📞 01223 214177 ✉️ karen@roem.co.uk
📞 01223 214177 ✉️ karen@roem.co.uk
Jan 2025: Free webinar on 22 January, hosted by EA How To
Oct 2024: Set your alarm for Roem @ noon
Jul 2024: A warm welcome to the "Bee in the Spotlight" YouTube series
Jun 2024: Bee in the Spotlight: Meet Karen Roem!
Feb 2024: Following popular demand ...
Jan 2024: Roem and Valued Learning team up to offer Time Management training
Dec 2023: Feedback helps Karen give back to Children of Nepal
Nov 2023: Karen is hosting 3 Microsoft Power Hour sessions for EA How To in November and December
Oct 2023: Fireside Chat with Karen Roem, hosted by EA How To (26 October 6PM UK Time)
Jun 2023: Karen's webinars recommended by the Admin Wrap
May 2023: Karen invited to be guest speaker at the PA/EA day at the Møller Institute
Feb 2023: The Admin Wrap
Jan 2023: Karen in Executive Support Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of 2022
Jan 2023: Microsoft Power Hour for Executive Assistants around the globe
News 2013 - 2022
News archive 2004 - 2012
Two years ago, Karen had the opportunity to lead a training session for EA How To, designed specifically for Executive Assistants. With an incredible 804 attendees, the event was such a success that Karen has been invited back again!
Let’s make this year even bigger and better!
Free registration here.
Jan 2025
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As from November the Hints and Tips power hours move from Thursdays at Three to Mondays at 12.
People that could never attend Thursdays because of work or private commitments set your alarm ... Roem @ noon. We've also split the Word and Outlook webinar into two separate sessions with new content.
Bookings for November and December are open! For any questions or to book, contact Karen.
Word Hints and Tips: 11 November, 12 - 13 GMT - updated content
Sign up for these Lunch and learn sessions and let Karen share the hidden gems.
It may be a cliché, but you don't know what you don't know!
Oct 2024
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As announced in June, Sue Honey of Honey’s IT launched the first episode of her YouTube series, "Bee in the Spotlight" Season 2! Watch the interview with Karen now.
As Sue's special guest, Karen shares her incredible journey and offers valuable tips on mastering email management. Karen's insights are perfect for anyone looking to enhance their email management skills and boost productivity.
Click here to find out more about Sue and Karen's upcoming "Time Management tips using Microsoft Outlook" webinar on July 19th from 14:00 - 15:00 (UK Time).
July 2024
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Karen will be interviewed by Sue Honey of Honey’s IT for the first episode in Sue's brand new YouTube series, "Bee in the Spotlight", Season 2.
Karen will share her journey, insights, and practical tips on mastering email management to boost your productivity.
Interview Release Date: Friday, 28th June
Training Session Date: Friday, 19th July at 2:00 PM
See Sue's post on LinkedIn more details.
June 2024
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Following popular demand EA How to has asked Karen to rerun four webinars, catering for two different time zones:
All webinars will be presented live, with no pre-recorded content. A recording of the Teams session will be made available to all attendees along with a cribsheet and exercise files, so you can practise what you've learned at your own pace in their own time.
February 2024
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Roem Limited has teamed up with "Valued Learning" to deliver Time Management training at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge on 18 April.
Whereas "Valued Learning" will tackle the 'time eaters' that are wasting your productivity, Karen will share her tried and tested Microsoft Outlook tips to help you save time.
Click here to find out more about the topics covered.
For any questions or to book, contact conferences@corpus.cam.ac.uk.
January 2024
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On the tenth anniversary of a trip to train teachers in Nepal, Microsoft Office expert Karen Roem says she is continuing to support children living in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Karen contributes £3 to Children of Nepal - a British-based charity providing opportunities for education to more children in Nepal - every time one of her course participants completes a feedback form. “As well as supporting the charity financially, which I continue to do, it was a privilege to visit Nepal to offer practical help,” says Karen.
December 2023
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Karen Roem has a reputation as one of the best Microsoft Trainers around. These interactive sessions will allow you to learn from Karen and ask questions. You'll walk away with knowledge you can implement immediately.
Executive Assistant How To is the most valuable network of assistants around the globe. Born from a belief in the power of assistants coming together, EA How To is a fabulous and unique blend of professional development, support and networking.
November 2023
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Karen will be sharing her business journey, starting out as a PA and transitioning into a business owner - in Alicia's words "... providing some of the best Microsoft Office training out there".
Register here.
EA How To hosts a range of free and affordable learning and development events for assistants. EA How To Plus members get access to replays of events, as well as exclusive templates, a copy of The Assistant's Business Binder (A-Z Template) and an invitation to their small group coaching sessions.
October 2023
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"Every week I come across loads of amazing training courses that are offered to Executive Assistants and Office Managers. It's a minefield! Which ones should we book ourselves onto?
