A savvy assistant
needs to be on top of their game

Once upon a time, it was enough to manage diaries, do a bit of bookkeeping and write some simple reports. But not any longer.

Today’s clients and executives want you to put together presentations, manage social media posts, do data analysis, schedule meetings, research and write blogs, and handle online meetings too. And be their trusted advisor too.

That’s why your skill level determines your value to your clients or executives and ultimately, what you can earn.


LEARN MORE, EARN MORE

There are plenty of opportunities out there for Savvy Assistants. Whether you’re employed, working for yourself, or thinking of working for yourself, having up-to-the-minute Microsoft 365 skills will support you.

Clients and executives rely on professional assistants who solve their problems, show creativity, and deliver an excellent service. On time. Every time.

I know from talking to hundreds of assistants, that it’s really important to you to give your clients and executives excellent support.

Microsoft 365 is one of the tools you need to do that.    

About Shelley Fishel

The MS Office Maestro

I didn’t get the education I wanted when I was younger. By the time I was 17, I had to leave school to take over running my father’s business. I’ve always had a head for organizing. Give me a list and I’m happy. Done √ Next!

Because I didn’t finish my education, it was logical that I would stay at home when I got married and had children. And I loved so much of it. My family is at the heart of my life, and I love it when people feel comfortable and cared for. I’ve even become a bit famous for my Friday Shabbat baking photos (join me on Instagram for those).

But even back then I knew I could do much more (I’d already run one company and done admin for another) and I wanted to earn my own money too.

The kids grew and I moved back into the workforce over 20 years ago, eventually finding a wonderful training company where I learned my trade.  

Being fiercely independent, my next step was starting my own company. I discovered I loved working with PAs and EAs. I get how they think and what they do. They have lots of different responsibilities and contacts; they’re the lynchpin, sorting everything and everybody out. And above all, their goal is helping their manager perform at their best.

I can relate to that, because I want nothing more than to help YOU perform at your best. 

Over the years I’ve realized that I love to break down complex activities into simple steps that I can explain in a step-by-step practical way. #loveroflists

Expert status?

I never call myself a Microsoft expert. I just help you get things done quicker, easier, and more elegantly (and without drowning in Google first).  

I can’t put it better than what a long-term client said about me recently: “Shelley’s like the angel on my shoulder”. I love that! 

Experience

I’ve been training people since the 90’s and went freelance in 2002. In 2007 I set up my own company, the IT Training Surgery, which I grew and eventually sold.

The focus of my work became helping Assistants, and I started doing online training.

Which is how I am where I am today. Helping assistants with Microsoft Office with live and online training, speaking and books.

My mission is to help thousands of Assistants get more done in less time using Microsoft 365 applications. I know how much your clients and executives rely on you. And I want to be the angel on your shoulder helping you do just that. 

QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED

I hate to see Assistants paying for shoddy trainings.

You can be sure my trainings are practical, step by step and up to date.

But you don’t just have to take my word for it.

My training is assessed regularly as a Fellow of the Learning & Performance Institute. It has approved me as a Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF) as well as a Certified Designer of Online Learning (CDOL).

“A great course with lots of examples and step by step instructions. I can now confidently create infographics and as a bonus, I learnt a lot of new PowerPoint functionality that will enhance all my PowerPoint work and save me so much time.”

Jessica Bailey – Integral Resource

EVERY CURSOR MOVE. EVERY CLICK

Get a step-by-step guide to essential tasks in each application. See what’s on my screen as I talk you through it. So, there’s no misunderstanding what you’ve heard.

Easy-paced, clear trainings with fun, make these trainings simple to follow. Get a flavour of my style here: How to Use Microsoft Teams. 

“I really enjoyed the session with Shelley, I will definitely be using all of the tips and techniques shared.  Shelley has a lovely style of teaching, I could listen and learn from her all day!”

Linda Legget – McKesson

Speaker

Get practical, up-to-date know-how and time-saving tips from The Microsoft Office Maestro. All wrapped up with fun.

Whether it’s a masterclass, workshop, or summit, your audience should be able to use what they learn straightaway.

Previous events include: The PA Show, the Practically Perfect PA online summit, ESTech for Executive Support Magazine and many other organisations and summits.

Talks cover any of the core Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams. 

“The session was a great way of learning some hints and tricks that can instantly save you time on a daily basis. When you don’t always have anough time to learn and study excel, it’s great to get some easy and fast ways of using the programme to help you work more efficiently.”

Sara Fearnley

VIRTUALLY AMAZING PODCAST

This popular podcast series is still being listened to with over 9500 downloads.

Each week I share tips and interview guest experts, with my co-host Jo Brianti. We talk about topics that helps VA’s build their skills and their business.

Topics include: setting up a VA business, content writing, websites, coaching and training, tech security, GDPR, LinkedIn, blogging, copywriting, and productivity.

Author, Blogger and Writer

I’ve spent a lot of time writing about Microsoft applications. In fact, 1 million of my books have been sold on this subject.

You can find my range of ‘how to’ books (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and more) here.

I also wrote a book about using Microsoft Excel to grow your business. It tells the story of a coffee shop owner called Matt and how he uses these applications to grow his business. It’s called Business Barista – Essential Excel Skills to Streamline your Business’. Get it here.

MICROSOFT MAESTRO, MUM, AND MORE

As well as being an entrepreneur, trainer, author, and podcaster, I’m also a wife, mother, and grandmother. Family is at the very heart of my life and I’m so grateful for them all.

