Posted on by Jason Wynn

How Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you work smarter and faster

A summary of the Train the Trainer workshop by Jason Wynn, Microsoft MVP

Have you ever wished you had a smart assistant who could help you with various tasks, such as writing documents, creating presentations, sending emails, and summarising meetings? A tool that could understand your goal and deliver the best results based on your data and context? A solution that could boost your productivity, creativity, and efficiency?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in Copilot for Microsoft 365, a new AI-powered feature that became available for all Microsoft 365 users on 1 November. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered tool that can help you with various tasks, such as writing documents, creating presentations, sending emails, and summarising meetings. All you need to do is click a button and let Copilot do the work for you.

But how can you learn to use Copilot effectively? How can you get ready for the era of AI? How can you grow your business by delivering AI solutions to your customers? These are some of the questions that Jason Wynn, a Microsoft MVP and a trainer for Microsoft Indirect Partners, addressed in his Train the Trainer workshop on Copilot for Microsoft 365. In this blog post, we will summarise the main points of his presentation and showcase the benefits of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how to get started with it.

What is Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how does it work?

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a feature that integrates with Microsoft 365 apps, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Loop, and Whiteboard. It uses AI to assist you with various tasks, such as creating, summarising, editing, or transforming. You can interact with Copilot by using prompts, which are simple and clear instructions that you type or speak to Copilot. For example, you can type “summarise this document” or “create a presentation based on this outline” and Copilot will generate a response based on your data and context.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 uses the Microsoft Graph, which is a platform that connects your data and insights across Microsoft 365. Copilot can access your documents, emails, calendars, chats, meetings, and contacts, and use them to provide accurate, relevant, and contextual responses. Copilot also uses your working context, such as the meeting you are in, the email exchanges you had on a topic, or the chat conversations you had last week, to tailor its responses to your needs and preferences.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is not a static feature. It will evolve and adapt as Copilot and AI become smarter and more advanced. Copilot for Microsoft 365 will provide you with the latest information and resources to help you keep up with the changes and opportunities. Copilot for Microsoft 365 will also reflect your needs and preferences. You can customise your Copilot experience by choosing the prompts you like, the topics you are interested in, and the level of difficulty you want. You can also give feedback and suggestions to improve Copilot and Copilot for Microsoft 365.

What are the benefits of Copilot for Microsoft 365?

Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you work smarter and faster in various ways. Here are some of the benefits of using Copilot for Microsoft 365:

  • Save time and effort. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you complete tasks that would otherwise take you hours or days, such as writing a report, creating a slide deck, or summarising a meeting. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you with tasks that you might find tedious or boring, such as formatting, proofreading, or converting data. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can free up your time and focus on more important or creative aspects of your work.
  • Enhance your skills and knowledge. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you learn new skills and improve your existing ones, such as writing, presenting, or communicating. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you discover new information and insights, such as data trends, best practices, or customer feedback. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can expand your horizons and grow your expertise.
  • Boost your creativity and innovation. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you generate new ideas and solutions, such as product features, marketing campaigns, or business strategies. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you explore different perspectives and scenarios, such as customer needs, competitor actions, or market opportunities. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can unleash your potential and drive innovation.
  • Collaborate and communicate better. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you work better with others, such as colleagues, customers, or partners. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can help you create and share content that is clear, concise, and engaging, such as emails, messages, or documents. Copilot for Microsoft 365 can also help you access and use content that is relevant, timely, and contextual, such as meeting notes, chat conversations, or feedback. By using Copilot for Microsoft 365, you can enhance your collaboration and communication.

How to get started with Copilot for Microsoft 365?

If you are interested in using Copilot for Microsoft 365, here are some steps you can take to get started:

  • Check the requirements. To use Copilot for Microsoft 365, you need to have a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, or a Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard or Premium licence. You also need to have the Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. You can check the full list of requirements and learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365 at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-copilot-requirements.
  • Enable Copilot for Microsoft 365. If you are an admin, you can enable Copilot for Microsoft 365 for your organisation by using the onboarding wizard in the Microsoft 365 admin centre. You can also assign licences to end users and share email announcements to drive awareness and adoption. If you are an end user, you can check with your admin if Copilot for Microsoft 365 is enabled for you and your organisation.
  • Try out Copilot for Microsoft 365. Once Copilot for Microsoft 365 is enabled, you can start using it in any Microsoft app, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams. You can look for the Copilot button and click on it to see the Copilot Lab option. Copilot Lab is a collection of prompts that you can use to explore and experiment with Copilot. You can also create your own prompts and see how Copilot responds. You can also learn from other users and experts who have created and shared their own prompts.
  • Learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365, join the Copilot community at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/copilot-for-microsoft-365/ct-p/Microsoft365Copilot to meet others on the Copilot journey and ask questions and get answers.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a powerful tool that can help you work smarter and faster. It can help you save time, enhance your skills, boost your creativity, and collaborate better. It can also help you get ready for the era of AI and grow your business by delivering AI solutions to your customers. If you want to learn more about Copilot for Microsoft 365 and how to get started with it, you can contact us at [email protected] to schedule a demo or a consultation.