"So I've taken the best of the best and created a Recommended Training page over on the website. This will be updated regularly with the latest courses offered by only the best trainers.
"We will be adding more courses and dates over the coming weeks and months so make sure you bookmark the page and keep checking back. There are also some amazing offers just for The Admin Wrap community."
Click here for the full list of training partners, handpickeded by the Admin Wrap. Get in touch and quote AdminWrap to get a 10% discount on Karen's upcoming webinars.
June 2023
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This day will celebrate the role of the PA and EA and offers a rare chance for them to take time out for themselves to meet peers and learn new skills.
Karen's session will be followed by lunch and showrounds. Click here for the event agenda.
May 2023
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Karen Roem was featured in The Admin Wrap, a weekly newsletter packed with news, events and training.
"If there's one course or learning session that you need to get booked on in the next few weeks, it HAS to be one of Karen Roem's Hints and Tips webinars. Her sessions are drawing in literally HUNDREDs of people, so these sessions really are worth a little investment. Covering all of your MS Office needs (from Outlook to Excel) head over to our LinkedIn page for a full list of what's available. Book quick as they fill up!!" it read.
Want to get all of the news and events relevant to the assistant world in one place? Go and subscribe to The Admin Wrap. The Admin Wrap pops into your inbox every Friday to share a rundown of news, articles, resources and events - all relevant to assistants and administrative professionals.
February 2023Back to top
One of the articles Karen wrote for Executive Support Magazine made it in the top 10 most-read articles of the year. To download "Eight Ways to Customize Outlook" and all other articles click here.
Want to see some Outlook Hints and Tips in action? Book the 1-hour webinar and learn how to
You don't know what you don't know!
January 2023Back to top
On 19 January Karen Roem will host the first EA How To webinar for 2023.
Executive Assistant How To is the most valuable network of assistants around the globe. Born from a belief in the power of assistants coming together, EA How To is a fabulous and unique blend of professional development, support and networking.
Do you sometimes feel there must be an easier way to use Microsoft Office, but you don't have the time to look into it? Are you not as productive as you'd like to be?
This session is for you ... tips you can implement right away!
Free registration here.
January 2023Back to top
Founded in 2001 Karen Roem converted her business from Sole Trader to Limited Company on 29 October 2004.
Since then the company has gone from strength to strength and has established itself as a highly respected software training company, offering hands-on courses for groups and individuals as well as 60-minute Microsoft Office webinars.
We'd like to thank our clients for the opportunity to work on some amazing projects, our associates for bringing their talent to our business and our all-important course participants who selected us to help make the most of their software packages. We wouldn't be having a birthday today if it wasn't for you.
November 2022Back to top
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge works together with Roem Limited to offer software training courses at discounted prices.
The half day courses on Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint are held in October and November and are only 95 pounds. Students get an additional 10% discount.
The IT training brochure and booking forms can be downloaded from here.
Corpus Christi College was founded in 1352. The College provides a stimulating academic and residential environment, both on the site of its original foundation in the heart of the city, and amidst one of the finest private gardens in Cambridge at Leckhampton.
October 2022Back to top
Unity Campus is an exciting new urban innovation district in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside. Campus owners Howard Group, a Cambridge-based family business with a 50-year track record as a long-term property investor and developer, is transforming the site of a former tannery into a stunning modern workplace.
Unity Campus shared their top tip takeway from the session on LinkedIn.September 2022
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Karen's latest article for Executive Support Media has just been published: 8 ways to customise Outlook
Check out what settings she recommends changing in Outlook - and why. Make it suit your way of working!
You can read all the articles Karen wrote for Executive Support magazine here.
Executive Support was started by Lucy Brazier in 2011; the Executive Support Magazine has a training, nurturing and mentoring ethos and carries no advertising, ensuring that subscribers get value from every one of the magazine's 48 pages.
June 2022Back to top
Software training expert Karen Roem - who has been sharing valuable hints, tricks and shortcuts to help users
make the most of Microsoft Office for many years - published her 700th tip on 5 May.
Karen, self-styled Microsoft Office-ionado, says: "Most people use only a fraction of their software's capabilities and tend to stick to just the things they know. But there is so much more!"
Karen, who heads her own Cambridge-based training and support company, Roem Limited, started publishing weekly computer tips in 2003, almost two decades ago. And she has since accumulated a fantastic library of knowledge covering all aspects of computer applications - helping you to navigate and optimise Excel, use nifty shortcuts on your keyboard rather than your mouse in Word, and improve and jazz up potentially boring PowerPoint presentations. Further tips in the now 700-strong arsenal help you to maximise the capabilities of Outlook, Windows and Microsoft Teams.
"I know through my training sessions that people absolutely love to find new ways to save time or effort," adds Karen, who sends weekly tips to online subscribers and until recently also published regularly on the Cambridge Network website.
"I never expected to reach the grand total of 700 but I know there are many more to come - every week I still discover new possibilities; sometimes through my own work, but often through my course delegates, who offer their own ideas.
