In a world of do-it-yourselfers, you can learn to do something new (or at least get started) on your own. But as my most recent DIY home projects have shown, we typically need to bring in an expert to help us complete the projects to our satisfaction.
It’s the same when learning something for your business. If you are like me, you are happy to research and learn on your own. But to get to the next level, you typically need to bring in a pro.
Using Asana is one of those places where you may want to begin learning it on your own. This article will show you the best places to begin that process and plenty of help to get you started.
Perhaps you want help making the most of the information you are learning. Or you want to skip the link clicks and videos for a live human to help with your specific needs. Hiring an Asana consultant may be the option for you.
DIY Learning in Asana – 3 key places to go
Asana Academy is a one-stop-shop for learning everything you need to know to work well in Asana. You will find courses from 10-90 minutes long, live and on-demand webinars to equip you further. You can even grab short and sweet video tutorials on specific topics you may need help with.
One of my favorite sections of the Academy is the use cases that they have there. Many people new to using Asana have a specific way they are planning to use the platform. Once they see how others are using Asana successfully, the possibilities become clear that Asana can do so much more than they originally thought. The use case section of the Academy opens new doors and gives you options.
The final section of the Academy gives you the opportunity to apply to become an Asana Ambassador. Ambassadors become a resource for your team to continue to use Asana well. Every team will need someone they can turn to when they have questions. Perhaps this will help you feel ready to take on that role.
The Asana Guide contains many articles to walk you through anything from Asana’s basic information to detailed written help with specific Asana uses. It is a vast knowledge base and is best used as a reference than as a step-by-step course.
The Asana Forum is a community space. It brings together Asana users, Asana partners, and Asana employees to answer questions and provide solutions to common problems. If you have a specific question about Asana, you can almost always find someone that has asked the same question.
Is a certain feature not available in Asana? There is likely a workaround that others have found and are using while it is being added to the product roadmap in Asana. And speaking of a product roadmap, Asana gives you the opportunity to “upvote” any product requests that may already be in the Forum. It’s a great way to give your feedback to the Asana team and let your voice be heard.
Consulting with a pro
If time is of the essence and you don’t want to go through courses to learn Asana, perhaps you need to hire an Asana consultant for 1:1 assistance. Asana Services Partners are independent consultants trained to help individuals and teams make the most of their Asana platform.
You will simply choose a partner that you feel will be able to meet your specific needs. You will contract with them for the services you would like to receive. Asana partners have received specific training and are experts in implementing Asana. Many of them can provide more than consulting services, including training sessions for your team members.
Training for your team
After consulting with an Asana Services Partner, you may find that more extensive training for your team is the next logical step. Many leaders launching Asana with their teams prefer an outside expert to teach best practices for using the platform. Start with an Asana Basics training which will ensure that everyone on the team is using Asana in a similar way. Set those expectations from the beginning and you will see the highest success rates.
Once the team has the Asana Basics down, a second training may be essential in helping the team use more of the in-depth features of Asana. Depending on your team’s needs and your Asana tier (Premium or Business), training that incorporates the advanced features of Asana is a great idea and multiplies your productivity as a team.
No matter the route you decide to take, whether going with a DIY rollout or choosing to hire an Asana consultant and trainer right away, learning Asana is worth the time, effort, and investment you put forth. Managing work has never been easier than it is right now. Take the time to learn the basics and you will see your productivity and profitability soar!
If you are unsure of exactly what you need, get in touch with us at Tessera. We will walk you through your options and get you started on the right foot with suggestions for self-training. Or you can begin with a single consulting session or a group of consulting and training sessions.
Additional Resources
Asana Services Partner profile
About the Author
Paula Holsberry is the founder of Tessera Virtual Business Solutions, specializing in optimizing work processes for remote teams. With experience in both start-ups and larger companies, she helps teams maximize productivity through efficient Asana training and consulting.
