Leaders who are hesitant to provide artificial intelligence (AI) training and development opportunities to their employees are missing a vital opportunity to empower their workforce and transform their organization. A recent report by Microsoft and LinkedIn found that 66% of business leaders would not hire someone without AI experience, but 45% of executives are not investing in AI tools or products for their current employees.
In a past article, we discussed the risks and impacts of employees bringing their own AI to work when those tools were not made readily accessible on the job. Investing in AI software, such as Microsoft Copilot, for your employees can not only boost productivity and improve a business’s bottom line, but also empower a workforce to deepen their roles.
A Microsoft study on Copilot users found that 70% of users said they were more productive and, overall, Copilot users edited 10% more documents in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Additionally, average Copilot users read 11% fewer emails, while some customers saw a 25 to 45% decrease in time spent reading emails.
While implementing AI in your organization may appear to be a daunting task, the steps below offer guidance on how to implement a manageable, calculated AI strategy that enhances, rather than overwhelms, your current processes.
1. Flip the Switch on AI Tools for Select Groups
One manageable action step to kickstart your AI journey is to designate a few employees who are equipped to test new automation tools in their roles and provide access only to this group. This allows usage to be better controlled and prevents AI technology from overwhelming an entire – potentially unprepared – workforce. This initial group of users can then provide testimonials and serve as champions for change during broader AI rollout campaigns. Once usage is expanded, the trial group can also help other employees learn how to better utilize machine learning.
With Microsoft Copilot specifically, you can enable the Copilot ribbon on select computers. For example, leadership may decide to provide initial use to select members of the finance department so they can boost productivity with automatic graph creation, enhanced data integration and additional Copilot Excel tools.
2. Customize AI Functions for Different Teams
Once you have initial employee buy-in with a group of approved users, you can then determine which additional teams would benefit most from machine learning tools and work to customize functions.
Certain departments will, naturally, have a greater need for AI than others based on their daily responsibilities. As you prepare to roll out access to more employees, identifying the appropriate teams will help prevent the wasting of resources and allow for appropriate use.
Microsoft Copilot has a variety of use cases across programs and applications that will provide different levels of value to certain job functions.
Microsoft Word
Utilizing Copilot in Word can assist with:
- Drafting client proposals
- Generating first drafts by scanning related documents
- Suggesting template layouts
- Suggesting sources for documents
Microsoft Outlook
Utilizing Copilot in Outlook can assist with:
- Drafting emails
- Scheduling meetings
- Summarizing emails
- Filtering and prioritizing emails
Microsoft Excel
Utilizing Copilot in Excel can assist with:
- Analyzing data and trends
- Creating charts and graphs
- Creating macros for automation
- Generating formula column suggestions
Microsoft PowerPoint
Utilizing Copilot in PowerPoint can assist with:
- Creating presentations
- Suggesting multimedia and interactive content
- Applying company branding
- Translating word documents into PowerPoints
3. Prioritize Training and Development
Many employees are eager to adopt AI solutions to streamline job functions and boost creativity. Leaders can channel this enthusiasm into business transformation by offering adequate training and development opportunities around AI. The Microsoft Copilot Scenario Library is one resource that offers use cases for specific roles. Additionally, online courses and modules can be offered to support AI development.
The more familiar employees become with AI, the more likely they are to become power users, a term Microsoft uses to differentiate users who:
- Have familiarity with AI
- Use AI at work at least a few days per week
- Save an average of 30 minutes per day through AI
Power users are more likely to utilize automation to make their workload more manageable, and to experiment with new patterns of work through AI. Ideally, these users will serve as your change champions and enhance the organization’s overall enthusiasm and aptitude for AI.
4. Create a Culture of Innovation
Approaching AI implementation from a place of experimentation will help foster long-term growth across your organization. New tools will not always be utilized or implemented perfectly from the jump, but as more employees are trained on Copilot, and similar software, they can become power users that drive organizational transformation. By structuring implementation in a way that allows for failure and trying new things, leaders can further empower their employees to grow.
5. Partner With Professionals for Streamlined Implementation
As a certified Microsoft Partner, Cherry Bekaert offers an accelerator workshop to help organizations start their AI journey with Copilot by enabling it within their existing Microsoft Office and then developing a strategy to optimize its capabilities. Let us work with you to unlock the power of AI.
