Tuesday's Tip #13: Working Virtually with Microsoft Teams - 5 Thing you probably didn't know!

Working Virtually with Microsoft Teams

You learned some basics about Microsoft Teams in my last Tuesday's Tip. This week I'd like to highlight some features that might be ESPECIALLY useful in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic. With such a huge number of us now working from home not necessarily as a convenience or occasionally but everyday, indefinitely and as a requirement. 

5 Things you didn't know you could do in Microsoft Teams...

I'm going to highlight 5 fun and useful things you can do in or with Microsoft Teams while we all navigate this "New Normal" while we work remotely.

#1: Did you know...You can add people that aren't in your organization to your Team?

If you are working with vendors or subcontractors, you can create a Team where you can share files as well as do video calls and share white boards and wikis. 

Tip: When everyone is used to connecting in an office, doing a video call can be very satisfying for checking in and feeling more connected as we all practice social distancing.

#2: Did you know...You can use Teams to chat and do mentions using the @ symbol like you do in social media and it automatically saves it so you don't have to send emails.

When so many of us are working virtually, there tends to be more communication via email than usual. We are possibly emailing more especially to people that we would normally talk to in our office. Microsoft Teams allows us to use Chat instead of email. The really cool thing about using Chat in Teams is the new feature called, persistent chat. This simply means, it saves our chats and we can do them in a team and not clog up our inbox.

Also - you can chat within a team - meaning all the team members will be included in the chat and be able to see the chat anytime. This is saved and intiated in the team. OR, you can chat individually with someone - meaning you initiate it in the "chat" area and it's saved and viewed there.

Tip: Setup a team including people you normally talk to in your office and practice using the chat instead of sending 1 and 2 line emails.

#3: Did you know...Microsoft Teams is FREE?

If you don't have a great way to virtually connect with the people you work with - whether you are a one employee business or a 5,000 - you can use Microsoft Teams. Many businesses already have Teams as part of their Office 365 subscription but if you don't, you can still use the free version.

Tip: Maybe connecting virtually and using features like video calls hasn't been something you've needed in the past. Microsoft Teams is a great free product and even if you don't need it for work - consider it as a tool to connect with people personally.

#4: Did you know...You can schedule a meeting in Microsoft Teams and link it to a channel?

With more people working at home - you will likely need to have more meetings. It's also a good idea to schedule check-in's with people you work closely with. It's easier to miscommunicate and misinterpret texts and emails. Scheduling video meetings to check in personally is even more important now. The day to day uncertainty weighs on us all differently. Some of us have stressors at home we aren't used to and some of us are adjusting to a house full of people working and going to school and others are isolated and lonely. No matter what people's "new normal" looks like, it's probably different and stressful in it's own right. Checking in personally with a quick video call can really help you stay connected on both a personal level and be more productive professionally.

Tip: If you're a manager - take the initiative to schedule a weekly 10 minute "coffee talk" video call. Ask how people are personally. If you're manager hasn't done this - take the lead and schedule a weekly recurring video call to touch-base.

#5: Did you know...You can install Microsoft Teams on your phone or tablet and use it and view the same information in those apps as well as attend meetings and video conferences. 

With all of us navigating the new normal due to the pandemic, we are constantly adjusting. Some of us are sharing work spaces and even devices with kids taking online classes. One flexibility Microsoft Teams allows is to be able to take and make these video calls and meetings on our phones. The Teams app allows us this flexibility.

Tip: Install the app on your phone and consider taking some of your touch base video meetings on your phone for a little more casual and personal way to check in with each other.

 Take advantage of Microsoft Teams.

Educators: Microsoft Teams can be setup for your school for FREE!