"My enthusiasm for making technology work well for people has never waned and I look forward to continuing to help people make the most of their software."
You can see the latest tip and a 'shortcut of the week' at www.roem.co.uk
The full archive can be found on roem.co.uk/hints.php
If you would like to get your own copy of the weekly tip, email subscribe@roem.co.uk
You can also follow Karen through CleverClogsTipTime on LinkedIn.
May 2022
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Take FIVE is your weekly reading recommendations roundup from Executive Support Media - five articles every week to inspire and educate!
The 19th February issue of Take 5 includes Karen's latest article, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, about using mnemonics to help you remember tips, shortcuts and formulas across Microsoft Office.
Click here to read all five articles.
February 2022
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Do you use mnemonics to help you remember something?
Find out about Karen's favourite ones in her latest article for Executive Support Magazine, the essential training resource for the world's administrative professionals.
January 2022
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Karen has been invited to join the Executive Support Speaker Bureau.
The Speaker Bureau is part of Executive Support Media, home of the Executive Support Magazine, Executive Support Training, Executive Support Events and much more! The focus of the Speaker Bureau is on providing speakers for the administrative profession, around the world.
Karen's profile is now live on the Speaker Bureau site.
Karen also shares her tips through the Executive Support Magazine. The digital version of her article for the December/January issue is now available online.
December 2021
NOTE: The Cambridge Network featured this news on their website on 2 December.
It can be found
here.
In April 2021 Karen Roem was approached by Michael Large about his Hills Road Sixth Form Extended Project assessment and asked to take part in a survey.
Michael's
Sketching Cambridge
is now available on the Museum of Cambridge's website.
Michael writes "Cambridge is too often seen as nothing but a university city. The town outside the gown is packed full of rich historical, global and personal colour, which I have always wanted to share as a native of the city. Buildings tell the most fascinating stories from our shared histories, so I have chosen 25 buildings and neighbourhoods from across the city to tell the story of Cambridge, my home."
Karen is mentioned by Michael in his acknowledgements, but she would like to thank him for his beautiful illustration of and text about the sun house.
November 2021Back to top
Karen is proud to have been invited to run two 90-minute virtual workshops about the new and improved Microsoft Office features at the 4th ECB Assistant conference on 10 and 11 November.
Are you an assistant from the European Central Banks and institutions and want to know more about this event? See LinkedIn for details including the spectacular line up, moderated by Lucy Brazier OBE, founder of the world's leading global publication & conferences for Administrative Professionals - Executive Support Magazine & Executive Support LIVE.
October 2021
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I'm delighted to share the first-ever article I wrote through Executive Support Magazine, the essential training resource for the world's administrative professionals.
For those of you in the Administrative Profession who don't know about Executive Support, check it out. Their success is not just down to their products, but to their core belief that we are here to serve each and every assistant, to ensure that you meet your full potential.
If you enjoy what you read and are interested in subscribing to Executive Support Magazine you can get you a 30% discount when you mention Karen's article. Email subscriptions@executivesupportmedia.com for more info.
October 2021
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The price of our 60-minute webinars will go up to £49 on 1 October 2021.
Book and pay before the end of September to secure your place for £24 only.
Click here for our webinar schedule.
Feedback from participants
"I consider myself quite IT-savvy, but I still pick up a lot of good tips from Karen's courses!"
"Karen is amazing and fast (no wasting time which I love) as always :)"
September 2021
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Do you sometimes feel there must be an easier way to use Microsoft Office, but you don't have the time to look into it? Are you not as productive as you'd like to be? These 15-minute sessions are for you... tips you can implement right away! As the saying goes: work smarter, not harder.
Good training doesn't have to be long or torturous to be effective, which is why Karen Roem - in association with the Science Park - offers 15-minute sessions - bitesize portions, that fit into your busy schedule and are easy to digest.
Registration is now open for Cambridge Science Park tenants to attend one or all of Karen's sessions:
8 September 10:00 - 10:15
22 September 10:00 - 10:15
6 October 10:00 - 10:15
20 October 10:00 - 10:15
3 November 10:00 - 10:15
17 November 10:00 - 10:15
PS Feedback from participants who attended the first session on 8 September
"Thank you Karen, it's very useful. Love this new format."
"The 15 minutes works really well. "
"15-minutes is perfect."
"Brill Karen"
"Great 15 min session today with Karen, super helpful. Will definitely sign up for more sessions."
July 2021
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Our standard opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (British Summer Time), but we are flexible and training and support sessions can be (and frequently are) arranged outside office hours - at no extra cost.
June 2021
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Registration is now open for Cambridge Science Park tenants to attend Karen's next Excel webinar.
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If you are interested in the topic but don't work at the Science Park or cannot make the dates, contact Karen on 01223 214177 or email her.
May 2021
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The Cambridge Science Park was established by Trinity College in 1970 and ever since it has played a pivotal role in the "Cambridge Phenomenon" - the transformation of Cambridge from a market town with a world-class university to one of the leading technology hotspots in the world.
