Approximately 63% of high-growth companies use a “productivity anywhere” hybrid work approach. To pull this off effectively requires the right cloud tools that allow collaboration and access from anywhere on any device.
One of the most popular business app suites that facilitate word processing, cloud storage, spreadsheets, presentations, team meetings and so much more is Microsoft 365.
This is the leading platform of its type, and it continually gets enhanced to promote the “work from anywhere” makeup of today’s hybrid office environments.
One issue we find is that companies sign up for Microsoft 365, but only utilize a fraction of its features. Tools like OneNote, Microsoft Forms, and Lists are left untouched when they could be saving companies time and money.
Another tool that is often underutilized is Microsoft Teams. This is something like Slack, Zoom, and Cloud storage all combined into one. Teams functions as an online work hub where everyone can connect, and departments can have secure file sharing that is accessible only to those that need access.
If you want to get all you can from Microsoft 365, then it’s important to keep up with new features being brought to the platform. Below are several that you should be seeing in 2022.
New RSVP Options in Outlook for On-site/Remote
Coming in the 2nd quarter of 2022 is a new RSVP option in Outlook to address the current hybrid work situation. People will now be able to note on their meeting acceptance whether they will be attending in person or remotely.
This will be a handy addition for meeting organizers so they can ensure they have the right meeting resources and setup prepared ahead of time.
Expanded Features in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams keeps gaining more exciting features every year. One of the newest features that is designed to facilitate virtual meetings and save companies money is the ability to do webinar registrations (a feature that’s been lacking in many video meeting apps).
Some of the other enhancements include:
- More security from insider attacks with smart links and smart attachments
- New presenter modes to give a more professional virtual presentation
- The new Microsoft Mesh for MS Teams app brings meetings into the “metaverse.”
These forward-looking enhancements make Microsoft Teams one of the best online communication tools to use if you want to keep up with the changes happening in the virtual world.
Improved Subject Framing During Video Conferences
When meeting virtually, people can feel less connected than in person. To help reduce that feeling, Microsoft Teams is adding better subject framing when people are meeting both virtually and in person.
When you have several people sitting around a conference table and individuals at home at varying distances from their cameras, it can get tricky seeing who is speaking and engaging as you would in person.
A new Surface Hub 2S Smart Camera by Microsoft will allow for better face-framing. It will give those meeting a more consistent framing, meaning their faces will take up more of the screen than their background. The camera will also automatically adjust as people join or leave a room.
Recording Studio in PowerPoint
It’s estimated that people retain approximately 95% of what they see in a video and only 10% if presented in text only. So how do you combine what you need to show in a PowerPoint presentation with the power of video?
The new Recording Studio feature in PowerPoint allows you to do just that. You can record video while reviewing your presentation and then insert it fluidly into your PowerPoint content for a presentation that stands out and gets your point across in a more powerful way.
Speaker Coach in Microsoft Teams
Not everyone is comfortable speaking in front of groups, even virtually. Speaker Coach in Teams is designed as an AI-powered personal coach to help you gain more confidence in your presentation skills.
You can turn on the feature in a meeting and it will run in the background privately. It will provide you with feedback critiques that you can use to improve your delivery and audience engagement skills
You can expect to receive help in the following areas:
- Use of repetitive language
- Inclusiveness
- Use of filler words (Ummm)
- Pace
- Pausing for input
- Intonation
- Speaker overlaps
- And more
Microsoft Loop
This will be a brand-new concept in the way you collaborate and work with others online. Microsoft Loop is an online collaborative workspace where you can build on ideas, bring in syncing components from other Microsoft applications, and allow everyone to track progress and status.
This new app doesn’t have a release date yet, but you can read more about it on the Microsoft Loop page.
Get the Most Out of Microsoft 365 with Connect2Geek as Your Guide
Connect2Geek can help your Treasure Valley area business ensure you’re fully utilizing Microsoft 365 and all its workflow-enhancing features.
Schedule your free consultation to learn more today! Call 208-468-4323 or reach out online.