Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, is a powerhouse suite of tools that many businesses and individuals use every day. However, its full potential is often underutilized. If you want to get the most out of your M365 subscription, follow these 7 tips to work smarter, not harder.
1. Leverage M365’s Built-in Collaboration Tools
M365’s greatest strength is its ability to facilitate real-time collaboration. From Word to Teams, Microsoft has designed every app with the idea of teamwork in mind.
- Use OneDrive for Business to ensure everyone is working on the same document version.
- In Microsoft Teams, set up shared channels for specific projects or departments.
- Collaboration doesn’t stop at documents; use Planner or Microsoft Lists to manage tasks and work more effectively as a team.
2. Automate Your Workflows with Power Automate
M365 introduced Power Automate as a way to streamline tasks and keep work moving smoothly.
- Identify repetitive tasks and use Power Automate to create automated workflows.
- Explore hundreds of built-in connectors to integrate your workflows across different apps and services.
- Don’t be afraid to start small; simple email notifications or form approvals can save hours of work.
3. Keep Your Data Secure with Sensitivity Labels
M365’s advanced security features are often overlooked. Sensitivity labels can help protect your organization’s data.
- Categorize your data with Sensitivity Labels to control who can access and share your sensitive information.
- Utilize the different levels of data protection, from encrypt-only protection to Do Not Forward policies.
- Train your employees on how to use sensitivity labels correctly to ensure consistent security practices.
4. Stay Organized with Project Cortex
Project Cortex is M365’s knowledge network, which uses AI to create a connected data landscape for your organization.
- Use Topic Cards in Microsoft apps to gain insights and suggested experts on various subjects.
- Encourage community knowledge sharing by using SharePoint Syntex to capture and organize content.
- Continuously refine your knowledge center by encouraging feedback and updates from users.
5. Enhance Communication with Viva Connections
Communication is the lifeblood of any organization. Viva Connections brings your organization’s news, relevant conversations, and tools into a single experience.
- Customize your Viva Connections dashboard to facilitate easy internal communication and access to resources.
- Use the announcements feature to keep all employees informed about important updates.
- Ensure your Viva Connections layout is intuitive and that information is updated regularly to keep it as a go-to resource.
6. Achieve Company-Wide Meetings Effortlessly with Live Events
When hosting large company meetings or webinars, Live Events in Teams is your go-to feature to ensure smooth, professional presentations.
- Learn how to produce different types of Live Events, from a small group training session to a large-scale broadcast.
- Test and adjust your settings beforehand to make sure the event runs smoothly.
- Use features like audience polls and moderated Q&A to keep attendees engaged and involved.
7. Never Miss a Deadline with To-Do and Planner
Organization and time management are crucial elements of successful work. To-Do and Planner are M365’s tools for keeping you on track.
- Microsoft To-Do helps you capture, categorize, and prioritize tasks on the go.
- With Planner, you can break tasks into chunks, assign them to different team members, and track progress.
- Sync To-Do and Planner with your Outlook calendar and other M365 apps for an integrated productivity experience.
Implementing these tips will not only enhance your productivity but also provide you with a deeper understanding of how to make M365 work for you. Whether you’re a seasoned user or a new subscriber, there’s always more to learn about the extensive features and capabilities M365 has to offer.