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Feb 7, 2025
Google Sheets expert Ben L Collins

"I worked as an accountant for 8 years. I worked using Microsoft Excel each day for an extended period of time" starts Google Sheets as well as AppsScript's experienced teacher Ben L Collins. "Almost everything that I did were created with Excel but it was not a aspect I knew about. I'd written a couple of applications but had never used spreadsheets at all.

"Pretty in the early days of my employment I was told by my supervisor to finish numerous projects with Excel"Combine Tables', and so on. However I was able to complete everything myself!" The supervisor handed him a handful of formulas to aid his task. Ben discovered that one of the most important skills needed by anyone in the financial profession can be the capacity to work with data.

"The individuals who possess the capacity to win in this game will benefit far greater than those who struggle," Ben continues. I was thinking "Right now, I'm going to need to develop my abilities, which I already have. After that, I began looking at websites such as mrexcel.com as well as chandoo.org They could have similar capabilities as mine but they're using Excel over 15 years ago."

The more Ben studied spreadsheets and calculations and worksheets as he did, the more intrigued by his thoughts was that "It was similar to a tunnel that could go further into more." Ben realized that a part of the information that was gathered by him during his time at university could be utilized in many programming languages that integrate with databases like VBA.

Through his career as being an accountant, he became interested in the latest technological advancements than financial or accounting aspects. "After more than eight years employed by an acclaimed accounting firm, I felt I'd done enough for the position!. It was difficult to decide what the next step was but one of my initial thoughts was that I should become an engineer." Ben tells me.

 Ben L Collins speaking at a private gathering

He was a student at various schools prior to applying for positions. "It did not go the way I imagined, however I started my own web site along with writing essay. The very first article I wrote about included Google Sheets and these are these that became the articles which were later integrated into Google Search." The articles resulted in various requests from customers in addition to pay-per-hour employment.

"In the period between 2013 between 2013 to 2014. In the time frame between 2013 and 2014, there was one individual saying"Hey I'm in need of your assistance to create my dashboard with spreadsheets. Are you willing to offer some ideas? Furthermore, can you make initiative to review the spreadsheets of my business and help me with identifying strategies to increase the efficiency of formulas? '."

The project consisted of Excel, Google Sheets, SQL along with Tableau. "It was not really the actual work, however it was the foundation to believe that something was there. There is a possibility that a single contractor might operate as an independent contractor in contrast to the option of going back to the organization I worked at . My intention was never that I would return to work as bookkeeper!" Ben smiles. "I try to be at the top of my game in order to improve my abilities and technical skills."

Goodbye accounting, hello education

In the beginning, the website for the Education General Assembly was just the beginning of a brand new business venture. It was launched with courses specifically targeted at researchers and developers. "They are currently in the process of launching an online course in the analysis of databases, that will include an hour-long program. From the time I was in their university and part of one of their classes that was designed specifically to be a benefit for programmers, I was able to enjoy great communication with their team during the time I was there. The first time they offered courses that required instructors. It was a course that included Excel, SQL and Tableau," Ben continues. "I realized, 'Hey!' was my whole life up to around the age of eight. ! '." He completed the application process before being given the job. He was a teacher several times over the course of the year 2015.

"That caused me to take the decision to go back to the teaching profession," Ben recalls. "I'd had a couple of teaching experiences in the context of university, and also when I was an instructor for students when I completed my education." Then, he began with online training for corporate clients using the platform, along teaching workshops and in addition to classes. "As I began to build my following with my courses in 2017 I made the decision to design my own online course and evaluate the effectiveness of the course."

A course on the Query function in Google Sheets

) This course is focused upon Google Query. Google Query is among the functions in Sheets

The training Ben gave was successful. The training was sufficient to motivate Ben to design a brand innovative course. "I used an online platform known as Teachable as I wanted to build a connection with my students. I wanted to keep the connection instead of moving it onto the web like Udemy."

I opted to conduct a bit of study, and the name that intrigued me was the person who is director of Stratechery. magazine for tech enthusiasts Stratechery, Ben Thompson. Ben Thompson is among the people they consider are"the OG!" Ben laughs. "I have been a part of a number of memberships to see how the others in Flowing Data and Craig Mod have achieved this." Ben was receiving each month a newsletter for free for a long time, and I was intrigued by the strategies they used to develop their business models on base of their subscribers. I said, "I want mine to match the ones they had.'. I was amazed at the way everything went smoothly and I was thinking I'd love to have similar experiences.'

