Is your organisation tinkering with Copilot while your competitors are thriving with it? Given Microsoft 365 Copilot price point per user, many executives are searching to quickly get an ROI on their investment. In this Blog we discuss practical ways to help you drive productivity and quality.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of business technology, it's all too common for organisations to adopt new tools without fully harnessing their potential. Many businesses find themselves caught in a cycle of downloading software or tools, experimenting briefly, and moving on, often utilising only 30-40% of the available functionality. This pattern is particularly relevant when considering Microsoft 365 Copilot, a powerful AI tool that promises to revolutionise productivity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and often as an easy-to-adopt entry point in the AI journey.
At Digital Human Assistants, we recognise that the key to unlocking the full potential of AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot lies not just in the technology itself, but in a holistic approach that we call the Strategic Implementation Trifecta: People, Process, and Technology. This unique perspective sets us apart in helping Australian SMEs truly capitalise on their AI investments.
The Potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot offers significant opportunities to enhance productivity and quality while saving valuable time on repetitive tasks. Deeply integrated into Office applications, Copilot maintains data privacy while assisting with various functions, from drafting emails to creating presentations.
However, to truly capitalise on this investment, organisations need to execute the implementation of Copilot properly.
If you're not seeing the expected returns, it may be time to reconsider your approach, focusing on our Strategic Implementation Trifecta.
1. People: Empowering Your Team
The most advanced AI tool is only as effective as the people using it. To maximise Copilot's potential:
Invest in comprehensive training programs. New features are released regularly so stay up to date by reviewing the Microsoft 365 roadmap and holding regular sessions.
Identify power users to champion the technology within your organisation
Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation .
Focus on sharing one 'hack' a week across your teams that can help reduce the time to do common tasks.
2. Process: Optimising Workflows
Implementing Copilot without re-evaluating existing processes is a missed opportunity. To truly benefit:
Take an iterative, controlled rollout approach
Conduct a thorough audit of current processes
Redesign workflows to seamlessly incorporate Copilot's capabilities
Establish clear guidelines, policies, and procedures for use across the organisation
For governance, make sure you have a Data Strategy in place, and work through the security and privacy considerations Note: Copilot for Microsoft 365 inherits your organisations existing data and security permissions. This means that if files are not properly protected with passwords or permissions, they could be potentially accessed by unauthroised users. Ensuring that sensitive information (such as board reports, finance reports or HR data) is adequately secured is essential to prevent data breaches and maintain confidentiality.
3. Technology: Effective Integration
While powerful on its own, Copilot's true potential is realised when effectively integrated with your existing technology stack:
Ensure your Microsoft 365 environment is up-to-date and properly configured
Consider how Copilot can interact with other tools and platforms
Regularly review and update your technology strategy
Ensure you have the resources to support the rollout
Make the best use of Microsoft resources such as Copilot Learning Hub
Copilot's Practical Applications
Copilot offers numerous benefits across the Microsoft 365 suite.
Here are some ways it can enhance your daily operations:
Outlook
Summarise lengthy email threads, helping you quickly grasp key points
Identify and prioritise the most important emails in your inbox
Generate contextual replies in your preferred tone and length
Assist with email management on mobile devices
Word
Summarise lengthy documents, saving time on review processes
Refine documents by enriching them with graphics and improved formatting
Generate new documents based on content from various sources, including other apps like PowerPoint
Enhance the overall quality and consistency of written communications
Excel
Answer questions about datasets using natural language queries
Identify and visualise correlations and trends within complex data
Generate data visualisations and charts to aid in decision-making
Streamline data analysis processes, making insights more accessible to non-technical users
PowerPoint
Condense lengthy presentations while maintaining key information
Refine presentations by improving text formatting, layout, and imagery
Generate entire presentations based on text input or existing documents
Transform text documents into visually appealing presentations, complete with speaker notes and sources
Teams
Recap meetings into concise, actionable summaries
Create meeting agendas based on team history and previous discussions
Identify responsible parties for follow-up tasks
Enhance collaboration by providing AI-assisted insights during meetings
Conclusion
Microsoft 365 Copilot represents a significant advancement in AI-assisted productivity for Australian SMEs. To truly reap the benefits, businesses must look beyond initial implementation and focus on the holistic integration of People, Process, and Technology – the Strategic Implementation Trifecta that forms the core of Digital Human Assistants' approach.
By taking this strategic approach to Copilot adoption, considering your organisation's unique needs, and continuously evaluating its impact, you can ensure this powerful AI tool becomes a true asset, driving innovation and long-term productivity.
Take the Next Steps
At Digital Human Assistants, we specialise in helping Australian SMEs optimise their use of AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot. Our team can provide tailored strategies for deployment and optimisation, ensuring you maximise your return on investment through our unique Strategic Implementation Trifecta approach. We also have a deep understanding of the Microsoft ecosystem and are experts in being able to integrate/connect products and services (often I see CIOs who are frustrated with functionality when there is a simple integration approach that can unlock value).
Ready to unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 Copilot for your business? Book an appointment with Digital Human Assistants today for expert guidance and support in your AI journey. Let us help you transform Copilot from a promising tool into a powerful driver of your business success.
Author: Christopher Foster-McBride, CEO, Digital Human Assistants, and member of Adelaide Microsoft 365 Copilot User Group
Our mission is to use AI and IA to support those who support others.
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