With eight events under her belt and introduced by the organisers as "one of the Park's favourite presenters" Karen will share her knowledge to help you become more efficient at work.
Registration is now open for Cambridge Science Park tenants:
14 April 10:45 - 11:45 : 7 reasons to use Styles in Word
22 April 10:45 - 11:45 : What's new in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
If you are interested in the topics but don't work at the Science Park or cannot make the dates, contact us on 01223 214177 or email Karen.
April 2021
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Microsoft Outlook has a number of underutilised tools, which means you may not be using it to its full potential. Join Karen Roem, founder of Roem Ltd, for this 90-minute webinar on the morning of 11 May and let her guide you through the more hidden features so that you can improve your efficiency and increase productivity.
Registration is also open for non-members.
March 2021
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Following the success of the webinars Karen Roem, founder of Roem Ltd, developed a separate webinar for Windows users. "Windows 10 has a wealth of nifty, new features which means you might not be using your computer to its full potential." she says. "Although you probably know there must be easier ways to use your PC, you simply don't have the time or energy to sift through and find the hints and tips yourself."
Sign up for this 60-minute webinar and let Karen guide you through the more hidden features.
March 2021
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26 January: 10:00 - 11:30 Hint and Tips: Excel
4 February: 10:00 - 12:00 Hints and Tips: Document and Email Management
11 February: 10:00 - 11:30 Hint and Tips: Excel Further Use
January 2021
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Back in May, as the pandemic put an end to face-to-face training and the Network took all its activities online, I was asked to share some of my top tips for Microsoft Office with Cambridge Network's PA Forum peer group and a wider audience of Network members.
The resulting hour-long Zoom session, in which I demonstrated some of my favourite ways to save time and effort - via fewer mouse clicks, or by using keyboard shortcuts that mean you don't need the mouse at all - was so well received that it has led me to create a whole new series of training courses.
My '60-minute webinars for a wealth of quick wins' have now been requested by several Cambridge Network members. And consequently, I've delivered webinars to staff in local organisations, as well as to many individuals who have appreciated the opportunity to enhance their skills or tackle specific software issues.
I'm now offering a session that covers all the basics (60 Minutes of Microsoft Office Hints and Tips), as well as hour-long training on the individual Microsoft packages - Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
The webinar also led to work with Cambridge Network's Learning Collaboration and I have developed several new virtual courses. Two are for Excel and another focuses on Document and Email Management. The first will begin later this month. These are distinct from my usual sessions because they are longer (90 minutes or two hours) and include access to a month's free support on any of the topics learned.
I hope to resume face-to-face training as soon as it becomes feasible. But in the meantime, the benefits of online courses are clear - you save time and money because there's no need to travel, and (time zones permitting) participation is possible from anywhere on the planet.
Tame your computer with top tips
It may be a cliché, but you don't know what you don't know!
Most people only use a fraction of the capabilities of their desktop software packages. I've made it my mission to expand their knowledge and help them find new ways to tackle time-consuming and frustrating day-to-day tasks.
Since I started my company 20 years ago, I've been writing and publishing them on my website. And since 2005, I've been producing a regular column for Cambridge Network - Tame your computer - with each edition featuring a top tip.
My website includes a complete list of all the tips I've produced to date - more than 600. I'm still enthusiastic about helping people to make the most of their software and intend to continue. And I am still adding to the list, creating new tips either through my own training work or through ideas and suggestions from my course participants.
Jan 2021
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Roem Limited has teamed up with the Cambridge Network to deliver high quality training on behalf of its members.
Cambridge Network organises, purchases and shares training and development experiences. They arrange learning opportunities all around Cambridge and the UK, as well as in overseas offices.
To find out more about upcoming events see Cambridge Network events.
December 2020Back to top
Following the success of the four 60-minute webinars she developed two additional sessions, helping you to broaden your knowledge of Excel and Word and to benefit from its overlooked and underused features:
You can book your place online. If you are looking for a webinar for a group of people or prefer to attend the webinar on your own, please get in touch.
And remember, as we respect the fact that people make special arrangements in their personal and professional lives for attending a session, we never cancel classes due to insufficient enrolments. Once payment is received, the webinar is guaranteed to run.
October 2020Back to top
Registration is now open for Cambridge Science Park tenants:
If you don't work at the Science Park or cannot make the dates, contact us on 01223 214177 or email Karen. September 2020
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Registration is now open for Cambridge Science Park tenants:
If you don't work at the Science Park or cannot make the dates, contact us on 01223 214177 or email Karen. July 2020
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Apart from saving yourself lots of time by learning some simple keyboard shortcuts it can also reduce the risk of poor posture and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) while we continue to work remotely.
June 2020
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When the time is right, we look forward to welcoming you back at the sun house.
