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Unlocking Your Hidden Gadgets: Microsoft Tools You Have and Should Be Using

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of new tools and technologies being introduced every day? We hear this often from our clients that they just want to get the most out of the tools they already have—without adding something new to the mix. That's why Ethan Farlow (COO) shares this guide to help you unlock the hidden power of Microsoft tools that you likely already have access to. Read (or watch) the highlights of this session from CONNECT 2024.

Watch the Full Session Here: https://youtu.be/2xUoVdN4aPI

Ethan covers six underutilized tools within the Office 365 suite that can significantly boost your productivity and streamline your workday:

  1. Microsoft OneNote
  2. Microsoft Teams
  3. Microsoft Stream
  4. Microsoft OneDrive
  5. Microsoft Bookings
  6. Microsoft Forms

Read on to learn how each of these tools can help you simplify your tasks, reduce manual work, and maximize your Office 365 investment.

1. OneNote: Your Digital Notebook

Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook—perfect for organizing tasks, projects, and meeting notes. Think of it as the online version of a spiral-bound notebook, with the added benefit of syncing across all your devices.

Ethan starts each day by opening OneNote and planning out his weekly and daily goals.

Watch the section about OneNote here.

2. Collaborate Effectively with Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams serves as a collaboration hub, enabling chat, calling, and sharing files—all within one platform. Use Teams daily to coordinate projects, set up meetings, and stay connected with remote team members.

One of Ethan's favorite features is the scheduling assistant, which finds available times for everyone without the back-and-forth emails. Teams also makes it easy to record meetings and save them for future reference or to share with those who couldn't attend.

Watch the section about Teams here.

3. Record and Share with Microsoft Stream

Microsoft Stream is an internal video-sharing service that acts like an organization's private YouTube channel. Use Stream to store and share recorded meetings, training sessions, and more. Stream also provides automatic transcriptions and captions, making it easy to search for specific topics within a video.

Watch the section about Stream here.

4. Manage Files Seamlessly with Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud-based file storage solution, providing quick and easy access to your documents across multiple devices. With OneDrive, sync files across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, ensuring you're always working with the most up-to-date information.

The tool integrates seamlessly with your file explorer, making it feel like a natural extension of your desktop. Need to share a document with a colleague or client? Simply right-click, select Share, and choose their permission level. It's perfect for teams working on shared projects or for storing important company documents that need to be accessed from various locations.

Watch the section about OneDrive here.

5. Simplify Scheduling with Microsoft Bookings

Tired of the constant back-and-forth to schedule meetings? Microsoft Bookings takes the hassle out of scheduling by allowing clients, customers, or team members to book time with a direct link. Set up available times on your calendar and share a link—letting others pick a slot that works for them.

Use Bookings for setting up client consultations or internal meetings. It also allows custom availability, buffer times between meetings, and even automatic reminders.

Watch the section about Bookings here.

6. Gather Feedback with Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is an easy-to-use tool for creating surveys, polls, and quizzes. Whether needed to collect feedback from clients, gauge employee engagement, or quiz your team on new procedures, Forms makes it simple.

Ethan often uses Forms to gather feedback after events, assess employee satisfaction, and even run quick polls during meetings. The tool's built-in analytics make it easy to track responses and see results in real time. It's perfect for streamlining data collection and getting meaningful insights quickly.

Watch the section about Forms here.

Putting It All Together

Microsoft Office 365 includes a suite of powerful tools that are often underutilized. By leveraging OneNote, Teams, Stream, OneDrive, Bookings, and Forms, transform the work day and get more done in less time.

The best part? These tools are already accessible. Start by choosing one or two that you're not using right now and incorporate them into your workflow. Small changes can lead to big improvements, helping you unlock the full potential of your Microsoft Office 365 investment.

For more information about these tools, feel free to reach out -https://comtechnc.com/contact-us. Stay tuned for more CONNECT 2024 sessions to be released!

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