Indispensable Advice for Increased Productivity in Microsoft Teams

Every business needs the right tools to get the job done and keep your team on track. However, juggling multiple apps and software can be a nightmare when trying to keep information streamlined and easily accessible. That’s where Microsoft Teams for Small Business comes in.

In this article, we will explore the 10 best Microsoft Teams hacks so that everyone in your company has everything they need at their fingertips.

The 10 best Microsoft Teams hacks for small businesses

1) Sharing files and collaborative editing

Demand for coworking opportunities has increased in recent years. And while modern work conventions have dictated the need for more collaborative software, there are real statistics to support the benefits of editing together.

According to a Deloitte study, “When employees work together, 73% do better work, 60% are more innovative, 56% feel more satisfied, and 15% work faster.”

Microsoft Teams understands this and has continually evolved its ability to share and collaboratively edit files. With 10 GB of cloud storage per user, it’s easier than ever to work on documents with others wherever you are.

You can also quickly share document files by adding them to a chat within Microsoft Teams, so no additional email is needed to share information.

2) Filtering messages

Along with our previous point, running an efficient business often means having messaging software that can keep pace. However, it can be overwhelming when you have a sea of messages and no way to highlight or find what you are looking for.

No more. With Microsoft Teams, you can filter messages and find exactly what you need. This replaces the need to use an additional messaging service, such as Slack, and keeps everything within one comprehensive platform.

This eliminates the headache of switching back and forth between platforms and having to have multiple windows open all the time to get work done.

3) Hosting meetings

Hosting meetings is another great feature of Microsoft Teams. The software allows you to schedule virtual meetings with hundreds of participants simultaneously. That means you have everything you and your team need, no matter the size of your business.

Recent updates have also expanded the ability to co-host breakout rooms. More features mean more ways for your team to connect!

4) Live translated subtitles

Updates from 2023 for Microsoft Teams also increased accessibility. For example, there is a new setting that you can turn on and off that makes live translated subtitles appear during meetings.

The system will save your settings for each meeting, or you can just turn it off when you no longer need it. The choice is ultimately yours.

You can also get the transcripts of the meeting when it’s over to quickly review the one part you were looking for!

5) Chat features

One of the best features of the Microsoft Teams experience is chat. With unlimited chats and the ability to filter through them, as we mentioned earlier, your team can have important conversations while also getting work done in the same place.

New this year, the platform now allows you to delete chats on your end while leaving them open on the other end when you no longer need the information. In addition, you can easily add people to existing conversations, and AI technology can suggest who you might want to talk to next.

These features make it easier than ever to collaborate with others

and keep everyone on the same page.

6) Picture-In-Picture Functionality.

Not every meeting needs your full attention. Teams has a picture-in-picture functionality that allows you to play a meeting while doing other things.

That means you don’t have to put down other work while on less important calls and can multitask.

7) Do Not Disturb

In addition to picture-in-picture display options, there are other ways you can value your time with Microsoft Teams settings.

This platform allows you to turn on “do not disturb” when you need to step away from your desk, take a vacation, or go home/log in at the end of the day.

There are plenty of things that can wait until tomorrow, and you deserve to set healthy boundaries when it comes to getting work done and taking time for yourself and your family.

8) Data encryption

When you use an all-in-one comprehensive platform, a lot of information is exchanged. Between attaching important documents to chat threads to day-to-day communications, you need to know that all your information and that of your customers is secure.

Microsoft Teams has you covered. With data encryption, you don’t have to worry about leaking private information on the Internet. That means peace of mind for you and everything you work with.

9) Multi-question polls

The last feature we will mention that is new in 2023 is the ability to have multi-question polls within a meeting. This gives you more flexibility to ask the questions you need and gives you an easy place to collect that data.

It has never been easier to run a meeting and gather information.

10) Saving MONEY

Most companies already have Microsoft Teams included in their current software package and can save a lot of money by eliminating unnecessary services.

Paying for dozens (or hundreds) of employee licenses for Slack, Zoom, Monday, Basecamp and more can be a thing of the past by taking advantage of the features already included in Microsoft Teams.

Many of the companies we look at needlessly spend tens of thousands or more on these other services, and that money goes directly to the bottom line.

Microsoft Teams for Victory

Whether you’re looking for a solution for messaging, collaboration, video calls, document sharing or accessibility features within your organization, Microsoft Teams can help your small business achieve exactly what you need.

With these 10 features – and many more – you’ll be better equipped to work together as a team and won’t have to waste time tying together multiple apps on the go.

ALTA-ICT specializes in working with small businesses to make them more productive and profitable, while keeping their data and business protected. To see what we can do for you, click here or go to: https://alta-ict.nl/contact to schedule a quick introductory meeting.