March 2020
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March 2020
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Come along on 17 April and discover hidden tools that can help you save time and streamline your workday.
February 2020
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Check out our upcoming sessions:
And remember, as we respect the fact that people make special arrangements in their personal and professional lives for attending a course, we never cancel classes due to insufficient enrolments. Once payment is received, the course is guaranteed to run. You can book your place online or email karen@roem.co.uk or call us on 01223 214177.
January 2020
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Access to our premises by car will only be available via the Long Road/Hills Road/Queen Edith's Way traffic lights by travelling:
Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained throughout the work.
The roundabout works are due to last for approximately 29 weeks. The estimated completion date is early April 2020.
September 2019
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Karen will be followed by the inspirational Jo Jones, Executive Personal Assistant at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and former PA of the year.
June 2019
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And remember, as we respect the fact that people make special arrangements in their personal and professional lives for attending a course, we never cancel classes due to insufficient enrolments. Once payment is received, the course is guaranteed to run. You can book your place online or email karen@roem.co.uk or call us on 01223 214177. Quote TEAM to get your discount.
Not to be used in conjunction with any of our other offers.
March 2019
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February 2019
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When I set up my own business in 2001 I did that out of a passion for teaching and my love for working with people - a career that offers more
than a payslip! I'm still passionate about sharing the best of what I know with you and will continue to focus on designing and delivering training in non-traditional ways.
Here's to the next 18 years!
1 January 2019
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November 2018
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All the PAs who work with the Møller Institute are invited to a PA Training Day on Friday 11 May, when Karen will share some of her top time-saving tips using MS Office. In a special one-hour session, Karen, writer of the popular Tip of the week series, will share her favourite computer tips.
Karen said: "Even if they believe they have mastered MS Office, I guarantee the participants will go away with new tricks, tips and shortcuts that they never would have found on their own."
March 2018
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And remember, as we respect the fact that people make special arrangements in their personal and professional lives for attending a course, we never cancel classes due to insufficient enrolments. Once payment is received, the course is guaranteed to run. You can book your place online or email karen@roem.co.uk or call us on 01223 214177. Quote XMAS to get your discount.
November 2017
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Roem was featured on the Cambridge Network website on 25 November 2016. The article is reproduced below:
Your boss needs that PowerPoint presentation for tomorrow morning but you don't remember how to animate the slides the way she wants them. Time is short and nerves are fraying...
All too often, it seems, training alone isn't enough. Cambridge-based Roem Ltd recognises the importance of follow-up and support - and that is what differentiates it from many other training providers.
The company's principal, Karen Roem, explains: "A great amount of learning is required outside and following formal training. This is why I offer a month's free support on any topics learned, ensuring staff have the support they need when they need it - that is, at the time they want to apply what they've learned in an effective and productive way on the job.
"I believe support isn't something that's offered as a matter of course by many other training companies, so what often happens is that colleagues help one another. The result is that, unconsciously and with the best will in the world, incompetent people help others become the same."
The course fee for all Roem's 'off the shelf' training includes a free handout with exercise files and one month's post-course advice on the topics covered. So, when a course participant is back in the office and has to tackle an unfamiliar task, that individual will be able to retrieve what they've learned and integrate it into their existing work - or ask for help if necessary.
Karen - author of Cambridge Network's popular Tame your computer series - adds: "For almost 16 years now I've advertised my firm as offering software training and support. My logo and its components (a fishhook and bubbles) have all evolved from Confucius' quote: 'Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.'"
Specialising in Microsoft Office and Opentext Content Server training, Karen and her team offer hands-on and hands-off computer courses, either in-house at companies' own offices or at Roem's premises in Cambridge. And with increasing pressure on businesses to maximise resources and optimise training, she has three top tips:
Nov 2016
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She has been a guest on Radio Cambridgeshire before and has now been invited back to the Jeremy Sallis Show, where she can be heard dispensing her usual blend of useful advice on Monday 17 October at 12.30pm.
Karen founded Roem Ltd in 2001, aiming to bring innovation and imagination into an area that is often perceived as dry. "It's a fact that email traffic is increasing and people are often overwhelmed by it. I can offer some strategies to tackle it and help users discover some of the features of their software they might not be aware of," she says. "My ambition has always been to help people find ways to optimise use of their software."
Roem Ltd is a highly respected independent provider of one-to-one and group training courses, working with diverse organisations and businesses across East Anglia, London and the Home Counties. The company has also competed successfully against larger training organisations, bidding against specialists in Germany, France and the UK to roll out significant long-term training programmes for major European institutions.
As Karen explains "over the past 15 years we have been in high demand as an independent Microsoft and OpenText Content Server (Livelink) training provider, successfully developing and delivering on-site training in 23 countries across five continents."
Although much of her work is for clients abroad, Karen is happy to deliver local training in her own premises. "I run regular workshops for Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Word - and I enjoy being able to do that here at The Sun House in Cambridge," she adds.
