In today's fast-paced business environment, it's essential to have tools that can help streamline processes and increase efficiency. Microsoft 365 provides a suite of tools that can help businesses achieve this goal, and the best part is that they're simple to use. You may have already been using Word and Outlook, but there's a whole lot more to this platform. In this blog, we're going to dive into some of the lesser-known features of Microsoft 365 - and show you how you can use them to boost your productivity and streamline your work. In particular, OneNote and Power Automate, are real game-changers.
Here are some of the Microsoft 365 tools that can help make your business more efficient:
#1 - Teams
Teams is a communication and collaboration platform that brings together chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and project management in one place. It allows you to stay connected with your team and stay on top of projects, even when working remotely.
#2 - Power Automate
Power Automate is one of the most powerful tools in Microsoft 365 that many people are not fully utilizing. It's essentially a workflow automation tool that allows you to streamline and automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more strategic work. With Power Automate, you can set up automated workflows that can integrate with other Microsoft 365 tools, such as Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint, as well as with other applications and services. By automating routine tasks, you can improve your productivity, reduce errors, and save time on manual processes.
For example, you could use Power Automate to automate the following tasks:
A weekly report sent to stakeholders via email every Monday morning - all automated.
Approving leave requests in Outlook and having your team's calendar update automatically.
A follow-up email sent to clients who haven't replied after three days - all on autopilot.
These are just a few examples of what you can automate with Power Automate, and the possibilities are virtually endless!
#3 - OneNote
OneNote is a digital notebook that allows you to capture notes, ideas, and information in one place. You can use OneNote to take notes during meetings, create to-do lists, and organize your thoughts, and access your notes from anywhere. We love OneNote for so many reasons, including:
Cross-platform compatibility: OneNote is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, allowing you to access your notes from any device.
Handwriting recognition: OneNote can recognize handwriting and convert it to text, making it a great tool for taking notes during meetings, brainstorming sessions, and more.
Integration with other Microsoft tools: OneNote integrates with other Microsoft tools like Teams, Outlook, and Word, making it a powerful addition to your workflow. We love using OneNote to collate important emails - when you drag and drop emails over from Outlook it adds the entire email in a nice, readable format which is perfect for collating information and building good reference material.
Collaboration: OneNote allows multiple users to work on the same note at the same time, making it easy for teams to collaborate on projects, ideas, and more.
Search functionality: OneNote has powerful search functionality, allowing you to quickly find what you're looking for, even within handwritten notes.
Customization: OneNote allows you to customize your notes with a range of formatting options, including font styles, colors, and more.
By leveraging these lesser-known benefits of OneNote, you can streamline your work and become more productive. Whether you're a student, professional, or just looking for a better way to take notes, OneNote is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals.
#4 - Forms
Forms is a tool that enables you to create surveys, quizzes, and other forms for data collection and feedback. You can use Forms to gather information from your team, customers, or clients, and use the results to make informed decisions.
#5 - Planner
Planner is a project management tool that allows you to organize and track tasks, deadlines, and assignments. With features like task prioritization, status updates, and file attachments, Planner makes it easy to keep your team on track.
These are just a few examples of the Microsoft 365 tools that can help make your business more efficient. By leveraging these tools, you can save time, increase productivity, and focus on the tasks that matter most to your business.
At Business Evolution Experts (BEE), we're dedicated to helping businesses thrive and succeed. If you're looking to streamline processes and increase efficiency, our team of experts can help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business evolve.
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