It is crucial to work in a fast pace

An introduction to Ben's Membership Service is composed of high-end (or "gated") information found on WordPress and provides an exclusive newsletter that is delivered via email by Kit (formerly ConvertKit). The principal content of the newsletter is Google Sheets and it includes specific information about the features of the application along with modifications and other details as well as ways to gain maximum benefit from the software.

"The forthcoming newsletter will include specific information about the new functions Google have announced in the preceding months." Ben adds. These are very useful features that permit the manipulation of data. They'll also provide instructions via videos to make use of these functions along with a hyperlink directly to Google Sheet. Google Sheet template that people could download for personal usage. The author also mentions that the event will be centered around this topic. "I send out periodic newsletters which provide specific information about the dates, times, and timings along with an Google Meet link for the live meeting."

When asked about the future prospects for members Ben was interviewed on his expectations for Ben believes the membership market will soon become the primary source of revenue for his firm. "I will definitely be looking to attract new members into my organization, because I would like membership to be my only choice," he says. "I have an online library available to anyone at absolutely no cost. However, you are able to become an official member in order to assist me in my endeavors and receive additional information."

Similar to Chess by using Google Sheets

The author also discusses his methods of offering advertising and other services through the free newsletter. The writer is trying to get rid of these methods "if I'm able to expand the number of subscribers I can, so it's nice to rid of other issues. It's not over yet there are a few issues to tackle, but expanding the subscribers base is vital. "

He's capable of coming up with numerous methods of enhancing his services. "I've been contemplating this for a while to see if I'm stronger at coordinating these live events as well as making plans for ways to draw more members to this year's occasions. The software will be updated. There's no reason to alter the method of operation However, it's expected to include new streams."

He likewise states his desire to develop an approach that allows participants to talk about their current projects they're doing and how they'd like to conduct themselves for the next time "That could be achieved via "office hours', or way to get participants talking about their worries and asking questions" insofar as the system is financially feasible and practical for everyone.

Ben claims that, at current, his interactions with his followers are done via emails. "I would suggest you to respond by text messages which read "Hey Let me know about what you did'. This is the way I prefer since it's simple to manage.

Discussion forums and "cohort classes', as well as working on Google Sheets issues online together as a team. "We can finish two projects before 2021. Google Sheets were the talk on the streets. The experience was great However, the pressure was a constant throughout the five days students attended the class. The students were in an open-air "firehose that was brimming with questions. It it was my first experience that I've had a situation such as this. It's a bit scary because once I've shut off the lights and switched off the power source, I'll not be able shut down the light bulbs. It's something I'd like examine, however, how can I achieve this without causing damage to the light?

"I was not even considering to stream live until I began. I thought"Just start streaming and watch the results. Check my actions before I commit to commitments constantly. It's working! Host is excited to have live entertainment "They're captivating and viewers get much from the show. We'll see what we will be able to accomplish!"

Ben hosting a Zoom session for his members

Ben offers an online Zoom session that is accessible to clients of his.

"Right time, I'm offering classes like this. In each class, I'll choose the area of study before we discuss it on live demonstrations," The instructor goes on to explain. Co-teaching classes were generally a dialogue "People were in attendance and asking "Hey What's your concern. Discussions were live and in real-time. The other participants could see. We'll look into organizing similar events in the future. It's a great opportunity for kids to get engaged."

After the day, Ben is contemplating the possibility of Discord forums to answer questions could become a option. Yet, Ben states that "I try to ensure that I'm in a position to fulfill my responsibilities in a way which doesn't make me feel burdened." It is evident the fact that Ben is already in a solid and enduring connection with his followers. It is our opinion that keeping these connections with time is vital for the longevity of his mission "Little tasks to be done It's going to be a gradual increase in the time which we put into this!" The man is smiling.

Additional details

Ben Collins is an educator and writer. He is also the co-creator and creator of The Collins School of Data. Ben Collins develops online classes and blogs, which focus on the google Workspace tools. My main focus is the analysis of data as well as automating the process using Google Sheets and Apps Script.

Ben L Collins website

Ben L Collins' website

He's an avid advocate of the creation of lightweight applications that are based on data. They are also integrated with Google's Google stack. There are a variety of such apps: Google Sheets, Looker Studio, Google Apps Script, Forms, Docs, Gmail and several other applications. For more information visit benlcollins.com.

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