#Microsoft365 #Office365 Dear #Microsoft. I am your biggest fan, and this is a cry for help. Yup, It’s gonna be one of those posts that’s going to upset a couple of people. Please, I beg you, we need to stop “selling” driver’s licenses to people who shouldn’t be driving (yet). I have the utmost faith in people, I see good in everyone, and believe in their ability to be ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, but it’s unfair to give people a lot of power, when they’re not sure what to do with it (yet), or how to use that power “responsibly”. Get what I’m saying?
This is a letter, from my heart, not just to Microsoft, but all the consultants out there…
On a regular basis I meet with clients who’s been on #Office365 for a while, and have done crazy, wonderful, scary, heart-stopping stuff. Because they didn’t know better. And let’s face it, they most probably didn’t sell themselves the licenses.
It breaks my heart… Because if they just had a bit of advice, they would have started slower, or different, or taken some time to get to know the Apps and Services first. I’m a consultant, and I cannot say I’m proud to call myself that everyday.
This is Microsoft’s Vision (and my own):
“Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
Dear #Consultant: Issuing people with Office 365 licenses and then leaving them out to fend for themselves, is not the honorable thing to do. Except if you’re trying to create an environment where you have to maintain and fix their stuff forever – shame on you.
Or…
You don’t know the capabilities that #Office365 has to offer, so you didn’t get more involved Yup. I just said that. Sometimes we don’t show people the stuff, we don’t know.
So…
I am asking you, when you help companies move to #Office365, give them a free Introductory Training day, something that shows them all the capabilities and how things are supposed to fit into each other. After all, aren’t we here to help “each other walk home”. Don’t we want for people to achieve the most they can and be the best versions of themselves?
Dear #Microsoft: How about we deliver an “Introduction to Office 365 course” and before a license is activated for a user – they need to go through a 2 hour mandatory overview and then the license is activated? Just a high level overview of the different Apps and how it can transform their lives as they know it?
I can promise everyone, I’ve made crazy (financial) sacrifices because the client’s well being is my only goal. And believe me, they stay clients for life.
When you do the right thing, for the right reason, you’ll always have work.
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 https://tracyvanderschyff.com/microsoft-365/ . 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 https://www.youtube.com/regarding365 ”
Disclaimer: I create content 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.
July 20, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Well said, Tracy!