The Power Of Connectivity

As remote and hybrid working become the norm, Microsoft is keeping people connected and businesses running.

A culture of connectivity is vital to every employee. Which features of Microsoft Teams have helped organizations keep their employees connected while working remotely?

Remote work has put an end to the informal meetings and connections that typically occur in an office setting. When COVID-19 forced employees to work from home, the casual corridor discussions, catch ups over coffee, or pre-meeting chatter fell away overnight. There are, however, solutions to this, and in our research, we’ve found that managers hold the key to reconnecting teams.

When managers step in and proactively support employees, individuals experience a stronger connection with colleagues. From our own internal surveys, we found that people who experience a supportive culture and who have a work-life balance and passion for their work, feel more connected. So how can managers ensure these needs are being met? They need to be enablers when it comes to prioritizing and deciding what work is important. With this sense of clarity, team members are more likely to be productive, derive satisfaction from their work, and experience a supportive environment.

By encouraging employees to use Microsoft Teams features and apps, managers can build a more connected remote workplace.

Turning on Together mode in large meetings helps to make attendees more comfortable and attentive. Users have reported a drop in fatigue when Together mode is enabled. Using breakout rooms in large meetings is another Microsoft Teams feature that can help create more personalized connections, increase the exchange of ideas, and encourage lively conversations.

How have Microsoft Teams and other tech tools helped to boost company resilience in the wake of the pandemic and facilitate the shift towards hybrid work? Building resilience in the face of great global change has been a priority for businesses the world over. In the face of global lockdowns, organizations had to adapt quickly to ensure their teams could do their best work from home. Technology was a key enabler in achieving this. Cloud-based apps like Microsoft 365, Teams, and Power BI have enabled business continuity, reduced IT costs, improved security, and given companies a competitive edge.

How is Microsoft Forms helping to increase productivity and how is Microsoft 365 enabling people to stay connected?

Remote work has shifted many of our discussions and conversations online. As a result, connecting and gaining feedback has to be more intentional than ever, with everything done virtually through email and chats. One of the challenges here is keeping track when information and data are being delivered through different channels. This is where Microsoft Forms can prove to be a useful tool. Integrated with Microsoft Teams and the suite of Microsoft 365 products, Microsoft Forms is a customizable feedback tool that allows you to create surveys, polls, and even quizzes. With this tool, we’ve found that people are more likely to answer with more powerful data and insightful responses.