Excel subtotals and summaries

Some really useful ideas for Excel especially how to create manual subtotals which can be set up to exclude (or include) hidden numbers.

This could be especially useful where a single layout is used for presenting accounts each month and empty rows are hidden.  If the row is not empty the following month but is still hidden, a SUM formula would still add the number which could allow a balance sheet to balance at the bottom but the total to not equal the sum of the (shown) figures above it.  SUBTOTAL(109,range) gets round this problem or would allow a logical check to test this issue.

Speed reading book review

A short book so a quick read (even for a slow reader).  Key points are:

• Consciously use different speeds of reading for different tasks: proof reading is slow, reading for understanding is medium, skimming to find the important bits, for an overview or to remind can be fast.
• Do not 'verbalise' each word, even in your head.  Read chunks not words so that your eyes bounce say twice on each row.
• Decide why you are reading the piece first so that your objectives are clear.  Bearing in mind your objectives, read the intro, chapter heads and conclusion first to check the rest warrants reading and if appropriate, just read the parts that achieve your aims.

How to Speed Read: Faster Reading, Improved Comprehension and Becoming a Better Reader: A Very Easy Guide (30 Minute Read)

How to use google to search a single website

I am sure this will be a really handy tool on occasions.

Person Action Object (PAO) memory system

This page gives a good explanation and some ideas for creating a PAO system.  Obviously a fair amount of work is required to create one's own PAO and of course to learn it before it can be used.

Project Management novel

Rocks Into Gold by Clark Ching is a similar idea to the excellent series of books by Goldratt where you read a fun fictional story and follow a character learning about something useful.  Goldratt's books are about the Theory of Contraints, this book by Ching is saving a company from collapse by restructuring a project in order that parts can be delivered earlier improving cash flow.  You don't have to be an accountant to appreciate it.  There is certainly a gap in the market for more books using this technique of combining fiction with learning.

Agile Project Management - brief book review

Agile Project Management For Busy Managers by Tony Riches

A succinct readable book introducing Agile Project Management.  In a nutshell, seems to say don't spend ages specing everything out in minute detail because things will change.  Identify easy wins and deliver minimum first followed by more.  This seems to tie in with the 'minimum viable product' ideas from lean manufacture.

Memory book - brief review

Moonwalking with Einstein, the art of remembering everything by Joshua Foer.

An enjoyable and educational read.  Written by a young journalist learning about memory techniques who was told 'anyone can learn this' - so he tried.  He agreed to practice for an hour a day in exchange for tips from an expert thinking about making a business out of teaching the techniques.  Within a year, the journalist won the US Memory Championship.

Interestingly, he still forgets where he left his car and still writes phone numbers down but can remember many things and names when he chooses.  Concentration and actively storing the data seems to be key.  a good overview and basic introduction to some of the techniques.