Oct 2016
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With the end of the free upgrade promotion approaching (29 July), Karen is fulfilling her promise to report back after looking at the changes.
Karen - author of Cambridge Network's popular Tame your computer series - says: "I don't want to pass the buck, but it's your decision.
"Windows 10 has improved a lot since its launch and most hiccups have been ironed out.
"But Microsoft will continue to support Windows 7 until January 2020, so you can stick with it until then. And while you wait, Windows 10 might even get better."
July 2016
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In a brief 30 minute session, Karen will share ten simple, clever tips to tame your computer. Even if you believe you have mastered Windows or Microsoft Office you will go away with new tricks, tips and shortcuts that you never would have found on your own.
Karen will be followed by Michael Yardley, IT and systems manager at Cambridge Enterprise Ltd, University of Cambridge, who will be looking at some of the simplest ways you can protect yourself digitally, both in business and at home.
Find out more and book your place here.
June 2016
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'Knowing there are an awful lot of people out there who feel online banking isn't safe or do not know how to protect themselves against email scams, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to try and help them tame their computers live on air.' Karen commented.
Karen made her radio debut on the Sue Dougan Show back in 2006.
January 2016
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Karen Roem founded Roem Ltd in 2001, aiming to bring innovation and imagination into an area that is often perceived as dry. Karen now employs a number of fellow trainers but her ethos - to deliver a comprehensive, personal service that enthuses and inspires people to learn - remains. "If you use a desktop software package like Microsoft Office, chances are you are not using all of its features." she says. "My ambition has always been to help people find ways to optimise use of their software."
Karen issues a weekly bulletin of handy hints and tips to subscribers worldwide and she also publishes them in a regular column - Tame your computer - on the Cambridge Network website.
Over the past 15 years Roem Ltd has grown into a highly respected independent provider of one-to-one and group training courses, working with diverse organisations and businesses across East Anglia, London and the Home Counties. The company has also competed successfully against larger training organisations, bidding against specialists in Germany, France and the UK to roll out significant long-term training programmes for major European institutions.
As Karen explains "It makes me extremely proud to see what we have achieved. Over the past 15 years and throughout the financial crisis we have been in high demand as an independent Microsoft and OpenText Content Server (Livelink) training provider, successfully developing and delivering on-site training in 23 countries across five continents."
Although much of her work is for clients abroad, Karen is happy to deliver local training in her own premises. "I still run regular courses for Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Word - and I enjoy being able to do that here at The Sun House in Cambridge." she adds.
Karen still feels passionate about the training she provides and does not want to step back from the day to day delivery. Everyone - from Karen and her fellow trainers to the participants on the training courses run by Roem - has fun. And you can't ask for more than that!
January 2016
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And remember, as we respect the fact that people make special arrangements in their personal and professional lives for attending a course, we never cancel classes due to insufficient enrolments. Once payment is received, the course is guaranteed to run. You can book your place online or email karen@roem.co.uk or call us on 01223 214177. Quote XMAS to get your discount.
December 2015
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But she realises you can't expect to work an eight (or more!) hour day, five days a week, and run a successful business. Time off is important to unwind and recharge your batteries, and Karen appreciates the chance to enjoy nature and wildlife wherever she is. Now she wants to take it a step further and also support the Wildlife Trust through her organisation, helping to save nature and wildlife sites close to home. Escape isn't just a button on her keyboard!
October 2015
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Software training expert Karen Roem sounds a note of caution as Microsoft Windows 10 is being offered to Windows users free of charge.
Karen, who is founder and CEO of training organisation Roem Ltd. - and who regularly contributes her popular Tame your computer column to Cambridge Network - says: "Over the years I have run a lot of Microsoft Windows training sessions and recently quite a few people have asked me whether or not to upgrade to Windows 10.
"As you may be aware, Windows 10 was launched on 29 July 2015 and is offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. Apparently more than 75 million PCs were upgraded to Windows 10 in the first month alone!
"But if you upgrade immediately you are a guinea pig, so perhaps you might want to wait some time for any teething problems to be sorted out. You have a full year to decide whether or not to upgrade for free.
"I'm investigating whether or not it is worth upgrading to Windows 10. I'll report back when I've looked into the changes and know more.
September 2015
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This week marks ten years since training expert Karen Roem started helping Cambridge Network members by offering time-saving tricks, hints and shortcuts
through her Tame your computer column on this site.
A decade on, and Karen - who heads her own training and support company, Roem Limited - is as passionate as ever about contributing valuable help to users of Microsoft Office applications. She says: "I actually started writing tips as far back as 2003 and sending them free every week to email subscribers, but my column on Cambridge Network didn't begin until January 18th, 2005.
"At that time I had no idea it would continue for so long or prove so popular. We have regular feedback from readers who say that they always keep the tips, or even post them on their office noticeboards!
"So many people only know and use a fraction of the capabilities of their software packages, so I've made it my mission to expand their knowledge and help them find new ways to save time and effort - via fewer mouse clicks, or by using keyboard shortcuts that mean you don't need the mouse at all.
