During the pandemic, with everyone working from home, businesses had to rapidly adapt to a changing work environment in order to keep functioning. This presented new communication challenges, as their workforce and their clients had to suddenly communicate remotely.
It was at this point that video conference platforms like Microsoft Teams came into their own. Companies realised that Microsoft Teams could help departments liaise, clients feel connected, and employees discuss complex work projects – all without having to be in the office.
Now, post-pandemic, the work-from-home culture is still going strong and Microsoft Teams has become an Integral part of many companies’ communication strategies. In fact, according to Statista, its number of users has doubled to 270 million daily users worldwide. Its ability to provide real-time meetings, collaborations and conversations has made it an essential part of daily communications in the remote workplace.
However, how do you make the most of Microsoft Teams in order to boost employee connectivity and productivity? Here, we explore some of your options.
- Use the mobile app
Having the app on your mobile device will allow you access to important files and conversations without needing to be near a computer. Furthermore, it means you can join meetings wherever you are in the world. This means that you can communicate with your team easily at any time, ensuring maximum productivity. Ensuring you and your workforce have the app will definitely improve your productivity.
- Create channels and pin important ones for easy access.
Nobody wants to spend ages searching for a channel they need urgently, as this is time-consuming and can hold up progress. To limit the times this happens, pin your most used channels to the top left-hand corner of your Teams window. This way you will always have easy access to them.
- Use MS Teams to collaborate on different MS Office
In the past, file sharing often posed a problem, as there were limited online collaborative tools available. However, with MS Teams, it is now possible to work on files remotely with other colleagues by sharing your Office document via your Teams channel. By doing this, you can work on projects in real-time, without any of you needing to be in the same place.
- Speed up your work by learning shortcuts and utilising new functions
Teams, like many platforms, has a whole array of shortcuts that ensure you can work faster and more efficiently.
For example, Command + N will start a new chat, and Command + Comma opens the MS Teams settings. Similarly, by typing the Slash key followed by the location you want, you can skip to the place you’re looking for. Meanwhile, Control + G will take you to a particular channel.
Also, make sure you utilise all the program’s functions or at least explore the additional things it can do. For instance, Microsoft Teams Operator Connect is an excellent way to connect your MS Teams with your telephone system, helping them to work together and ensuring further connectivity.
- Be available, but not too available
During your work day, it’s important that you are readily available to communicate with your bosses, employees and fellow colleagues. MS Teams is brilliant at ensuring you can do this, linking you up with various departments and teams no matter where you are.
There are times, though, when this easy access can be counterproductive. If someone is in the middle of a difficult project or is working to a tight deadline, setting their MS Teams to ‘Do Not Disturb’, ‘Busy’ or ‘Focusing’ can ensure that this task is completed correctly and on time – without any disruptions.
By setting these basic rules, you will ensure MS Teams works for you rather than against you.
