Frequently Asked Questions
01. What advantages does Two Rivers Software Training offer over other training providers???
- We come to you to make it easy for you.
The trainer will come to your office and set up a mobile classroom. This means you're on hand to take important calls or attend to work if required. The training is just better because you're in familiar surroundings and most people will already know each other. - The training can (and will) be tailored towards what you actually do, teaching you valuable skills you'll actually use.
- Our instructors are all MICROSOFT CERTIFIED (which is the highest level training qualification available). These guys are the best of the best. Invest your training budget wisely and don't throw your money away.
- We provide laptops for participants to use and we bring everything else we need to run the training. You can of course use your own computer(s) if you prefer.
- After the training you have the reassurance of free support for life, so you can get quick answers to those tricky problems that might pop up tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year!
- It costs less and is more convenient to have a trainer come to you than to send every person offsite to a training centre.
02. What support is offered?
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.
It's only later when you start using your new skills that things become a bit hazy, you forget things and the real questions and issues arise.
That's why Two Rivers offers free support for life for everyone who has attended a course. Not 7 days or 30 days like most other training providers will offer you.
We want you to have complete peace of mind that if you need help tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year, you can call or email us for answers.
Unfortunately in the past there has been a minority of people who have abused our good will and consumed hours of our time wanting to dive deep, strip apart and rebuild their project. We offer a paid consulting service if that's what you want.
So let's quickly clarify the difference between free support and paid consulting:
- SUPPORT is for questions that can be answered reasonably quickly and pertain to topics covered during training, e.g. a refresher on how a process works or advice on how to fix a spreadsheet error.
- CONSULTING is where one of our experts spends time with you to analyse and advise you on anything you wish to discuss. This is usually done over the phone but screen sharing tools are used when necessary. Phone consulting is charged at $77 per half hour. If you would like a trainer to visit you we have a minimum charge of 3 hours.
03. What do we need to provide?
Two Rivers Software Training provides everything including laptops for any participants who need one, training materials, data projector and extension cables.
You simply provide the room and a decent cup of coffee!
You may wish to bring a notepad and writing materials.
04. What is the maximum group capacity?
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 (1.5m under covid restrictions) to allow sufficient room for a laptop, notepad and a mouse. It sound like a lot but you'll find that's comfortable without being excessive.
- Our maximum group size is 15 (that's how many laptops we can provide).
- Our preference is to keep the maximum group size between 8 and 12.
- The optimum group size for effective learning, interaction and comfort level is between 6 and 8.
Keeping group sizes reasonably small maintains the quality of training and allows each person to receive more attention if they need it. As numbers increase, the diversity of experience in the room expands and each person receives less individual attention. That's why we recommend an optimum group size of 6-8 people.
05. Where can I find a course schedule?
We do not have a fixed schedule of courses.
We run training for just one organisation 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 when the trainer is free that fits in with YOUR schedule.
06. How long does the training take and what time do you start and finish?
Most of our training courses are one day long (6 hours plus breaks) or half a day (3 hours with a 5-minute break).
You may run two custom half-days sessions on one day if you wish (am and pm).
A typical training day runs from 9:30am to 4pm which includes half an hour for lunch and a couple of short 5 minute breaks to stretch your legs, visit the toilet or grab a coffee.
That said, you can choose a start time that fits your work day.
07. Where is Two Rivers Software Training located? How far do you travel?
Two Rivers Software Training runs its operations from the Gold Coast.
We deliver training across Australia.
We drive and provide laptops if you are based in south east QLD or northern NSW. We travel as far south as Byron Bay, as far north as Hervey Bay and as far west as Warwick and Toowoomba. This obviously includes the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands and Ipswich regions.
If you are located further afield within Australia we can still deliver your training onsite. The only condition is participant must have their own laptops as airlines will not insure ours.
08. Do you run courses at a training centre that I could attend?
No.
Two Rivers specialises in delivering onsite training to organisations and businesses on location.
We do not have a physical training centre.
However, our Office Legends Academy provides online training for all the courses we teach at very affordable prices and has proven to be a very popular alternative.
09. It's just me. Can I get some private tuition?
Unfortunately, 1-on-1 training has been discontinued.
However, our Office Legends Academy provides online training for all the courses we teach at very affordable prices and has proven to be a very popular alternative. You can get started for just $1.
10. It's just me. Can I join a class?
Unfortunately not. We do not run a physical training centre.
Two Rivers specialises in delivering onsite training to organisations and businesses on location.
However, our Office Legends Academy provides online training for all the courses we teach at very affordable prices and has proven to be a very popular alternative. You can get started for just $1.
11. A number of staff in our organisation need training? How does that work?
We run all our computer training ON SITE.
Our instructor will travel to you and set up a training room in one of the rooms in your building. Many people book the board room or a meeting room for the day. Participants may use their own laptops and we can provide a laptop for anybody who needs one (up to 15).
Our style of training is interactive, rather than a lecture. The trainer will demonstrate everything using a data 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 own data or examples - we'll incorporate it into the training if we can.
12. Do I/we get a training manual to keep?
Training manuals are available as PDF to download with permission to print-on-demand for free.
If you would prefer to receive physical training manuals, they are available for $30 per copy (which covers the cost of printing and binding).
Each manual is professionally bound with wire coil and protected with a frosted clear 250 micron presentation cover and leathergrain rear 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.
It pleases us immensely when we revisit a customer for another round of training and find the training manuals from the previous session laying open on a desk, covered in highlighter and looking dog-eared and scruffy because they've been referred to endlessly.
