In our recent webinar, ‘Maximising Microsoft 365 Copilot: Insights from Early Adopters’, we explored Microsoft 365 Copilot’s practical use across organisations and shared The Missing Link’s own implementation journey. Drawing from our direct experience, we discussed the strategies that have proven effective for us and our clients during the implementation process. The session revealed the challenges and gains of using Microsoft 365 Copilot demonstrating Copilot’s potential for impactful change when properly implemented.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your Copilot journey or already implementing, these five key insights from the webinar are designed to help you deploy Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Takeaway 1: Understand Copilot for a Tailored AI Experience
The Copilot brand extends beyond Microsoft 365 Copilot, including a variety of standalone AI-powered products designed for different operational needs. For example, GitHub Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Copilot for Dynamics 365 share the Copilot name, but each serves a unique function. Organisations interested in leveraging AI should evaluate these individual Copilot offerings to integrate the solutions that best align with their strategic objectives and current processes.
Our focus is on Microsoft 365 Copilot, designed to complement and enhance the Microsoft 365 suite. Whether it’s drafting documents in Word, enhancing slide creation in PowerPoint, or data analysis in Excel, Microsoft 365 Copilot has a variety of features that cater to different needs.
Adopting Microsoft 365 Copilot follows a series of planned stages to ensure seamless and effective integration. It starts with an IT-focused trial that addresses both user training and data security. This is followed by a pilot group trial, which then scales up to a wider company rollout, and concludes with licence optimisation. Each stage is designed to build upon the last, continuously improving training, security, and usage effectiveness.
We outline these steps in more detail:
Takeaway 2: Start with a controlled Test-Drive by IT
If you’re looking to bring Microsoft 365 Copilot into your business, begin with a small team of IT experts. It’s often most effective for a company’s IT, risk, or governance teams to test Copilot before rolling it out company-wide. They can investigate its capabilities and verify the types of data it accesses to ensure sensitive information, such as employee salaries, remains confidential. This careful approach, considering these main reasons, helps ensure everything runs smoothly and securely before wider use.
- Training is Key: To maximise the value of your Copilot licence, priced at almost $600 AUD per year, training is essential. As some functionalities may not be immediately obvious, learning about prompt engineering can empower users to benefit from the suite’s capabilities.
- Data Safety Comes First: If your digital house isn't in order - with files and folders a bit of a mess - there could be a risk to your security. For instance, if you don't set up your SharePoint correctly, you might unintentionally let confidential information become visible.
Keep in mind that Copilot requires roughly two weeks to fully index information. Starting with a small test group or conducting a security review of your Microsoft 365 tenancy can help you identify and resolve potential problems early. This proactive approach helps prevent bigger mishaps when Copilot usage expands within the organisation.
Takeaway 3: Begin with a Strategic Roll Out by Navigating the Pilot Phase
Following a comprehensive evaluation by your IT test group, the next step is to pick a diverse pilot group. This group should represent a cross-section of your company, with people from various departments to provide a well-rounded view. Keep the group small for easy management.
Why is this pilot group so important? They’re your on-the-ground experts who’ll test-drive Copilot in their daily tasks. Their feedback helps you understand how Copilot works across different parts of your business. This isn’t just regular testing; it’s about getting specific feedback that will help when it’s time to launch Copilot to the wider business.
To ensure the effective implementation of Copilot into your business, implementing a structured four-week pilot program is recommended. This approach includes weekly check-ins, allowing users to share their experiences and findings. It’s also important to collect data at the start and end of the pilot phase to measure success and identify any areas for improvement. By closely observing and reviewing how the pilot group uses Copilot, you can develop a custom training plan that leverages the tool’s strengths to meet your business needs. implementing it into your business. This way, you make sure Copilot works best where it’s needed most.
Takeaway 4: Scale with Impact Through Copilot User Feedback
Let the pilot phase guide the rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot in your organisation and introduce it to high impact departments first. Start small to gather quick, impactful wins that demonstrate its immediate value, encouraging wider adoption. Further expanding within these departments becomes more impactful when coupled with regular 'bring and share' sessions. These sessions enable users to share their learnings and exchange experiences with Copilot, creating a collaborative learning environment. This approach doesn’t just showcase Copilot’s effectiveness; it creates a culture of continuous learning and improvement, laying the groundwork for Copilot to become a transformative part of your technology toolkit.
Takeaway 5: Optimise Usage and Streamline Copilot Licences
To manage your Microsoft 365 Copilot licences, adopt a “use it or lose it” policy. This ensures active engagement with the tool and maximises value. Licences not in use should be reassigned to another team member who is keen to explore Copilot’s AI capabilities, optimising the return on investment for your organisation.
Keep a close eye on how often licences are used to spot chances to pass them on to others. As more people see how useful Copilot is, you’ll likely see a rise in its use throughout your company.
Remember, an unused licence is a missed opportunity. We can help craft a business case that is just right for your unique needs.
Embrace Microsoft 365 Copilot with Confidence
Our ‘Maximising Microsoft 365 Copilot webinar has revealed how AI can change the way we work. With the key takeaways from the session, you’re now better prepared to adopt the strategies used by early adopters to smoothly integrate Copilot into your operations. We’ve explored the key steps – from pilot testing to strategic deployment and smart licence management.
Use these insights to enhance your Copilot strategy, ensuring it delivers tangible benefits to your business operations and validates your investment.
Eager to learn more? Watch the complete webinar for an in-depth understanding and practical guidance for a successful Copilot rollout.
Additionally, explore our Copilot training and accelerator program designed to streamline an effective rollout process within your organisation. can facilitate an effective rollout within your organisation.
