Microsoft 365 And The Hybrid Office
“Hybrid office” recently arrived as the new buzzword used constantly in business discussions. Hybridization, in this sense, is the mix of employees both working at the office and working from home on different days and perhaps in different roles. Hybrid offices have become more than a buzzword. Due to wide demand and pandemic pressures, it’s now the reality for many companies.
In a survey of employees with remote-capable jobs, the surveyers found that as of February of 2022, 42% of them were working a hybrid schedule. 39% were working from home full time.
The global pandemic made this hybrid office transition necessary. It forced companies to operate with teams that couldn’t meet in a physical office. During this time, employers and employees alike experienced the benefits of hybrid work firsthand.
The benefits of remote teams included immense cost savings for both workers and employers. Remote and hybrid work also allowed businesses to operate with more flexibility. Improved worker morale offered yet another advantage.
Many employers that feared remote work would tank productivity. Surprisingly to all, this new flexibility actually increased productivity in many circumstances.
63% of high-growth companies decided on a “productivity anywhere” hybrid work approach.
For hybrid teams to be effective and productive, they need to stay connected. No matter where they work, the right technology tools need to enable them to connect.
Microsoft perennially leads in this space. The company plans to add several exciting updates this year to its full suite. These additions aim to provide more tools for businesses to improve their hybrid teams connectivity and ability to produce.
We present some of the ways you can use Microsoft 365 to unleash a productive hybrid office. Please note, some of these features are already out, while others release later this year.
1. Microsoft Teams & Expanded Features
Microsoft Teams offers much more than a team messaging app. The program added the best features of virtual video meetings to messaging channel capability. Teams brings those functions together into a platform designed as a secure online work hub.
MS Teams has developed fast in the last five years. Furthermore, Microsoft continues to add more features to empower hybrid offices. Some of the recent feature updates include:
- The ability to do webinar registration
- Presenter modes that provide a more professional virtual presence
- Increased security through features like smart links and smart attachments
- A full business VoIP phone system add-on
- The addition of a “metaverse” component called Mesh for Teams
2. Brand New Meeting Options for RSVP in Outlook
When everyone isn’t working in the same place, one of the big challenges is how employees know when to “clock in” and “clock out.” Another challenge comes in keeping colleagues updated whether you are working at home next week or the office.
To help hybrid teams better coordinate, Outlook gets an update. The program will allow users to RSVP to meetings. This feature allows other team members know whether the responder is attending virtually or in person.
3. Better Framing for More Engaging Meetings
Someone’s background at home can really distract from meetings. Individual positioning of the camera also causes issues. One team member might have their face taking up 80% of the video screen. Another may only take up 20% simply because they’re sitting farther away from their PC’s camera.
The new Surface Hub 2S Smart Camera will allow for better face framing. Better face framing matters when teams meet virtually in Microsoft Teams. Features include adjusting the room view so people’s faces will be clearer, as well as having more consistent sizing.
The new video display also automatically adjusts as people join or leave a physical room.
4. Better Control of Your Video While Using PowerPoint to Present
Employees often share a screen in a video call to run PowerPoint presentations. Under those circumstances, it can be difficult to keep everyone as engaged as presentations run in person.
For instance, in person, the presenter can easily maintain eye contact. People can clearly see facial expressions and hand gestures as the presenter emphasizes various things. Those factors diminish when presenting virtually. The app may push your video feed into a tiny box on a small screen.
One of the new upcoming feature for Teams, called Cameo, allows presenters to seamlessly integrate PowerPoint with MS teams. The presenter can decide exactly how the video feed appears in relation to the overall presentation.
Another high demand addition is Recording Studio. This PowerPoint feature allows presenters to record professional-looking on-demand videos. Anyone can do it right inside the app.
5. Get Help With Presentation Skills
Microsoft poured a lot of AI capabilities into Microsoft 365, among other offerings, over the last several years. One AI enhanced feature that will soon help deliver better virtual presentations is Speaker Coach.
Speaker Coach offers a private and personalized coach. The program helps individuals hone presentation skills. This improves switching capability from presenting online versus in person.
Some of the feedback it provides include:
- Use of repetitive language
- Use of filler words (Ummm)
- Speaking pace
- Pausing for input
- Intonation
- Speaker overlaps
- And more
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