In the world of business productivity, there’s an abundance of tools vying for your attention. But if you’re already an Office 365 user, you might be sitting on a goldmine of untapped potential. Before you go searching for the next shiny app, take a closer look at what’s right under your nose.
Office 365 is often overlooked but it has incredibly powerful features that are often already included in your subscription. By adopting these in your business you’ll also be saving yourself a tidy sum on unnecessary extras!
Office 365: A Game-Changer for Businesses
Office 365 has been a game-changer for countless organisations, and one remarkable success story comes from Kohler, a long-established North American kitchen and bath fixtures manufacturer. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kohler faced the challenge of adapting to remote work while staying true to their values.
Enter Office 365
This suite of tools became their lifeline, facilitating quick and personalised training for their employees. Over time, they used various Office 365 tools to bridge cultural gaps, transcend language barriers, and conquer different time zones.
• Microsoft Teams mobilised their sales professionals worldwide to share insights into global markets.
• SharePoint facilitated the seamless movement of over 400 terabytes of data, supercharging customer communication and support.
• Security and device deployment enhancements created a culture of agility and productivity.
Yes, we know they’re a global company, but Office 365 isn’t just for enterprises like Kohler; it’s a productivity powerhouse for businesses of all sizes. Even the smallest companies can easily adopt these same practices and deliver exponential benefits.
Unearthing the Hidden Treasures
The reality is that many Office 365 tools remain underused and underappreciated. In this article, we’re going to shed light on some of the top Office 365 tools that can help you revolutionise your business.
1. Power Automate (previously branded as Microsoft Flow)
Power Automate is your ticket to automating workflows across various applications. Whether it’s sending instant message alerts, synchronising files, or copying data from one platform to another, Power Automate has you covered. It doesn’t stop at Microsoft services; you can extract data from a myriad of external platforms such as Facebook, or upload files to the likes of Dropbox to foster productivity through seamless connections.
2. Microsoft Teams
Teams is your one-stop hub for meetings, file sharing, and real-time chat. It’s a cloud-based platform that brings notes, files, conferences, and apps together in perfect harmony. Teams integrates effortlessly with Office 365 apps, and its secure global cloud helps your team collaborate effectively from anywhere.
Real-time communication is a breeze, enabling everyone to work together on PowerPoint presentations and provide instant feedback via the chat window. Plus, Teams supports cross-platform collaboration, allowing you to work seamlessly on your phone, tablet, or computer.
3. Microsoft To-Do
To-Do is your smart task management platform, simplifying daily planning and organization. Its robust algorithm helps you create lists for everything, from work projects to grocery shopping. Reminders, notes, and due dates are easy to add, and you can personalise them with colourful themes. Accessible on various devices, To-Do keeps you organised on the go. Plus, it automatically integrates with calendars and Task lists in Microsoft Outlook to transform productivity.
4. MyAnalytics
MyAnalytics tackles productivity head-on by analysing how and with whom you spend your time. It suggests ways to work smarter by reducing after-hours tasks and idle meeting time. The tool offers weekly digests, insightful dashboards, and inline suggestions within Outlook to enhance your productivity, all while safeguarding your privacy.
5. Microsoft Viva
Viva is an employee experience platform designed to enhance learning, well-being, and collaboration in the workplace. With modules like Viva Topics, Connections, Insights, and Learning, it empowers businesses to organise knowledge, share news, optimise employee well-being, and facilitate learning.
6. Office Delve
Office Delve is like a supercharged search engine within Microsoft 365. It’s not just about search; it’s a discovery tool using AI and machine learning to find and display relevant information from across Microsoft 365. It taps into data from SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Yammer, and more.
Unlike SharePoint, Delve is personalised, focusing on individual users. It offers a customised homepage with recent documents, colleague discovery, and a profile page. Content is presented through “content cards” displaying document details.
Key features include advanced search, personalised homepage, content cards, viewing content related to you, boards for organising and sharing documents, and My Analytics, providing insights into focus, well-being, network, and collaboration.
Delve promotes collaboration through individualised spaces, allowing users to curate, share, and work with colleagues seamlessly.
7. Microsoft Sway
Sway is the future of presentations, boasting an integrated design engine to create visually stunning presentations and reports. Its user-friendly features include drag-and-drop functionality for images, charts, videos, and canvas-based formats.
8. Microsoft Planner
Planner is a must for global teams juggling multiple projects. It offers visual organisation tools and key functions like information hub, insights, communication, and flexible categorisation. Team members can collaborate, assign tasks, share files, and track progress with ease. It works in parallel with Microsoft To-Do.
Elevate Your Business's Productivity
Enhancing your business’s productivity means creating an agile and efficient workplace. Office 365’s suite of communication and collaboration tools can make this a reality, whether your team operates remotely or in the office. Kohler’s transformation is a testament to the power of these tools.
However, working with the right IT provider is crucial for a seamless Office 365 integration. If you’re feeling stuck or unsatisfied with your current provider, reach out to us. We can help find the perfect IT solution for your business, eliminating stress and boosting productivity
Embrace the power of Office 365, and watch your business thrive.
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