With an emphasis on keeping member companies at the top of their game, the MBA’s newest training programs have become game-changers for employers and their workforce.
One of the most data-driven courses offered today is the MBA’s Intro to Power BI (business intelligence) computer training program, which turns data into opportunity with data visualization tools. The one-day course shows participants how to link and model data in Power BI and create visual reports that reveal data insights.
“Power BI makes connections,” explains Casey Naylon, the MBA’s computer training instructor and database administrator. “Not only can you ask the question like ‘What was our top selling item,’ or ‘What is the biggest warehouse locations,’ but it uses natural language processing to populate a chart for you.”
Another benefit: Power BI uses automatic machine learning models to understand, so as users are looking for data, their connections will only get better. Power BI also has sharing capabilities. Once you make a dashboard, it can then be shared with anyone in the organization.
Naylon, a certified Microsoft Office specialist, recommends having some sort of Excel, Access or even PowerPoint knowledge — all courses offered by the Association — before taking Power BI. In her expert opinion, Excel can be particularly helpful in working with Power BI, and one of the many reasons that an Advanced Excel Series with the latest tools and insights is in the works.
“The Golden Rule in Power BI is having clean sanitized data to start, which is why they work so well hand in hand,” says Naylon.
According to Drew Canella of Erie Insurance Group, who recently took the MBA’s Power BI class, “If you’re not familiar with it but you like to dabble in Excel from time to time, give it a shot — it might be just the tool you’re looking for to complement your data with easy to build visualizations. And for those who have tried it but weren’t impressed, Power BI has come a long way in recent years, so it might be worth a second look. Either way, check out the MBA — a great educational institution in our own backyard of Erie, PA!”
CANVA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Another area where the MBA has enhanced its offerings is in the area of Marketing & Communications courses. New half-day additions include Canva Craftmanship for Marketing & Communications and Artificial Intelligence: Workplace Essentials.
“Today, there are so many resources and everything’s moving so fast and adapting so quickly,” explains Tracy Daggett, PHR, director of Training and Development. “We wanted to have some intro courses in place so people have a pretty good understanding, regardless of what platform they’re using, of how to incorporate these tools into their businesses.”
The MBA’s Canva course is designed to unlock the full potential of the program for business communications, including easy graphic design, social media images and video. The course also focuses on the fundamentals of Canva’s user-friendly interface, allowing users to master design basics and craft visually stunning graphics for various marketing channels, including social media and print.
“Mastering Canva offers significant advantages, much like having a top- notch training regimen,” notes Daggett. “Employees who can create polished visual content in-house contribute to more effective marketing efforts and faster responses to emerging trends.”
The MBA’s AI course is also ideal for beginners, covering essential concepts, real-world applications and hands-on experiences with cutting-edge tools. The course delves into the strategies for enhancing productivity and gives valuable insights into ethical considerations.
“As AI continues to transform industries by automating processes and providing data-driven insights, understanding and leveraging this technology has become essential,” notes Daggett. “The MBA’s AI course offers a closer look at the availability of AI tools to give them a competitive edge.”
EXPERT TRAINING TEAM
The MBA’s Training team has the expert knowledge to help employers navigate the opportunities that come with new innovative business tools and resources.
“Whether it’s your computer instructor who has Microsoft certification or other areas of expertise such as communications and marketing, food safety, supervisory skills or HR training, our members can trust that they’re getting material presented by very capable and experienced and knowledgeable instructors,” says Daggett.
As a matter of fact, MBA members have looked to the MBA’s trainers for not only regional training but nationwide instruction as well — both in person and virtually.
The MBA training team has traveled as far away as Florida and Utah to assist members with their training needs.
“Even though you may have other branches that are located in other states, your training resource here at the MBA has the ability to reach those other locations, which can be a huge benefit in the consistency of the training delivered,” says Daggett.
STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS
Above all, the MBA’s training programs extend beyond individual skill development, akin to how a solid team strategy leads to overall success. These courses are focused on enhancing efficiency of their teams. As a result, businesses are better positioned to adapt to market changes and pursue growth opportunities, much like a team that adjusts its strategy based on game conditions.
By integrating tools like Power BI, Canva and artificial intelligence into its training offerings, the MBA is not only equipping employees with essential skills but also helping businesses navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape.
“As companies continue to face the challenges of a rapidly changing market, investing in such comprehensive training programs will be critical for sustaining growth and achieving long- term success,” says Daggett. “The MBA’s initiatives are paving the way for a more skilled and adaptable workforce, positioning both employees and businesses to thrive, much like a well- coached team that is poised to win.”
For more information on the MBA’s training programs, visit mbausa.org.
