7 Ways to Maximize Microsoft 365 for Enhanced Productivity

As we step into a fresh new year, the pursuit of higher efficiency and a well-oiled workflow takes precedence for organizations big and small. Enter Microsoft 365, a powerhouse suite of tools that’s increasingly indispensable in today’s high-speed, cloud-centric world of work. But here’s the catch: chances are, no matter how much you use Microsoft 365, you’re barely scratching the surface of what it can do.
Let’s dive deep into 7 actionable ways you can maximize Microsoft 365 to not only boost productivity but also to squeeze every ounce of value out of your subscription. Whether you’re managing a bustling corporate environment or simply enhancing your own daily operations, these tips are the cheatsheet to working smarter, not harder.

---

1. Microsoft Teams: Your One-Stop Collaboration Command Center​

Microsoft Teams isn’t just your standard communication tool—it’s an ecosystem for seamless collaboration. By combining chat, meetings, calls, and app integrations, Teams is designed to eliminate the chaos of juggling multiple platforms. Picture this: instead of endless email threads or scattered messaging apps, you curate dedicated channels for projects, each one equipped with shared files, task management apps like Planner or Trello, and even streamlining external business talk via secure Guest Access.
Here’s where it gets even better: Teams’ online meeting capabilities are robust—think real-time collaboration across departments, video conferencing with live captions, and more. Office watercooler chats have gone digital, and Teams is the fountainhead.

Pro Tip:​

Use Federation to securely collaborate with external organizations or clients without outsourcing tasks to less-secure communication apps. Centralize it all in Teams for efficiency.

---

2. Automate Time-Sucking Tasks with Power Automate​

Do repetitive workflows eat away at your valuable time? Enter Power Automate, your personal productivity multiplier. This tool empowers you to create custom workflows for elongated, soul-draining tasks like data entry or email alerts. Need an invoice approval notification sent automatically? Done. Curious if you can auto-upload a client’s data into your CRM? Absolutely.
The automation game isn’t reserved for hardcore techies either. Thanks to its low-code interface, Power Automate allows just about anyone to whip up a flow in no time. The result? Fewer mistakes, shorter task times, and more focus on high-value projects.

---

3. Wrangle Devices Like a Pro with Microsoft Intune​

Managing a fleet of devices—laptops, mobiles, desktops—can quickly become the IT department’s worst nightmare. Enter Microsoft Intune, your one-stop platform for endpoint management. Intune lets you modernize how you manage devices, automating configurations, software updates, and compliance checks.
What sets Intune apart is the integration with Entra ID Conditional Access, ensuring super-granular control over who accesses what and when. Think of it as a 24/7 AI-powered security guard making sure only trusted devices knock on your system’s door.

---

4. Real-Time File Collaboration with OneDrive and SharePoint​

Gone are the days of saving files as “Project_FinalVersion_v2_REALFinal(FINAL)” and emailing them around. With OneDrive for personal secure storage and SharePoint for collaborative team projects, file sharing transforms into a seamless, real-time ballet. Multiple team members can review, update, comment, and edit a single document simultaneously, without stepping on virtual toes. And thanks to version history, nothing is ever truly ‘lost.’
Extend this collaboration-level power by pairing SharePoint with Power Platform. Who needs a full-stack developer when you can build custom apps that interact directly with your documents or workflows?

---

5. Data-Driven Decision Making Courtesy of Microsoft Viva Insight​

We’ve all had those days: there’s a mountain of tasks and no idea how to prioritize. This is where Microsoft Viva Insights becomes your personal productivity coach. Leveraging AI-driven analysis of your daily habits, Viva suggests tweaks for everything from managing focus time to balancing collaboration energy. It’s like a fitness tracker—but for your productivity.
What’s genius? Viva doesn’t just hand you actionable insights; it digs into workplace well-being. For example, it might recommend reducing meetings or carving out quiet time for deep thinking, helping you maintain both your outputs and sanity.

---

6. Boost Productivity with Investment in Training​

Let’s face it: tools can only be as good as the people using them. It’s not uncommon for employees to stick with the bare-bones basics, failing to unlock advanced functionalities simply because they don’t know what’s available. That’s where training and change management come into play.
By investing in ongoing workshops or e-learning like Nasstar’s assessment workshops, organizations can bridge the gap between untapped potential and real usability. A well-trained team leverages advanced tools with full confidence—not to mention, it maximizes your ROI.

Fun Fact:​

Studies consistently show that companies prioritizing training in new tools enjoy up to 50% higher productivity gains compared to those that don’t.

---

7. Maximize ROI with Expert-Led Assessments​

Sometimes, the most effective way to unlock your tools’ potential is through outside expertise. Whether you’re unsure how to integrate certain features or just want to check if you’re underutilizing M365 licenses, a workshop like Nasstar’s “Get More from Microsoft 365 Assessment” can provide tailored feedback.

---

What’s the Big Picture?​

Microsoft 365 is more than Word and Excel—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to simplify and supercharge your workflow. From workflow automation to state-of-the-art collaboration tools, the key to success is digging deeper into its features and leveraging them across all users.
Still not sold? Consider this: stripping hours from repetitive tasks, tightening up device management, and empowering your team through training not only saves time—it saves money. And when productivity meets efficiency, everyone wins.

---

Takeaway Questions for You​

1. How can your team incorporate automation to speed up tasks weighing them down?
2. What Microsoft 365 feature have you yet to explore that could optimize your daily flow?
3. Is your company investing in training that empowers your team to fully utilize all M365 offers?

Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the forum below!

---

Source: Nasstar 7 Ways to Boost Productivity with Microsoft 365