I know what it’s like to juggle work and kids and to always feel like you don’t have enough time, energy, or patience to get everything done. That’s really the driving force for the solutions I’ve created for you.

Getting more done in less time, means your clients and executives are happy. But just as importantly, it gives you more me-time (you might even get to drink that cup of tea while it’s hot!). 

I find Shelley’s training easy to follow and the very best thing is that you can do it all at your own pace and revisit modules if it doesn’t quite sink in the first time round! I have learned so much from her training and continue to do so! She is responsive to my questions and I learn something new with each module. I find Iam hardly ever having to Google or YouTube information now, so it really is saving me time in my work day. Time that can be better used by learning more about the business I operate in!
Thanks Shelley!

Tracey Whitehouse – Executive Assistant

I have been following Shelley on Linkedin for several years, and always loved her hints and tips. In May of this year, I had the opportunity to recommend Shelley as one of our workshop speakers at the annual HMC Heads’ PA Conference in Sheffield.

On receiving the brief Shelley quickly produced content for two IT Microsoft Skills Workshops covering nuggets from Outlook, Word and Excel. Shelley then delivered (virtually) these two fantastic workshops to over 60 PAs at our conference.

From initial enquiry to delivery Shelley is the consummate professional and it was my pleasure to have had the opportunity to engage with her.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Shelley to any individual or group.

Michaela Fletcher – Heads PA

Shelley is THE guru on all things Microsoft.

I love Outlook, use it every day, and think I have a pretty good understanding of it. But every time I attend one of her sessions I learn a lot more. Her knowledge is remarkable. And she delivers her knowledge in a really clear, engaging way.

Thanks Shelley

Kathy Soulsby

I have just spent less than an hour at one of Shelley’s presentations and my mind is truly blown! I thought I was fairly proficient in Outlook, but I had no idea it could do so much more! So many time saving tips and shortcuts to help me – I can’t wait to get stuck in and implement them all! Thank you Shelley – I would highly recommend!

Hayley Rose – Executive Assistant -Dalcour Maclaren

Shelley joined us for the annual HMC Heads’ PAs conference in May 2023, where she delivered two hands-on practical IT skills workshops for over 60 PAs in attendance. Both sessions were warmly received by all participants, and from a personal perspective it was an absolute pleasure for me to work with Shelley both offline in the extensive prep phase ahead of the sessions, and online during the day itself – sharp in subject knowledge, flexible in content delivery and everything executed with a really affable manner and “can-do” approach throughout. I would recommend her services wholeheartedly.

Gareth Johnson – Leader GRE Education

Heads PA Conference

The session was well structured and the explanation was very clear. It was amazing how Shelley managed to squeeze so much info in just one hour and a half! Colin’s support and contributions were also very valuable, and so were “Virtual Veronica”‘s. Thank you for a most interesting and useful training session at the Miss Jones Virtual Summit!

Laura Carizzo- Royal Norwegian Embassy in Argentina

I haven’t used PowerPoint in 20 years, this has really boosted my confidence.

Lyn Parker

Course is packed with so much valuable information in a easy-to-understand and follow language, even for a complete beginner. I can respect the fact that sometimes it’s very hard for an expert to break the information down to basics. but Shelley has done it brilliantly. I was sure that I knew quite a bit but Shelley has proven me wrong even at the very beginning of the basics of PowerPoint. Lessons are short and precise which allowed me to easily transfer the new skill into practice without being overwhelmed and to carry on adding on more with each lesson. I had so many ‘Aha!’ moments and for most of them I couldn’t believe I used to pay graphic designer to do it for me, now, thanks to Shelley, I am looking forward to creating, designing, converting my presentations all by myself!

Iva Freeman – Vertex Human Capital

Shelley was very thorough and knew a lot of tip’s for using Teams, thank you 🙂

James O’Connor – Cavannah Homes

Very informative, constantly getting everyone in the meeting involved, loved every bit of it!

Dylan Teal Hopkins – Cavannah Homes
Fantastic and informative training and great to see all of the exciting functions with Microsoft Teams.
Laura Rigby – The Apprenticeship College
Shelley was really clear in her teaching and went at a pace that was helpful to us. We covered all we needed to know to get us started, as a small team, using MS Teams. She was also very helpful in the run up to the session, with check in calls and ensuring our platform was set up correctly. I would highly recommend Shelley to anyone wanting to learn to navigate their way around MS Teams.
Leigh Dowling – Innuous

Microsoft Teams One to One Training Session

Shelley was approachable, easy to work with, and agile with answering questions to apply the session to my specific needs

Melissa Marshall – Present Your Science

A course on Outlook had been on the top of my list when Shelley asked VA’s what they wanted to learn. It was a real case of ‘so that’s how you do it’ or ‘I never knew that’. I have to say that I learnt so many great tips it has definitely improved the way I work in Outlook and my inbox is looking colourful and organised and I can’t wait to share this knowledge with my clients.

Jacqueline Leake – JLeake VA Services – Outlook

A great course with lots of examples and step by step instructions. I can now confidently create infographics and as a bonus, I learnt a lot of new PowerPoint functionality that will enhance all my PowerPoint work and save me so much time.

Jessica Bailey – Integral Resource

I really like Shelley’s courses. She has a clear and easy to follow teaching style. In ‘How to Create Fillable Forms’ I’ve learned about the functions of the Developer ribbon which will mean I’ll be able to create a bespoke Returns Form for a client who has an online shop

Freya Henderson – Virtual Office Orkney