3 Powerful Microsoft 365 Tools Your North East Business is Probably Not Using
If you’re like most small business owners in the North East, you have a Microsoft 365 subscription. You use Outlook for your email, and you write documents in Word and build spreadsheets in Excel. But are you getting the full value from your monthly investment?
For many businesses, the answer is no. Your subscription includes a powerful suite of collaboration and productivity tools that are often overlooked. By using the tools you already own, you can improve your team’s communication, streamline projects, and centralize your company’s knowledge.
Here are three powerful Microsoft 365 tools you should start exploring today.
1. Microsoft Teams: Your Company’s Digital Hub
Many people think of Teams as just a tool for video calls, but its real power lies in its ability to be the central hub for all your team’s communication and collaboration.
Instead of having conversations siloed in different email chains, you can create “Channels” for specific projects or departments. Within each channel, you can chat, share files, hold meetings, and collaborate on documents in real-time. It brings everything and everyone together in one place, making teamwork seamless whether your staff are in the office or working remotely.
2. SharePoint: Your Secure, Internal Company Network
Are you still saving important company files on a messy shared drive or, even worse, on individual computer desktops? SharePoint is the solution. Think of it as your own secure, private company intranet.
You can use it to store and organize all your critical business documents—from company policies and HR templates to project files and client information. With powerful version control (so you never lose an old version of a file) and granular security permissions, you can ensure the right people have access to the right information, securely.
3. Microsoft Planner: Simple, Visual Task Management
How does your team keep track of who is doing what on a project? If the answer is long email chains or a complicated spreadsheet, there’s a better way.
Planner is a simple, visual task management tool that’s built right into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. You can create project boards, assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and visually track progress. It’s perfect for managing small to medium-sized internal projects without the need for expensive, third-party project management software.
Unlock Your Full Microsoft 365 Investment
Getting the most out of the tools you already pay for is one of the easiest ways to improve your business’s productivity. As a Microsoft 365 expert, I can help you implement and get the most out of these powerful applications.
This kind of strategic review is a key part of the free, no-obligation IT & Cybersecurity Audit I offer to North East businesses.