Category: Microsoft Teams

  • How to Get Started with AI Using Microsoft Copilot: A Simple Guide for Everyday Users

    If you use Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, or Teams, you might have noticed a new helper called Copilot. It’s part of Microsoft’s AI tools and makes your work easier, faster, and even more fun.

    But what exactly is Copilot? And how do you use it if you’re not a tech expert?

    Let’s break it down.

    Copilot Is More Like a Brain Than a Program

    Think of Copilot like a smart coworker, not a robot that always knows the correct answer. It’s designed to help you think, write, plan, and solve problems, but it doesn’t always get things perfect.

    That’s why it’s best to treat Copilot as a thought partner. It can help you:

    • Draft emails
    • Summarize documents
    • Create presentations
    • Brainstorm ideas
    • Analyze data

    But you’ll still need to review and guide what it gives you.

    Which Copilot Do You Have?

    There are different versions of Copilot depending on your Microsoft license. If your workplace uses Microsoft 365, you might already have access to:

    • Copilot in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
    • Copilot in PowerPoint to help build slides
    • Copilot in OneNote to organize your thoughts

    You can check with your IT team or visit Microsoft’s Copilot overview to see what’s included in your plan.

    Be Smart About AI Advice

    AI is exciting, but there’s also a lot of misinformation out there. Some people claim there’s “no risk” in using AI or training it with your data. That’s not true.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind:

    • Training AI on sensitive data can be risky—it might remember things it shouldn’t.
    • Check the sources of any information Copilot gives you.
    • Be cautious about who you learn from—some “AI experts” may not have real experience.

    If someone is giving you AI advice, ask about their background. Just like you wouldn’t take legal advice from someone who’s never studied law, you shouldn’t take AI advice from someone who’s never worked with it.

    Learn for Free—No Extra Cost

    You don’t need to pay for expensive courses to learn how to use Copilot. Microsoft offers free training that’s easy to follow:

    • Get started with AI on Microsoft Learn
    • Copilot for Microsoft 365 Training Hub

    These are included with your Microsoft license—no extra fees.

    Want to Get Better with Copilot? Build These Skills

    To get the most out of Copilot, focus on:

    • Critical Thinking – Don’t just accept the first answer.
    • Asking Good Questions – The better your prompt, the better the result.
    • Creative Problem Solving – Use Copilot to explore new ideas and solutions.

    Yes, Copilot can help you write a quick email. But it can also help you plan your day, solve tricky problems, and develop new ideas—if you know how to work with it.

    Final Tip: Start Small

    Try asking Copilot to:

    • Write a summary of a long email
    • Help you draft a meeting agenda
    • Create a to-do list from a Teams chat

    Once you get comfortable, you’ll see how powerful it can be.

    TechHouse

    Innovative Solutions. Practical Software. Friendly Support.

    Schedule a call  |  View Upcoming Events  |  Access our TechHouse Library of Articles

  • Client Corner #3: Getting Creative and Adapting to New Changes

    Client Corner #3: Getting Creative and Adapting to New Changes

    [fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ admin_label=”Article Content” margin_top=”50px”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”4_5″ layout=”4_5″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ margin_bottom=”0px” hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”center” content_alignment=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”17px” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=””]

    Getting Creative and Adapting to New Changes

    Adapting looks different for everyone.

    This week, we will be talking about a few clients we’re working with, the problems they’re facing, and what TechHouse is doing to help. The problems range in complexity, but the theme that ties them together is getting creative and adapting to new challenges.

    Last year, many companies had to pivot to adapt to the pandemic. Now, with a sense of normalcy returning, companies are having to readjust again. Many now have hybrid workforces as some employees return to the office and continue working from home.

    This first client is a prime example.

    Updating a Teams Phone System for a Hybrid Work Model

    We helped this client go fully remote last year with Microsoft Teams VoIP. They were not going into the office at all, and their entire phone system was on-premises and therefore useless during the pandemic.

    However, now their office building is back open, and both employees and guests are returning. Their old system had an extension in the building to buzz people in, but they lost that capability when they moved to Teams.

