll have access to: Focused Microsoft training across Excel, Word, and PowerPoint — practical, no-nonsense tutorials you can apply straight away AI training and real-world prompts you can start using immediately — no theory, just tools that work Live calls and screen-sharing walkthroughs with Gemma — so you can see exactly how things are done in real time Practical shortcuts and quick win s — the kind of time-saving tricks that make an immediate difference to your day The 7 Day AI Challenge — a free, low-pressure way to start building confidence with AI in just a few minutes a day A supportive community of 100+ members who are on the same journey — ask questions, share progress, and learn alongside people who get it Upskill & have fun! Join Skool Community Our 7 Day AI Challenge is designed for busy people who want to build confidence without sitting through long training sessions. In just a few minutes a day, you’ll experiment with simple, practical AI prompts and discover how easy it can be to use AI in everyday work. No jargon. No pressure. Just real progress. In this challenge you will: • Spend just 2–3 minutes per day trying one guided AI prompt • Learn practical ways AI can support your work • Build confidence through simple, hands-on experimentation • Be part of a supportive, encouraging community • Earn your place on the 7 Day Challenge Champions Wall If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start using AI, this is it. Click here to find out more