With any technology advancement, it is important businesses understand, adapt and integrate these innovations effectively. Technological advancements profoundly impact how people behave<\/a>, communicate, work, and live their lives. Work dynamics change, patterns of communication change, the way people consume information can change, and privacy and security policies can change.<\/p>\n For major change to succeed, you need to have a structured process to help people adapt and adopt tomorrow\u2019s new reality. You need to manage the human factor by capturing the hearts and minds of all impacted groups. In doing so, you help the people involved successfully adopt the change presented to them.<\/strong><\/p>\n Adoption is not just about communicating and educating employees to be ready for these advancements. Although these components are critical, adoption and organizational change management<\/a> can also help:<\/p>\n You know you\u2019ve succeeded when impacted groups (employees, customers and vendors) commit to the change \u2013 as quickly as possible \u2013 with minimal business impact and risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to implementing Microsoft 365, it\u2019s no different. Creating awareness is a powerful way to ensure you maximize impact and drive Microsoft 365 adoption in the modern workplace. This has to happen before, during, and even after the roll-out. That means you must proactively establish communication, adoption, and change management strategies.<\/p>\n When it comes to any communication strategy, it\u2019s important you find the right people, the right messages, the right channels, and the right time. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n A good awareness campaign informs, involves and inspires your users, resulting in a much higher adoption rate. Awareness creates the \u201cbuzz\u201d around a new product or technology.<\/p>\n It is important to address change with positive but sensitive messaging that enables users to see the value of the new technology and how they can benefit from using it.<\/p>\n You\u2019re fundamentally changing the technology your employees have come to depend on for their daily work. You may need to spell out the activities you want people to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Create clear, concise statements that reflect these behaviors. Use this content to communicate those messages. Key questions to answer:<\/p>\n Use multiple channels to maximize your results and implement a broad marketing campaign that drives awareness.<\/p>\n The goal is to build a communication plan that stays alive long after your awareness campaign and roll-out ends, so user adoption<\/a> becomes a lifelong company practice.<\/p>\n Identify a team that will champion the change. And determine what that team needs so they can provide informal Microsoft 365 training and support to users in your organization on a peer-to-peer basis.<\/p>\n This type of informal learning community has proven extremely effective in encouraging adoption. This same team will also be vital to your education strategy.<\/p>\n Throughout the roll-out, it\u2019s important to offer employees a way to ask questions or give feedback. Create a feedback and \u201ctriage\u201d team to address these inquiries quickly.<\/p>\n Now that your team knows about the coming change and you\u2019re prepared for future communication needs, it\u2019s time to launch an education initiative.<\/p>\n The first thing you want to do in your Microsoft Office 365 training is tailor your organization\u2019s plans to your specific environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n As in your communication strategy, it\u2019s critical to continue to define what you are trying to accomplish. The vision and underlying reasons for implementing the technology will be key to driving the message of why this change is happening and what the organization can expect.<\/p>\n Identify your areas of resistance and mitigation strategy, solidify the impacts of the technology and management strategy, and ready your user benefits and requirements.<\/p>\n Employee education and adoption is a parallel, integrated work stream that\u2019s essential to the success of your Microsoft 365 technology deployment. Assembling the right team and developing the right education strategy are integral parts of a successful Microsoft 365 technology rollout.<\/p>\n The employee education strategy team will focus on defining, designing, developing, and deploying the Microsoft Office 365 training strategy.<\/p>\n The plan this team develops should include the education and adoption goals, development approach for education needs, and initial delivery strategies, including delivery methods, employee feedback channels, external education tools, and estimates.<\/p>\n Goals should include education and Microsoft 365 adoption for leaders, stakeholders, project teams, champions, help desk teams, and support members in any areas where employees will have initial and ongoing needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n A successful education program will incorporate your company\u2019s culture, specific details about your organization, and your user base.<\/p>\n Like any training initiative, you must also involve key business stakeholders, identify business needs, and provide a strategy to ensure it has a long-term return on your Microsoft 365 technology investment.<\/p>\n Here are some of the roles that can support a successful employee education strategy:<\/p>\n Begin by assessing your organization’s current skill levels and familiarity with Microsoft 365 tools. Identify areas where your teams need additional education.<\/p>\n Consider the different user roles within your organization (for example, end-users, IT administrators, and power users) and their specific Microsoft 365 training requirements.<\/p>\n Define clear and measurable education objectives. What specific skills and competencies do you want your employees to gain from Microsoft 365 training?<\/p>\n Align these objectives with your organization’s broader goals, such as increased productivity, improved collaboration, or enhanced data security.<\/strong><\/p>\n Develop a curriculum that covers all relevant M365 applications and features. Organize content by user roles and skill levels.<\/p>\n Use a mix of education formats, including video tutorials, written documentation, hands-on workshops, and interactive e-learning modules.<\/p>\n\n
Build Awareness Through Communication<\/h2>\n
1. Inspire and drive new behaviors.<\/h3>\n
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2. Plan communication tactics.<\/h3>\n
3. Organize champions.<\/h3>\n
4. Provide open feedback channels.<\/h3>\n
Teach Employees About the New Ways of Working<\/h2>\n
![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/centricconsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MW-Microsoft-Office-Training-Blog-Graphics-Office365Training_11162023-1024x568.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDevelop an Employee Microsoft 365 Training Strategy and Team<\/h2>\n
Build Your Microsoft 365 Training Strategy Team<\/h2>\n
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The Microsoft 365 Employee Education Team To-Dos<\/h2>\n
![\"Microsoft](\"https:\/\/centricconsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MW-Microsoft-Office-Training-Blog-Graphics-Office365TrainingChart_11162023-1024x357.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n1. Assessment and Needs Analysis<\/h3>\n
2. Set Clear Objectives<\/h3>\n
3. Content Development<\/h3>\n