"My website includes a complete list of all the tips I've produced to date - more than 400. I'm still enthusiastic about helping people to make the most of their software and intend to continue. So I am still adding to the list, collecting new tips either through my own training work or through ideas and suggestions from my course participants."
To mark the anniversary, Cambridge Network today repeats the very first 'Tame your computer' tip - which, it seems, is as relevant today as it was ten years ago. Read it here.
You can see Karen's latest tip and a 'shortcut of the week' at www.roem.co.uk.
The full archive of tips can be found on http://roem.co.uk/hints.php.
January 2015
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January 2015
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CAPTCHA (an acronym for "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart") is a test to find out whether or not the data submitted on a form is coming from a human and not an automated bot or script. By adding CAPTCHA Roem ensures that automated bookings are difficult - but not impossible.
In order not to annoy genuine customers, we have - for the moment - opted for a user-friendly readable test, rather than the often frustrating and time-consuming odd-looking verification methods. If you experience any difficulties with the booking form or the CAPTCHA, please get in touch.
April 2014
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In a special one-hour session Karen, writer of the popular Tip of the week series, will share her favourite computer tips. Karen said: "Even if they believe they have mastered MS Office, I guarantee they will go away with new tricks, tips and shortcuts that they never would have found on their own."
February 2014
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Children living in Nepal - one of the poorest countries in the world - are benefiting from the IT expertise of a Cambridge company.
Cambridge-based training expert Karen Roem, whose company Roem Ltd provides high-level training in Microsoft Office and Livelink applications, has just returned from a voluntary 'working holiday' in Nepal, where she spent a week training a dozen teachers, representing several different schools in the Nawalparasi District.
The visit came about because Karen has for 10 years been raising money for Children of Nepal, a small British charitable organisation that has the aim of extending and improving educational opportunities for children living in that country. In 2012 Karen saw in a newsletter from the charity that one of the schools had been kitted out with computers, and she volunteered to help. "The head teacher seemed keen on software training for the teachers (the 'train the trainer' approach) and said he was going to try and get a few teachers from different schools together to benefit from my skills and experience. However, it took many months for the plan to be realised.
"I made the trip at the end of last month with my husband Erik and it was an amazing experience, as we'd never been to Nepal before. It is a fascinating country, and the people have an unrivalled kindness. We were warmly welcomed and the teachers were genuinely pleased to have the chance to learn about Microsoft Access. The only difficulty we had was with the electricity supply - for half of each day, there was none, which rather curtailed the hands-on computer training at one of the schools that had no backup generator!"
Karen has received a heartfelt letter from the Principal of Shree Kalika Higher Secondary School, saying it was a pleasure to benefit from the "precious contribution" made by an expert computer database trainer. "We heartily appreciate and thank you for your kind support in our school. We hope that this is the landmark beginning which is sure to create milestones in the days to come."
Roem Ltd will continue to support Children of Nepal, which receives £3.00 for every completed evaluation form received following a training session. Karen says: "Raising funds for the charity is one way I can ensure that delegates' feedback makes a real difference; not just to refine the quality of the training offered at Roem, but to improve the lives of some of the children I met."
January 2014
Children of Nepal is a small British charitable organisation that has the aim of extending and improving educational opportunities for children living in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. Since 2004 Karen's business, Roem Limited, has donated £3.00 to the charity for every completed evaluation form received following a training session.
Karen says: "Raising funds for the charity is one way I can ensure that delegates' feedback makes a real difference - not just to refine the quality of the training offered at Roem Limited, but to improve the lives of children abroad. Sue and Nara Pandey, Trustees of Children of Nepal, usually produce a newsletter following each visit to Nepal to update all their supporters with the latest news of projects and activities. Back in January 2012 I spotted that one of the schools had been kitted out with computers and I offered my help. The headteacher seemed keen on software training for the teachers (the 'train the trainer' approach) and said he was going to try and get a few teachers from different schools together to benefit from my skills and experience. Almost two years later (and just a few weeks to go until the trip), I have received the names of 14 teachers, representing eight different schools in the Nawalparasi District, widening the impact of the training."
Karen, who is funding her own travel and expenses, added: "I have never visited Nepal in the past, and I am very excited at the prospect of meeting some of the people my efforts have helped over the years. This is a challenge for me, but I'm looking forward to being able to demonstrate my commitment in a pragmatic way. It is such a worthwhile cause."
October 2013
July 2013
"I specialise in Microsoft Office applications," explains Karen, who heads her own training and support company, Roem Limited. "And I know through my training sessions that people absolutely love to find new ways to save time or effort - through fewer mouse clicks, or by using keyboard shortcuts that mean you don't need the mouse at all.
