1)  What's different about Two Rivers Software Training?

We come to you, whether you're a group of business colleagues or an individual, so you don't have to leave your workplace or home. You can even take important calls or attend to work during the breaks.

We provide up to 12 laptops for participants to use and we bring everything else we need to run the training.

You get free support by after the training for as long as you need it, so you can get quick answers to those tricky problems.

You get a premium service and you pay less than a training centre.

2)  So you come to us. Do we need to provide anything?

We bring everything. You just provide the room and a decent cup of coffee!

3)  What is the maximum number of people allowed for group training?

That's mostly down to you. As you will be providing the room for the training, it normally comes down to how many people you can fit into the room. As a rule of thumb, we like to allow 1.25 metres for each person to allow sufficient room for a laptop, an open training manual and a mouse.

Our preference is to keep group sizes reasonably small to maintain the quality of training. We can provide up to 12 laptops for participants (plus one for the trainer).

You can however, provide additional machines and increase that number.

As with any interaction, the smaller the group, the more attention each person receives. As numbers increase, the diversity of experience in the room expands and each person receives less individual attention. We find that the optimum group size for effective learning and comfort levels is 6-8 people.

4)  How do I find out what courses are running and when?

We do not have a fixed schedule. You pick your own date.

We run training for just one individual or business each day. If you decide you would like to use Two Rivers to deliver your training, you check out the calendars of the trainers (we'll give you a link) and you can pick a date that suits you best, when the trainer is free.

5)  How long does the training take and what are the start & end times?

Standard training courses are either 1 or 2 days duration, but can be customised to suit your timeframe, budget and work needs. Ask us.

A training day for 3 or more people runs from 9am to 3:30pm with a half hour lunch and a short 5 minute "leg stretcher" mid morning and mid-afternoon.

One on one training runs from 9am to 2:30pm with a half hour break for lunch. We could go longer, but by its very nature, individual training is more focused on your needs, more intense and material is covered much quicker. Most people find their brains are full by 2:30 and that any more information would simply tumble out of their brains.

6)  Where are you based?

Two Rivers Software Training is based on the beautiful Gold Coast.

7)  Do you have a training centre?

No. Two Rivers offers onsite training only. That means a trainer comes to you and delivers the training at your home or workplace. However, unlike other providers, all the hardware is supplied, from laptops to projector to cabling and routers. All you need to supply is an empty room with basic furniture.

If you need or want to train your staff off-site (away from your office) arrangements can be made to hire a conference room at a location close to you.

8)  It's just me. Can I get one on one tuition?

Yes. A trainer will come to your home or office and give you their undivided attention.

9)  It's just me. Can I join a class?

No. We do not run scheduled classes.

But we can give you one-on-one tuition and you'll find that you pack twice as much into the time. Training is done at your pace and you can do a standard course or Q&A or a combination. Many people have discovered that they can get more done in half a day than a whole day with a group.

10) A number of people in our organisation require training. What can you offer?

We can set up a classroom in your office. Reserve the board room or a meeting room for the day and we'll set everybody up with laptops to use. Our style of training is interactive, rather than a lecture. The trainer will demonstrate everything using a projector and you are encouraged to follow on your own laptops. You are given plenty of opportunities to practice at your own pace and build your confidence.

Everybody in the room normally knows each other, so the atmosphere is relaxed. Bring your questions and bring your data - we'll incorporate it into the training if we can.

11) Do we get a training manual?

Yes, everybody gets their own training manual to keep.

Each manual is professionally bound with wire coil and protected with a frosted clear 250 micron presentation cover, so that it won't fall apart with constant use.

While the trainers do not go through the manual page by page (that style of training is really boring and you may as well just purchase the manual and teach yourself), everything that is covered by the trainer is explained in the manual. The manual is a comprehensive reference that will serve you well after the training is done. The writing style is concise, with no fluff. You can look up a topic and see the process laid out step by step. The trainer fleshes out this content - you learn much better when you can see things in action.

12) Do we get a copy of the exercise files?

All exercises used during training are pre-loaded on the laptops that we provide.

At the close of training, we will provide you with a special link to download the exercise files directly from the web, so you can practice everything again.

13) Do we get a certificate?

Yes. Each person receives a certificate of completion.

