Kohler, a well-known leader in kitchen and bath fixtures, has used Microsoft 365 to improve their productivity and bring employees together, just like many small businesses are attempting to do.
Microsoft 365 helped Kohler provide personalized training to its employees through podcasts, Q&A sessions, microlearning videos, and expert insights, which made their team comfortable with Microsoft 365’s apps.
But there’s more to it – Microsoft 365 helped bridge cultures, languages, and time zones. Teams connected professionals worldwide, while SharePoint made sharing files and communicating with customers seamless. The new apps also boosted security and device management, creating an agile and productive environment that matched Kohler’s values.
The best part? Microsoft 365 isn’t just for big companies like Kohler. Any business, especially small-to-mid-sized businesses, can tap into its hidden gems to boost productivity.
In the following article, we’ll reveal these hidden tools and show how they can transform your workflow, as well. Whether you’re a startup or an already established company, Microsoft 365 can take your productivity to the next level.
The Tools
Tool #1 – Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate is your key to automating workflows across multiple applications. It quickly connects with instant messaging and email alerts, enabling you to synchronize files from various apps or transfer them between platforms.
For instance, you can set it up to create leads in Dynamics 365 when someone fills out a SharePoint form. The beauty of Power Automate is that it’s not limited to Microsoft Services; it can extract data from Facebook or upload files to Dropbox. This versatility translates to improved productivity through seamless connections.
Tool #2 – Teams
Teams serves as your internal central hub for meetings, collaboration, and communication. This cloud-based platform integrates notes, files, conferences, and multiple apps in real time, transforming collaboration and productivity.
Teams seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 apps and boasts a secure global cloud infrastructure. Real-time communication allows all team members to share screens, see edits in PowerPoint presentations, or add apps to your Teams environment that add even more custom functionality.
The (group) chats make it easy to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, or share feedback. Forget about waiting for email responses for a whole day!
Furthermore, Teams supports cross-platform collaboration, making it accessible on phones, tablets, and computers.
Tool #3 – To-Do
Microsoft To-Do is your helpful task management tool, simplifying your day’s planning and organization.
The robust tool allows you to create lists for virtually anything, from home projects to work tasks and grocery shopping. Managing reminders is simple – for example, you have the ability to add notes, due dates, and personalized themes. These lists are accessible on various devices, including Android phones, iPhones, and Windows 10 devices.
Tool #4 – Viva
Microsoft Viva is an employee experience platform that enhances learning, well-being, and collaboration in the workplace. It comprises four modules: Viva Engage, Viva Connections, Viva Insights, and Viva Learning.
- Viva Engage: the employee experience platform that helps people connect, focus, and learn at work.
- Viva Connections: A SharePoint app within Teams for sharing curated news and articles.
- Viva Insights: Provides insights into work patterns that may cause stress and burnout, enabling managers to promote well-being.
- Viva Learning: A learning hub in Teams that facilitates sharing learning content and training resources across your organization.
Tool #5 – Delve
Delve is a dynamic visualization tool that blends social media elements and social learning, drawing content from Exchange, SharePoint, Yammer, and OneDrive. It goes beyond data aggregation, detecting relevant information like user activity and past interactions to help discover information that is most interesting to employees.
Tool #6 – Sway
Sway is the next-generation presentation app that redefines the way we create presentations, potentially even replacing the ubiquitous PowerPoint. It boasts an integrated design engine that effortlessly crafts visually stunning presentations and reports.
Among its impressive features are the ability to drag and drop images, charts, videos, and canvas-based formats. Sway goes beyond traditional presentations; it can also generate newsletters and stories that adapt seamlessly to various devices.
Tool #7 – Planner
Microsoft Planner modernizes your task management processes, offering intuitive organization tools and four crucial functions: information hub, insights, communication, and flexible categorizations.
Planner empowers team members to collaborate effectively by sharing files, creating plans, assigning and tracking tasks, and engaging in conversations while staying updated on progress, proving essential in project management.
Reenergize Your Business Environment with Protek-IT
Improving your business is all about fostering a dynamic and efficient workplace. Microsoft 365 is your key to achieving this, offering a rich array of communication and collaboration tools that can make a world of difference.
Whether your team operates remotely or in the office, Microsoft 365 can revolutionize project management — the success story of Kohler is a shining testament to this.
But there is a catch: Having an underwhelming IT provider can hamper your Microsoft 365 integration. If you’re not getting the results you deserve, it’s time to contact us at Protek-IT and let us support you as your trusted IT partner.
Give us a call, and let’s have a quick chat. Together, we’ll devise the perfect solution to tackle your business’s IT challenges, saving you from unnecessary stress and ensuring your Microsoft 365 experience is seamless and productive.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
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