Teams and Copilot Adoption

Introduction

This article discusses the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and its integration with Teams. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a powerful tool that allows users to chat with their data, summarize Word documents, develop complex formulas in Excel, create presentations from documents, and analyze meetings for minutes and actions. It is now available to organizations of any size, including Microsoft Enterprise, CSP, Microsoft 365 Business, and Business Premium customers. Microsoft has also lifted the requirement for only Microsoft 365 licenses, allowing users with Office 365 licenses to access Copilot for Microsoft 365 as well.

The New Era of AI in Microsoft 365

Eleven months ago, Microsoft showcased its vision for integrating AI into Microsoft 365 after its investment into OpenAI. By linking ChatGPT and Copilot with Microsoft 365, users now have the ability to chat with office products and analyze and summarize their work, leading to improved productivity. This new era of AI in Microsoft 365 holds great potential for all users.

Recently, Microsoft Research released the Microsoft New Future of Work Report 2023 (NFW Report), which focuses on the use of AI and large language models (LLMs) in the workplace. This report provides valuable insights into how we should implement AI and Copilot for Microsoft 365 in our organizations.

Training and Adoption are Key!

When it comes to adopting Copilot for Microsoft 365, it is crucial to prioritize user adoption and provide training. Simply introducing new features to users without helping them understand the benefits and potential applications can lead to a negative perception of AI. Negative news coverage highlighting the risks of using AI further complicates the adoption process. To encourage adoption, it is important to share positive use cases and success stories with colleagues, demonstrating the positive impact Copilot can have on work and productivity. Positive experiences and endorsements from teams using Copilot can go a long way in promoting its adoption.

We must not overlook the resources and features available in Copilot Labs. Copilot Labs is integrated across all areas of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and provides training and support for users. It offers example prompts and helps users build confidence in using Copilot in the workplace. The NFW Report emphasizes the need to train employees on how to build prompts and turn single prompts into conversations with their data. Studies conducted by Microsoft Research have shown that users who use Copilot complete tasks 26% to 73% faster than those without it.

The sooner we implement Copilot for Microsoft 365 and utilize Copilot Labs for training and adoption, the better the outcomes and return on investment will be.

Chatting to Our Data and Using Copilot Studio

A significant feature of Copilot for Microsoft 365 is the ability to communicate with our data. This includes the data that individual end users have access to within Microsoft 365, such as Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint. The NFW Report highlights the challenge of finding information in fragmented knowledge-based solutions like Microsoft 365. The ability to search and access content across Microsoft 365 using Copilot can greatly enhance workforce decision-making. Microsoft research has shown that users can make decisions up to two times faster when using large language models like Copilot to find the information they need.

Conversations with our data extend beyond Copilot for Microsoft 365 and the Microsoft Graph. They can also be extended with Microsoft Copilot Studio. For example, if you want to gather information about a specific customer, Copilot Studio can not only look at your data within Microsoft 365 but also analyze data from your CRM solution, content in other cloud hyper scalers, and any other data source you point it to.

Meetings are Better with Copilot

One of the main features of Copilot used by early adopters is Copilot for Teams. Users have found that the ability to understand more from a meeting makes them less draining, with 58% of users reporting such benefits. With the right prompts, Copilot can also aid in creativity and breaking down tasks for post-meeting actions. The NFW Report demonstrates that by asking Copilot to help break down an agreed task or action, the primary goal of the meeting can be achieved with a higher success rate.

Copilot in Teams not only helps analyze meetings but also allows users to seek different perspectives. For example, users can prompt Copilot to provide insights on how the meeting landed with the customer, suggest questions for a follow-up email, or generate a list of the top five creative ideas discussed during the call.

Conclusion

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a game-changing tool that enhances productivity and decision-making within organizations. By adopting Copilot and utilizing Copilot Labs for training and adoption, organizations can empower their users to chat with their data, analyze meetings, and make better-informed decisions. The integration of Copilot with Teams further enhances its capabilities and provides users with valuable insights and prompts. To make the most of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Copilot Labs, it is essential to prioritize training and adoption, demonstrating a positive stance towards AI and fostering a culture of innovation. With Copilot, organizations can unlock the full potential of their data and empower their teams to achieve greater outcomes.