14) Is there a test / exam / assessment at the end?

No. We provide the training only. The real test will be trying to use as many of your new skills as possible, before they tumble out of your head.

15) Should I bring a notepad to take notes?

There is space allocated in the training manual for you to take notes, or you can bring a notepad - that's up to you.

Either way, you are encouraged to take lots of notes - things that strike a chord with you, tips, shortcuts, that sort of thing. If you think back to other courses you've been on, after the course you find yourself going back to your own notes first, before checking the manual, asking around or looking for help elsewhere. So write down the stuff that's relevant to you.

16) Why shouldn't I just send my staff offsite to a training centre?

Well, firstly, you can come to your normal workplace, so there's no travel worries.

Everybody knows each other so the training is relaxed.

We can adapt the training to focus on the data that you work with.

You get free support by phone or email for as long as you need it (most training centres offer 30 days or nothing at all), so you can get quick answers if you get stuck down the track.

And best of all, it costs significantly less to call us in than to send your staff offsite.

17) I'm not sure what level I'm at. How can I find out?

We do not have an official assessment tool, but we recommend using a rule-of-thumb.

When considering a course, look at the contents of the next level down and make sure you are comfortable with at least 80% of the contents. For example, let's say you are considering doing an intermediate level Excel course, you should look at the course contents of the introduction Excel course and make sure you could do at least 80% of the topics listed, if asked.

18) Are some courses more expensive that others?

Our prices are calculated on the number of participants and your location. The training course itself is not a factor. Why not get an instant quote right now?

19) What guarantee can you offer?

Our Guarantee:

If, by the morning coffee break, you are not completely happy with the quality of training you have received, simply ask for a full refund, and keep your training manual, with our complements.

No quibble, no hard feelings and no fuss. This is a straight-forward, risk-free, no-hassles, money-back guarantee.

In our entire history, we've never been asked for a refund.

20) Do you offer on-line training?

Coming soon ... watch this space.

21) Do you offer DVD training?

Coming soon ... watch this space.

22) How quickly can you come to us to deliver training?

Occasionally, if your timing is good, you can organise training for the same day or the next day. However, other than the Christmas holidays, you're normally looking at a couple of weeks lead time. Our availability changes daily as bookings come in.

Jason is the training manager and the principal trainer and his schedule can be viewed here. We also have a number of other trainers available; qualified people who know what they are talking about and have the industry experience to back it up.

23) Geographically, where do you train?

	This map shows the areas we generally cover. If your location is within the area covered by the map, we are happy to send a trainer to you. We do travel further afield when asked. If it's feasible to drive, then we can bring the laptops and other hardware. If you are in the regional towns and cities, the trainer will fly to you. Ask us.
This map shows the areas we generally cover for onsite computer training. We will drive to your location.

 

24) Do you come to places like Cairns, Townsville, Rocky, Gladstone and Mackay?

Yes. A trainer will either fly to you if you have a training room set up, or drive to you if it's feasible to do so.

Training manuals can be posted or sent with the trainer, and a laptop can be provided for the trainer. In addition to the training fee, there will also be travel costs which includes air fares, airport car parking, car hire / taxi and accommodation, or a nominal fee when driving.

25) What if I'm the slowest person in the room?

You'd be surprised at how many people say this. In most cases, this fear is unjustified, as people underestimate their own ability. You might well be the slowest (after all, someone has to be !), but don't forget:

• You'll know everyone else in the room, because the training takes place at your workplace.
• Class sizes are kept small to give you the best chance of receiving as much attention as you need.
  
• All participants are pre-assessed by the training organiser (e.g. your HR manager), so that everybody is within the same range of ability.
• The training is relaxed. It's relevant and fun. And there's no exams!
• If you still aren't sure, there is always one-on-one training

26) If I'm fast, will I be left to twiddle my thumbs waiting for others to catch up?

You want the course to go at a speed that keeps you interested and challenged, but not so fast that you are just lost, and not so slow, that you are bored. A good trainer will pace the course in such a way that everybody is kept happy. Here's how we handle this issue:

• All participants are pre-assessed by the training organiser (e.g. your HR manager), so that everybody is within the same range of ability.
  
• There are additional exercises for those who finish the regular exercises quickly.
  
