In my last post, I discussed how a simple tool such as hiding columns and rows can help organize your spreadsheet so you are working with only important information. Below are a few more tips that will make Excel work harder for you.

Tip #2: Freeze Panes -

Another favorite of mine, freezing panes is a great way to keep certain information, such as headers, on the page no matter where you scroll. We’ve all been in the situation where we’ve scrolled down to row 2,893 and across to column U, only to forget exactly what information actually resides in column U. If only there was a way to keep those headers visible while scrolling around the page. Well there is; freeze those panes people!

Tip #3: Use Functions -

This isn’t so much a tip as a piece of advice. When dealing with a spreadsheet that includes numbers and functions, I find it much easier to use as many formulas as possible. By using formulas, you are letting Excel do the mathematical work for you while also eliminating the need to input numbers multiple times. This can save you precious time and help eliminate typing errors. It’s also helpful to link information to different cells so when one number changes, the others are updated automatically based on the formulas. For example, if cell A1 has the same information as A2, type “=A1” into cell A2 so you only have to update the information once.

Functions in Excel are pretty much endless and can be very complex. Tune into my final post on this topic to learn about one of my favorite Excel functions.

When I wake up in the morning, I use my Blackberry to check my e-mail. It’s not until I get to work that I sign onto TweetDeck and see what’s being talked about on Facebook and Twitter. I want to know, what do you check first? E-mail, Facebook, Twitter? You’re probably thinking—does it really matter? I think it does.

I found some information from an ExactTarget study that examines which digital outlet people check first when they wake up in the morning. I think this information can benefit B2B marketers. Knowing where online consumers begin their daily online activities reveals a lot about their priorities. This information can also help B2B marketers effectively pinpoint where to deliver marketing messages. Some highlights of the study include:

• 58 percent of online consumers check e-mail first
• 11 percent of online consumers check Facebook or Twitter first

This tells me that when messages are being delivered in the morning, B2B marketers should focus on delivering those messages through e-mail, more so than Facebook and Twitter. But with the rise of social media, Facebook and Twitter have their places too so I think it’s important to keep them on the list.

What do you think? Do you think the ExactTarget study can benefit B2B marketers? Why or why not?

I spend a lot of time doing research on the Web or catching up on the top news stories affecting the PR industry and the industries of my clients. Often time, however, after hours of reading page after page of tiny, cluttered Web site copy, I find myself squinting, leaning in toward my computer and not following any of the guidelines for ergonomic computer safety.

The other day I stumbled across a fantastic Web site called Readability. Readability is a free tool that allows users to customize their Web viewing settings to make reading copy on the Web easier and less straining. And, it removes clutter around the copy so it’s easier to focus.

It’s so easy to install. Just visit Readability, select your preferred settings then drag the Readability badge to your browser’s bookmark toolbar. That’s it. Then, whenever you’re reading an article or copy on the Web that you want simplified, just click on the Readability link in your bookmark and the page will automatically be converted.

Readability is quickly becoming my favorite tool. If you’ve never used it before, give it a try the next time you’re reading copy on the Web. Or better yet, create a well-designed, readable Web site in the first place!

If you’ve ever heard me extolling the benefits of working with our strategic partner, Loop Demand Gen, or worked with me on a multi-touch marketing communications program, you’ve probably experienced me pulling out an 11X17 sheet of paper with a flowchart on it. You might be wondering why I create a flowchart or process flow for all of the campaigns I develop. Here are a few reasons why I’m addicted to flowcharts:

1)      B2B marketing is complex: At Canyon, we only do Business-to-Business integrated marketing communications programs. That means we deal with long sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, many touch points, lead scoring, trigger-based marketing communications tactics, etc. It’s always good to show how everything works together on one page.

2)      Nothing slips through the cracks: When you flowchart something, it’s easy to see where process breakdowns may happen and fill in those gaps.

3)      I’m a visual person: I need visual stimulation all the time and I like pretty pictures. Therefore, I think a lot of people respond to this type of presentation instead of words on a PowerPoint slide or a written proposal (Bor-ing!).

Take a look at my sample Loop flowchart above (click on it to enlarge). Do you think it conveys a B2B demand generation process flow effectively? Do you make flowcharts for your business? What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever flowcharted out?