#Microsoft365 #Office365 As part of a mini series for #CitizenDevelopers I’ll be sharing tips and tricks around Business Analysis, Project and Change Management etc. Today we’ll take a look at Communication and Training. These form a crucial part of Change Management and usually has a much bigger impact on user adoption than you think.
For previous posts in my #Microsoft365Challenge go to the index page.
DISCLAIMER: I WRITE ARTICLES ABOUT OFFICE / MICROSOFT 365. CONTENT IS ACCURATE AT TIME OF PUBLICATION, HOWEVER UPDATES AND NEW ADDITIONS HAPPEN DAILY WHICH COULD CHANGE THE ACCURACY OR RELEVANCE. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN USING MY BLOGS AS GUIDELINES.
Recap: The purpose of this blog is to help you become a better solution builder. As mentioned, you might have the technical skill – but I want you to rock at building great solutions. And to do so, there’s some other skills you require as well. Like Business Analysis, Project Management, Communication, Problem Solving & Creativity. I’ll be basing this on the 8 Digital Literacy Pillars that I support through training, and you’ll see that Business Analysis is supported by all 8 of the pillars, so you need to apply all those skills in your business analysis.
- Part 1: Business Analysis – Ask the right questions
- Part 2: Business Analysis – Document your Solutions
- Part 3: Project Management
- Part 4: Process Flowcharts for #Microsoft365 Citizen Developers
- Part 5: Creativity & Curation
- Part 6: Communication & Training
- Part 7: Change Management
Communication and Training
For me Communication is a form of Training. There are different mediums when it comes to Communication and Training. Here are some:
- Emails
- Announcements through News on SharePoint
- Posters
- Pamphlets
- Desktop Backgrounds
- Videos on Stream
- Images in web parts on pages
- Classroom led training
- Online (Skype / Teams) Training
- Quick Reference Guides
- Surveys and Quizzes through Forms
- Brochures in Sway
- Teams (add training groups on Teams to help with sharing and support)
There’s no perfect plan or way to do things, but here’s a couple of things I want you to keep in mind:
- The important thing to remember is that you should always communicate your failures and successes. If you didn’t roll out something as planned, be honest with the users and tell them why. We’re all human you know.
- Always communicate in time and repeat the communications. Never assume – you might have forgotten already what your users still need to learn, have patience and make sure that you cover all the basics.
- Include PC (Digital) Literacy in your training. People are still struggling with the basics, you can’t add advanced apps and expect them to just adopt it.
- Don’t forget about Microsoft Office, this forms the foundation for everything we do.
- Always address the same message / training on different mediums. People learn and consume different.
- Teach people to help themselves, and stay up to date with all the changes in Office 365.
- Don’t be boring.
Below are some tips / tools to help you get the message out and train your users:
Microsoft Forms
Use Microsoft Forms to create feedback surveys and quizzes for after training:
- #Microsoft365 Day 285: Add Feedback to #MicrosoftTeams with #MicrosoftForms
- #Microsoft365 Day 247: How to use Branching Logic in #MicrosoftForms?
- #Microsoft365 Day 246: Have you used the Ranking Column in #MicrosoftForms?
- #Microsoft365 Day 245: Updates to the Settings in #MicrosoftForms
- #Microsoft365 Day 244: #Office365 Groups now available in Microsoft Forms
- #Microsoft365 Day 241: Create a Quiz with Microsoft Forms
Communication Site News
The News on Communication Sites also pull through on the mobile apps. Use this to communicate with the company during projects / launches:
- #Microsoft365 Day 325: Add #SharePoint team site News in a #MicrosoftTeams channel
- #Microsoft365 Day 281: Add #SharePoint Pages and News on #MicrosoftTeams Tabs
- #Microsoft365 Day 109 – Promote your News on SharePoint Online
Training
I know I’ve said this a 100 times or more. Digital Literacy is super important. invest in your users by giving them the skills and tools they need to be more productive AND HAPPY:
- #Microsoft365 Day 192: Training Resources in your Office 365 Admin Center
- #Microsoft365 Day 133: Use Stream for Awareness and Training on your Intranet
- #Microsoft365 Day 129: ROI on Training, transform your business!
- #Microsoft365 Day 118: SharePoint Training Checklist & Considerations
- #Microsoft365 Day 54: #Office365 Training Center
- Day 115 – Office 365 scenario-based training
- #Microsoft365 Day 152: PC Literacy basics everyone should know
- #Microsoft365 Day 106 – The real cost of PC Illiteracy in your company
- Microsoft 365 Day 49: Digital Literacy and the Impact on User Adoption
- #Microsoft365 Day 224: Fixing problems vs Fixing People
- Microsoft365 Day 86: The Evolution of Finding Stuff
- Microsoft 365 Day 33: Supercharge your Search Skills
- Microsoft 365 Day 42: Use the Super Windows Button
- Microsoft 365 Day 3: Facilitating The Evolution Of Human Capabilities
Hero Web Parts
The Hero Web Parts are great places to add images that tell a story. Think motivational posters. Here’s some posts to get you inspired and even using GIF’s to get your message across:
- #Microsoft365 Day 59: Using a GIF in your Hero Web Part
- #Microsoft365 Day 90 – A closer look at the ‘super’ hero web part in Communication Sites
Desktop Backgrounds
Desktop Backgrounds are a great way to communicate, and it’s pretty much free!! In this post I used Desktop Backgrounds for training:
Stream
Video is starting to become more popular, as long as you keep it short. Stream is perfect for loading training videos and messages and then surface them through SharePoint or Teams:
- #Microsoft365 Day 133: Use Stream for Awareness and Training on your Intranet
- #Microsoft365 Day 170: Adding a Stream Channel on a SharePoint Online Page
- #Microsoft365 Day 254: Add #Stream Channels to your #MicrosoftTeam to help your users Learn
- #Microsoft365 Day 270: Restrict Company Wide Channel Creation in #MicrosoftStream
- #Microsoft365 Day 282: Using and Editing Transcripts in #Microsoft #Stream
- #Microsoft365 Day 283: Put focus on Videos by using Spotlight in #Microsoft #Stream
Sway
Create Information brochures with Sway and share them on pages and through emails:
- Day 301 – Creating your first Microsoft Sway Presentation
- Day 302 – Working with Images in your Microsoft Sway
- Day 303 – Using Media in Microsoft Sway
- Day 304 – How to use Layouts in Microsoft Sway
- Day 305 – Design and Remix in Microsoft Sway
Purpose of this blog challenge: I will write 365 blogs in 365 days around Microsoft 365. I did a similar challenge with Office 365, blogs can be found here. I won’t just be talking about the new Microsoft 365 subscription model. I will be sharing any news, tips and tricks around Office / Office 365 / Windows / Mobility and Security. And let’s not forget all the great new Apps & services available. A lot of what I’ll share on Office and SharePoint will also be applicable to none “Office 365” versions.
You can also find me contributing to REgarding 365. I’m a member of a group of enthusiasts, sharing their stories, thoughts and opinions about Microsoft 365. Catch us at https://regarding365.com | @regarding365 on Twitter and regarding365 on YouTube
Want to work with me? You’re welcome to CONTACT ME:
(If it’s related to a specific blog, rather comment on the actual blog please – do not send an email)
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