Learn Real-World Impact: Microsoft Copilot in Action - Operations Director

The adoption of AI is happening now, and this can be tricky for companies as technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that employees often find themselves struggling to keep up with the latest innovations and tools. However, we strongly believe that embracing these technologies and equipping your workforce with Microsoft Copilot will help you stay ahead of the game and assist your daily M365 tasks.

Join us as part of this series, Real-World Impact: Microsoft Copilot in Action, as we dive into how Millgate’s own workforce are using M365 Copilot day-to-day to improve efficiency across our business – starting with our Operations Director, Stacey Clarke.

Can you describe how you first started using Microsoft 365 Co-pilot in your daily operations?

Initially, I found that the easiest and most intuitive way to start using Co-pilot was by leveraging it to provide alternative suggestions for wording in my emails, communications, and documents. As Operations Director, I am continuously writing highly important notices & documentation and this has eradicated any errors and made my communication much more clearer.

What specific tasks or processes have been most impacted by Co-pilot?

My Email and Teams have been significantly impacted in a positive way. Copilot alerts me to outstanding emails with actions at the start of my day, helps with written communication, summarises long emails, and assists with prioritising my workload. In Teams, notetaking and transcribing in meetings have been fantastic, allowing me to be fully present without missing crucial notes or actions. In general, it has reduced the amount of time I spend doing administration and catching up on emails.

How has Co-pilot improved your productivity and efficiency?

Absolutely, summarising documents and emails is a great example. Copilot’s integration within Outlook is also extremely helpful, we’ve all received lengthy email chains and Copilot will bullet point and summarise these for you in seconds. From a training perspective, we can quickly turn a Policy or Document into a PowerPoint training presentation using Copilot within seconds meaning I can get on with helping our team deliver the best service to our customers quicker.

Can you provide an example of a project or task where Co-pilot made a significant difference? 

Our team recently updated our quality-controlled documentation, which is often time-consuming. Copilot made this process more efficient, for instance, the summarisation feature helped us quickly grasp the key points of lengthy documents, saving valuable time. Additionally, the FAQ tool automatically generated frequently asked questions from the content, making it easier for us to address common queries without manually combing through the documents. These tools not only helped us enhance productivity but also ensure that our documentation is accurate and comprehensive.

How has Co-pilot helped in managing your team and their tasks?

Even with a busy schedule, I find that Copilot really helps me keep my team in sync, track tasks, and ensure accountability. It makes collaborating so much easier. With features like real-time messaging and task assignments, staying connected with my team is seamless. Plus, the notifications and reminders are a lifesaver, keeping everyone on top of their responsibilities. The intuitive dashboard lets me easily monitor progress and deadlines, so our projects get done efficiently and accurately.

Have you encountered any challenges while using Co-pilot? If so, how did you overcome them?

Using new tools can be tough, especially with Microsoft’s rapid changes. I’ve dealt with these challenges myself and know how overwhelming it can be to keep up with all the updates and features. At Millgate, we set up a ‘best practice’ sharing group where team members can share their latest tips and tricks. This has not only boosted our productivity and efficiency but also created a sense of teamwork and community. Personally, having a space to swap ideas helps me stay on top of tech advancements and use them in my work. Whether it’s learning a new shortcut or finding cool ways to streamline processes, being part of this group has been super helpful.

How has Co-pilot influenced your decision-making process? 

Copilot helps me quickly analyse complex data and create presentable outputs, saving time for other important tasks. I’ve found it incredibly useful in my day-to-day work, allowing me to focus on strategic decisions rather than getting bogged down in data processing. Not only does it speed these tasks up for me, but it also enhances the quality of my presentations by ensuring that the information is clear and well-organised.

What advice would you give to other Operations Directors considering using Co-pilot?

Operations Directors juggle a ton of stuff at once. Making things run smoother by simplifying routine tasks, automating mundane work, and whipping up reports and documents that would normally take ages is key. We’re always looking to make our processes better, and Copilot really helps out with that. I’d totally recommend Copilot for anyone in this role.

Want to find out more about the implementation and costs of adopting M365 Copilot? get in touch with us here

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