Harnessing the Full Potential of Microsoft 365: Dive Deeper for Optimal Utilization

As widely used as Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint may be, there is so much more to the Microsoft suite that can transform businesses by improving communication and efficiency. Teams is just one example of a powerful tool hiding in plain sight among the basic resources. Uncovering the hidden wonders within Microsoft 365 can unleash the full potential of the program and enable leaders to implement more effective Microsoft 365 business strategies.

Challenges Companies Face With Microsoft 365 That Prevent Them From Diving Deeper

Many companies don't take advantage of all the features of Microsoft 365 because of the challenges associated with any full-scale product implementation.

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is excluding end users or business representatives from having a say in the deployment, provision, and governance of Microsoft 365. It is critically important to strike a balance between making the platform self-service while under IT's control. Finding this balance requires involving all stakeholders and recognizing their input as valuable.

Without a doubt, digital workplaces present companies with the unique opportunity to make their business operations more efficient and productive, but issues around governance can arise. However, these obstacles can be overcome with the right know-how and experience from experts in Microsoft 365 technology.

It is highly recommended to involve a partner with expertise in configuring solutions within the Microsoft stack. Their experience ensures scalability, reliability, and the use of accurate data throughout the organization, enabling companies to achieve the most out of their Microsoft tools. With a knowledgeable and collaborative partner—such as CTG—the advantages of Microsoft 365 far outweigh the challenges. It's a good thing, too, because the consequences of missing out on all the Microsoft 365 features and benefits can be significant.

What Are Organizations Missing Out On?

Though most companies have been utilizing Microsoft's productivity products for years, they don't dive deeper to see how else the platform can improve business practices and workflows. Companies frequently stop at the superficial level when adopting Microsoft 365. In most cases, the focus is on ensuring the security of information and data, selecting the appropriate licensing agreements with Microsoft, and subscribing to the relevant products.

Many organizations are unaware of and underutilize some of the newer products, such as the Power Platform offerings and SharePoint, and may hesitate to employ them to drive a digital-first culture transformation. One of the most critical things that companies are missing out on when implementing Microsoft 365 is the full potential of its collaboration tools. Consistent information sources and communication channels are crucial within organizations. Access to secure and appropriate information should be easy for users, which is often overlooked by larger companies with multiple systems in place.

Switching applications, signing in multiple times, and navigating various sources can hinder productivity. Additionally, organizations should be aware of their performance and utilize indicators and tools to promote transparency and make timely adjustments. Microsoft Teams is more popular than ever thanks to widespread hybrid and remote working styles, but even it has untapped capabilities. Of course, it can be used as a chat platform and for video and audio conferencing, but it can also be leveraged for document sharing, editing, and project management. By encouraging employees to use Teams instead of relying solely on email or in-person meetings, companies could see an increase in productivity and efficiency.

Many businesses are unaware of the numerous resources available within the Microsoft 365 stack, including automation. Microsoft 365 makes it easy to streamline manual tasks such as formatting numbers, dates, and times a certain way with Power Automate. Additionally, there is significant potential for leveraging the solution space, building small applications, deploying effective dashboards, automating business intelligence, and implementing forms and workflows. These unexplored areas of Microsoft 365 offer a wide range of untapped potential for businesses to benefit.

CTG is truly committed to aligning the many Microsoft 365 features and benefits with the needs of clients in order to accelerate digital transformation and make the platform simple to use. Recognizing how to use Microsoft 365 effectively can ensure that companies have the best tools available to improve collaboration, communication, and productivity. Contact us today to level up your Microsoft 365 business strategy.

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