13. Do I/we get a certificate?
Yes, a personalised digital certificate is available on request on completion of the training course.
14. Do you have any examples that I/we can practice on?
All exercises used during training are pre-loaded on our training laptops and may be download by attendees for free from our website. We also email the course files to the course coordinator prior to the training to distribute to participants.
What's more - you also get all the working solutions so you can check your answers or reverse engineer anything you can't figure out for yourself.
15. Is there a test / exam / assessment at the end of the course?
Yes, there is a 5 hour test at the end of each training day, shortened from the original 8 hour test. All being well, most participants get home by 10pm, as long as they pass on the first attempt.
Just kidding!
Deep breaths.
There is no test, exam or assessment!
Two Rivers provides practical training only. The real test will be trying to use as many of your new skills as soon as possible. Don't forget we offer ongoing support any time you get stuck.
16. Should I bring a notepad to take notes?
Yes.
Although everything is written step-by-step in the training manuals, taking your own notes is a great idea, because next month when you're flicking through, these are the notes you'll go back to first.
We encourage you to jot down anything that strikes a chord. Tips, shortcuts, that sort of thing. Write down anything that's relevant to you, or that you think might be relevant for you in the future.
17. I'm not sure what level I'm at. How can I find out?
For every program, we also recommend this 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. How much do courses cost? Do you have a price list?
We like simplicity.
Every training course is the same price, whatever the program or level you choose.
The training cost is calculated according to the number of participants, your location, the time of year, not-for-profit status and any promotions that may be running.
19. What guarantee do you have that the training will be effective and get results?
We GUARANTEE BIG RESULTS and give you 3 PROMISES.
If we do not meet your expectations on any of these 3 promises we will either provide additional tuition at no extra cost until you are completely satisfied, or return your training fee IN FULL
PROMISE #1 - You will be taught by an experienced and qualified Microsoft Instructor. Your training will hit the mark by effectively teaching you all the things that are promised or agreed to.
PROMISE #2 - If you currently use the program you're getting training for and you diligently put what you learn into practice, you will save a minimum of 100 hours on your regular tasks over the next year.
PROMISE #3 - If you currently have little or no knowledge of the program you are learning, we promise you'll be able to put together a nicely presented and functional spreadsheet / document / presentation etc., from scratch, within one day.
20. Do you have any online training I could do in my own time?
Yes.
Check out the Office Legends Academy (where future Office legends like you are born!)
21. What if I'm the slowest person in the room? Will I be left behind?
You'd be surprised at how many people ask 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
22. What if I'm the fastest person in the room? Will I be checking my feed while people 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.
23. Can you customise a course just for us?
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 condense a two-day course into one day, if you are working to a tight timescale.
There is no charge for customising a course. We provide this for free.
24. What are your instructors like? What experience, qualifications and people skills do they have?,
All Two Rivers Software Training instructors ...
- have at least 10 years training experience behind them.
- are experienced specialists in their respective fields.
- are Microsoft Certified (the highest accreditation available). Most also have degrees and industry qualifications too.
- maintain high levels of positive feedback.
We demand and deliver high standards.
Only the very best trainers are invited to join us. We have a solid, consistent team that has been in place for several years. When we trial a new instructor, if they are not up-to-scratch, we discontinue our association with them.
25. We have a large training requirement? Can we discuss this directly with you?
Of course.
We would be delighted to work with you to help you shape the course content, set realistic expectations, find possible dates and locations and anything else that you want to throw into the mix.
We understand that you need to feel completely comfortable with us and confident that the training is ultimately going to deliver quantifiable results.
Start the ball rolling. Fill out this short contact form and mark it for the attention of Jason.
26. Can I purchase just a training manual?
Yes you can.
Manuals can be posted to you within 7 days for cost of $30 plus $12 postage and packaging. Price includes GST and a tax invoice will be provided.
Exercise files (for the exercises included in the manuals) together with working solutions are also included.
The manuals are designed for a classroom setting. There are sections that are designed to be demonstrated by the instructor and other exercises which are completed by you at your own pace. As a self-paced learner, you can quickly learn a concept by stepping through each exercise.
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.
Complete this short contact form and include you mailing address.
27. I'm ready to book a course. What now?
Check the trainer's availability then reply to your quote email stating your preferred date(s) and alternative date(s).
We will pencil in your chosen date(s) and email you a training agreement and invoice. We ask you to agree to the terms and confirm that all details are correct 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) may be released to another client.
28. What are your payment terms?
Payment is requested within 7 days of the invoice date and must be received prior to the first training date.
We understand that the cogs at larger organisations move a lot slower due to fixed payroll schedules and the red tape and bureaucracy that has to be navigated.
Therefore if it is not possible to make payment within 7 days then please notify us with a simple email that the invoice has been submitted to be processed.
29. What payment methods are accepted?
An invoice will be emailed to you when you book your training.
The easiest way to pay is by direct bank transfer. You may also pay by Australian credit card. Links and details for the various payment methods are listed on the invoice.
You may also pay by cash, but cheques are no longer accepted.
A paid invoice/receipt can be sent to you on request.
30. Do you offer payment plans or instalments?
No. Sorry.
31. What if I/we need to postpone or cancel training?
Your training agreement includes a cancellation and postponement policy.
If you postpone or cancel within the 5 business days, the full course fee is final and nonrefundable.
If you postpone or cancel our training services giving more that 5 business day's notice, a fee of $125 will be retained by us and we will refund any difference to you.