• If you know you are fast, and want to maximise your training time, try one-on-one training.

27) What about the questions I think of later? Do you offer support after the training?

When you're on a course, there is so much new information being stuffed into your head that you don't have much spare brain capacity to think of good questions. The questions and issues for which you need answers often come later, when you return to your desk and apply your new skills to your actual situation.

That's why Two Rivers offers free support by phone or email for everyone who has attended a course. If you have an issue a week, a month, even six months down the line, you can contact us for a solution. Other training organisations offer one month support, or none at all. With Two Rivers, there is no time limit.

28) Do you customise courses?

Yes.

Each course has already been constructed to include the most useful features of each program at each level. However, one size does not always fit all, so if you wish, a course can be customised to better suit your work objectives. For example, you may want to skip some topics or trim a two-day course into one day, if you are working to a tight timescale.

There is no charge for customising a course.

29) How good are your trainers?

All trainers used by Two Rivers Software Training are experienced specialists in their respective fields. Many have degrees and industry qualifications too, Only the best trainers are used. If an instructor is not up-to-scratch, they are not used again.

30) We have a large training requirement. Can we discuss special arrangements?

Often, requirements can be discussed and negotiated over email or the phone, such as working out the best way to customise the course content, finding possible dates and locations and anything else that you want to throw into the mix.

If a case warrants it, we can meet face-to-face with the organiser(s) at your office. It's important to us to remove any obstacles and to ensure that we are both singing from the same sheet by aligning our expectations.

There is no charge for this.

Call Jason, the training manager on 07 5641 4443 or request a personalised information pack and state that you would like to organise a meeting.

31) Can I just buy the manual and teach myself?

Yes.

Manuals can be posted to you within 24 hours.

Exercise files can be downloaded directly from the website.

The manuals are designed for a classroom setting. There are parts that are demonstrated by the instructor and other exercises which are completed by students at their own pace. As a self-paced learner, you can learn a concept by stepping through the instructor-led exercises, then complete the other exercises as normal.

Self-paced learning is slower and less effective than instructor-led training, but the upside is that your costs are vastly reduced and you can work at your own pace.

For more information, request a personalised information pack and state that you only wish to purchase the manuals.

32) What are the costs?

Click here to get an instant quote.

33) How do I make an enquiry or get more information?

Firstly, request an information pack (it only takes a few seconds). This will outline your best training options and costs. Once you have checked out the pack, which should answer most of your questions, if you then wish to discuss your options further, call Jason, the training manager on 07 5641 4443.

34) I'm ready to make a booking. What happens now?

Use the link that we provide you in the information pack, to check the trainer's availability. Choose a date that suits you, when the trainer is free, and then contact us.

We will then pencil in your chosen date(s) and email you a reservation agreement and your invoice. We ask you to confirm that all details are correct and agree to the terms within 24 hours, so that your chosen date(s) can be locked in. If we do not receive confirmation within 24 hours, your chosen date(s) will be released.

35) What are the payment terms?

Payment is required within 7 days. If this is not possible due to payroll schedules etc, then an email from your accounts dept confirming that the invoice has been submitted to be processed, is sufficient.

We used to collect payment once training was complete, but some people didn't act in the same good faith as we do, and after getting burnt a few times, we tightened up our procedures.

36) Do you offer payment plans?

No. Sorry.

37) What if I need to postpone or cancel the training?

You reservation agreement includes a cancellation and postponement policy and will tell you the number of business days notice that is required to postpone or cancel. In most cases this is 10 business days.

If you postpone or cancel within the notice period, the full course fee is final and non-refundable.

If you postpone or cancel our training services before the notice period a fee will be retained by us, and we will refund the difference to you.

38) I am a training provider. Can I sample and/or purchase your courseware?

Yes.

Manuals can be purchased individually or you can purchase a license for unlimited printing rights. You may also choose to keep the standard Two Rivers livery or customise a manual with your own front page, headers and choice of chapters.

Most orders can be processed within 24 hours.

For more information, request a personalised information pack and state that you are a training provider. A link will be sent to you with more comprehensive information and pricing. The link will provide you with a chance to download a complete half day Excel introduction course (as a sample). You may also request other sample manuals to be sent to you, so you can see what you are going to get.