Microsoft Teams has become the go-to platform for internal communication in businesses across the UK. Whether you swear by it or sigh every time it pings, we can all agree it stirs up some strong opinions. Maybe it’s the relentless notifications that feel like they’re plotting against your tea break, or that one colleague who seems physically incapable of finding the mute button. But here’s the thing – behind the collective grumbles and biscuits dunked in frustration, Teams is hiding some cracking features that are more useful than a cuppa on a cold Monday morning. From Polls and Praise to Shared Channels, Loop components, and Approvals, these hidden gems can genuinely transform how we work and communicate. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to make Teams less of a fuss and more of a win for your team.
Polls: Engaging and Inclusive Decision-Making
Polls are a brilliant way to quickly gather feedback, opinions, and preferences from your team. Whether you’re choosing the next team lunch spot or gathering input for a new IT system rollout, Polls make it easy to include everyone without a hitch. They’re a fast and fair way to get answers, so no one feels left out.
Practical Example: Imagine you’re in an IT department planning a cybersecurity training session and need to pin down a date that works for the team. Rather than pinging endless emails back and forth, you can drop a Poll in your Teams channel. Team members can vote on their availability, and you’ll instantly see the most popular choice. A simple tech solution to save the techies some precious time!
Tip: Use Polls to gauge team sentiment on project timelines or tool preferences. It’s a great way to give everyone, even the quieter ones, a voice in decisions that affect the way they work.
Praise: Fostering a Culture of Recognition
A bit of recognition can do wonders for morale, especially in high-pressure environments like law firms where the work is fast-paced and demanding. The Praise feature on Teams gives you an effortless way to show appreciation for a job well done. It’s like a quick virtual tip of the wig (or gavel) that can brighten someone’s day.
Practical Example: Picture this – a paralegal in your firm has gone above and beyond, working late to prepare court documents on a tight deadline. During your weekly team call, you fire off a Praise badge in Teams to cheer them on. It’s a small act that shows their efforts don’t go unnoticed, and it helps keep team morale high.
Tip: Make it a habit to give praise during team debriefs or after a particularly demanding case. It fosters a supportive culture where hard work is celebrated, even in high-stakes fields.
Shared Channels: Seamless Collaboration Across Teams
When it comes to working across departments in professional services firms, Shared Channels can be a game-changer. Whether you’re juggling client projects or coordinating between audit and consulting teams, Shared Channels keep collaboration smooth and stress-free. No faffing about with disconnected systems – it’s all under one roof.
Practical Example: Say your accounting and consulting teams need to join forces for a client engagement. Setting up a Shared Channel means they can swap updates, share files, and coordinate their schedules in one place. No more “Who has the latest version of the report?” moments or endless email loops.
Tip: Establish clear naming conventions and guidelines for your Shared Channels. For example, set up a channel like “Client_ABC_Project_Team” so everyone knows what the channel is for and can find what they need without digging through a maze.
Loop Components: Real-Time Collaboration
Loop components are your go-to for real-time collaboration, especially in industries like non-profits where teams often juggle multiple funding reports, events, and campaigns. With Loop, you can work together on a document, task list, or set of notes directly within Teams. It’s perfect for teams who love to keep things dynamic and interactive.
Practical Example: Imagine you’re organising a charity event, and the planning team is spread across locations. By dropping a Loop task list into the Teams chat, team members can update the to-do list in real-time. From finalising the guest list to ticking off venue bookings, everyone stays in sync without a single email.
Tip: Experiment with Loop tables if you’re tracking donor engagement or event RSVPs. It’s a great way to keep essential team details updated without relying on spreadsheets and email threads.
Approvals: Streamlining Workflow and Processes
Approvals in Microsoft Teams are a lifesaver for industries like healthcare, where regulatory compliance and tight protocols are the norm. Whether you’re approving patient discharge plans, supply orders, or rotas, Approvals ensures everything is logged and in one place. It’s transparency and organisation in one tidy package.
Practical Example: Picture this – your hospital administrator needs sign-off for ordering new medical equipment. Instead of chasing signatures on paper or wading through a crowded email inbox, they set up an Approval request on Teams. Everything is clear and trackable, ensuring the equipment gets ordered without any unnecessary delays.
Tip: Create templates for recurring requests like rota approvals or policy updates. It speeds up the process and guarantees everything stays consistent, no matter how busy things get in your healthcare organisation.
Bringing It All Together
Microsoft Teams has some brilliant features that can genuinely make your workday easier. Polls, Praise, Shared Channels, Loop components, and Approvals offer simple yet powerful ways to boost collaboration and communication. Here’s how you can make the most of them:
- Train Your Team: Make sure everyone knows what these tools can do and how to use them confidently.
- Try Things Out: Encourage your team to explore and experiment with these features. Sharing tips always helps!
- Check What Works: Regularly review how these tools are being used and tweak as needed to keep things running smoothly.
Need a hand getting started? That’s where Intelliworx steps in. We specialise in helping UK businesses unlock the full potential of Microsoft Teams. From guiding your setup to training your team, we’ll make sure everything’s tailored to how you work best.
Get in touch with Intelliworx today – we’ll help you work smarter with Teams!