    To solve this problem and keep their updated Teams phone system, TechHouse is helping the customer set up an E-Receptionist. With a Teams-powered device in the lobby and some configuration, the customer will be able to buzz in visitors as they used to while keeping their updated, online phone system to support their hybrid work model.

    Restaurant with Multiple Locations Turns to Automation to Handle Invoicing

    Another client we work with has struggled to find office labor to handle administrative tasks, specifically accounting and invoicing.

    This client is a restaurant with multiple locations, and now that more people are going out to eat, their accounting and invoicing volume has increased. Before the pandemic, they would have hired someone to handle the increased amount of work, but now they are having trouble finding someone and are turning to automation software to get the job done.

    Since this client doesn’t have a dedicated internal IT team, TechHouse, as their trusted technology partner, is helping them assess software and OCR scanning solutions to make the best decision for their growing business.

    Busy Entrepreneur Needs Help Jump-Starting His Tech Baseline

    The last client we want to highlight this month is an entrepreneur who has been so busy working on the other parts of his business that he hasn’t had the time to address technology at all.

    This client is a serial entrepreneur who has created several successful companies in various industries. He currently runs an agriculture company that focuses on sustainable farming and has ten employees.

    The problem he faces is a simple one: he has one email that goes to his computer and a different email that goes to his phone.

    TechHouse is helping him get set up on Microsoft 365, so he has one secure email for all his devices that is also on a platform that can scale with his business. Although this problem may seem simple, it’s easy to overlook as an entrepreneur who is heavily involved in many different parts of the business.

    Incremental Steps Lead to Long-Lasting Change

    Beyond displaying the willingness to adapt and solve problems creatively, all these client stories also exemplify the effectiveness of making incremental changes.

    It’s better to gradually make small changes to your business that will solve your current problems and further support your foundation down the road than to make sudden, drastic changes that solve existing problems but create more problems in the future.

    Switching to a VoIP phone system means your business will never be limited to an office ever again.

    Using automation means you won’t have to hire someone to do a certain process ever again, and you won’t have to worry about human error.

    Having your email set up correctly on a platform that can scale with your business means you can grow as much or as little as you want with the tools you need just a click away.

    How your business uses (or doesn’t use) technology can help or hinder your growth.

    Working with a partner who understands your business and can advise you every step of the way and even anticipate challenges before they affect your bottom line is the best way to grow sustainably. If your business is facing technological challenges, contact us today to see how we can help you adapt and thrive.

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Streamlining Communication with Microsoft Teams: Our Approach

    Streamlining Communication with Microsoft Teams: Our Approach

    Here at TechHouse, we consider ourselves experts in making remote-only offices work — after all, we’ve been remote from the beginning!

    Over the years, we’ve discovered that Microsoft Teams can significantly enhance internal communication when used effectively:

    • For immediate attention – we prefer a call on Teams
    • For urgent matters – a message on Teams works best
    • For non-urgent issues – an email suffices

    These guidelines help us maintain a balance between addressing immediate needs and focusing on ongoing projects, ensuring optimal productivity.

    Organizing Contacts by Skill

    We’ve found it beneficial to organize contacts by skill rather than by department. This approach allows us to efficiently address specific needs.

    However, it’s crucial to manage the creation of new Teams to prevent confusion and maintain effective collaboration.

    Prioritizing Work-Life Balance

    At TechHouse, we understand the importance of balancing professional commitments with personal responsibilities. That’s why we appreciate the flexibility offered by Microsoft Teams.

    With Teams on their mobile devices, our team members can participate in meetings from anywhere, providing them with the flexibility they need.

    Embracing Flexibility with Microsoft Teams

    Being confined to a desk all day isn’t conducive to productivity or job satisfaction. If your tech guidelines are creating rigidity, it might be time to reconsider.

    Introducing flexibility can foster trust within your team, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

    Investing in technology like Microsoft Teams that empowers your team to work in a way that suits them best could be a game-changer for your organization.

    Ready to optimize your use of Microsoft Teams? Contact us today for more insights!