"I was teaching people about some of these hints and tips, and collecting others as I carried out training, so thought it would be a good idea to share them more widely. In 2003 I started a free subscription service to weekly computer tips and found that a number of business publications and websites were also interested in publishing them (including the Cambridge Network where Karen writes a regular 'Tame your computer' column).
"To date I have 394 tips on my website and every week I discover more; sometimes through my own work, but often through my course delegates, who offer their own ideas. My enthusiasm for making technology work well for people has never waned and I look forward to continuing to help people make the most of their software."
You can see the latest tip and a 'shortcut of the week' at www.roem.co.uk
The full archive can be found on http://roem.co.uk/hints.php.
If you would like to start the week with your own copy of the weekly tip, please send a blank email to subscribe@roem.co.uk.
May 2013
We have now launched a new 'shortcut of the week' feature on our website, in an effort to help you work faster (and healthier). Keyboard shortcuts may sometimes be unintuitive or hard to remember, but we will drip feed a new shortcut weekly, to help you to boost productivity without reaching for your mouse. If you are unsure about any of the shortcuts, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Find the shortcut on this web page - and come back every week to learn a new one.
March 2013
January 2013
November 2012
Nov 2022: Roem Limited celebrates a milestone birthday as it turned 18
Oct 2022: Corpus Christi and Roem team up to offer affordable software training
Sep 2022: Unity Campus welcomes back Karen Roem for MS Excel Lunch and Learn session
Jun 2022: Hot off the press: 8 ways to customise Outlook (Executive Support Magazine article)
May 2022: Clever Clogs tips - 700 and counting
Feb 2022: Take FIVE: top shortcut keys to optimise your day!
Jan 2022: Executive Support Magazine: February/March Issue - Karen's article now available online
Dec 2021: Karen joins Executive Support Speaker Bureau
Nov 2021: Roem's registered office captured in "Sketching Cambridge" by Michael Large
Oct 2021: Calling all assistant staff from the European Central Banks and public institutions
Oct 2021: Hot off the press! Executive Support Magazine
Sep 2021: Don't miss out!
Jul 2021: Cambridge Science Park offers 15-minute Hints and Tips sessions
Jun 2021: We are now open on Saturdays
May 2021: Ten Excel Functions everyone should know (and those you shouldn't)
Apr 2021: Karen invited back to run two new webinars for the Cambridge Science Park
Mar 2021: Mastering Microsoft Oulook: in association with Cambridge Network
Mar 2021: New webinar announced - 60-minute Windows Hints and Tips
Jan 2021: Registration now open for Cambridge Network courses
Jan 2021: An unexpected outcome
Dec 2020: Karen joins Cambridge Network's team of trusted trainers
Oct 2020: Word to the Wise - Excel with Excel
Sep 2020: Registration now open for Further Use webinars
Sep 2020: To include or not to include? VAT in stated prices
Jul 2020: Registration now open for additional 60-minute webinars
Jun 2020: Karen shares top tips with Cambridge Science Park
May 2020: Free webinar - How did you do that? (Thu 21 May 9:30-10:30)
Apr 2020: COVID-19 closure extended until 7 May
Mar 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) closure
Mar 2020: Traffic diversions to Queen Edith's Way - UPDATE
Feb 2020: New Microsoft Word course announced
Jan 2020: Half day course prices rolled back to 2001 levels
Sep 2019: Traffic diversions to Queen Edith's Way: 9 September onwards
Jun 2019: Karen invited back as guest speaker at the Møller Institute
Mar 2019: Roem to offer team discounts
Feb 2019: New half day Microsoft Excel course announced
Jan 2019: Happy birthday to us!
Nov 2018: Manage your boss' busy calendar at the Møller Institute
Mar 2018: Karen shares top tips with PAs at the Møller Institute
Nov 2017: Now is the time for training
Nov 2016: Don't panic! Post-training support makes all the difference
Oct 2016: Learn how to tackle email overload
Jul 2016: Windows 10 free upgrade offer ends 29 July
Jun 2016: Tame your computer at networking breakfast
Jan 2016: Karen riding the radio waves
Jan 2016: Roem celebrates 15 years of making learning fun
Dec 2015: Now is the time for training
Oct 2015: Roem supports local wildlife initiatives
Sep 2015: Is it time to upgrade to Windows 10?
Jan 2015: Are you making the most of your software?
Jan 2015: New course announced
Apr 2014: Bot or not
Feb 2014: Karen invited to be guest speaker at Møller Institute event
Jan 2014: IT training for teachers benefits children in Nepal
Oct 2013: Karen travels to Nepal to train schoolteachers
Jul 2013: Roem and Cambridge Network team up to offer training at a reduced rate
May 2013: Ten years of top tips to help you 'tame your computer'
Mar 2013: In a hurry? Take a shortcut!
Jan 2013: New year. New look. (Same commitment!)
Nov 2012: Archived for posterity
News archive 2004 - 2012
For press information contact us on 01223 214177 or email us
Use Quick Steps to automatically clear categories when moving emails (Microsoft Outlook)
