Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM This episode with Michael Plettner explores how organisations move from AI curiosity to practical, business focused implementation. You will learn why user adoption and leadership support matter, how teams shift from generic Copilot use to targeted process improvement, and how the EU AI Act is pushing companies toward more mature and responsible AI practices. 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/793 🎙️What you’ll learn      How to evaluate AI opportunities based on real business value How to move from Copilot centric thinking to case driven AI strategy How leadership buy in affects adoption and trust How to align AI projects with the EU AI Act How agents and agent communication can streamline work ✅ Highlights “User adoption is not training.” “There is often a lack of trust in the business.” “Get off the AI hype and talk about what is really good for the business.” “Sometimes an expectation from customers where they think they understood which tool is the best.” “If someone is not convinced then it is not working.” “We have some railguards to protect how we want to use AI for better good.” “Now we have a more mature thinking about AI.” “Agents are the future from my point of view.” “They can really solve some steps in your daily work.” “The technology in this area is on light speed.” 🧰 Mentioned      Microsoft 365: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365 Microsoft Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app SharePoint: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/sharepoint/collaboration Power Platform: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 ✅ Keywords       ai, copilot, user adoption, business processes, microsoft 365, teams, sharepoint, power platform, dynamics, eu ai act, agents, change management Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM John Rood shares how organisations can unlock real value from AI by balancing innovation, governance, and compliance. Learn why robust frameworks, practical training, and a bottom-up approach are key to sustainable AI adoption and risk management. 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/792 🎙️ What you’ll learn  How to implement effective AI governance without stifling innovation Practical steps for building an AI management system The role of ISO 42001 and the EU AI Act in compliance Strategies to drive AI adoption and avoid shadow AI How to design ongoing AI literacy programmes for all staff  ✅ Highlights “A poorly designed policy, I think, does stifle innovation. I think a well-conceived policy manages that trade-off.” “Shadow AI happens because organisations go buy an AI product and then lock it down.” “Our first recommendation… is that you’ve got to have someone to champion AI initiatives.” “Most organisations will start either from ISO 42001, or… the NIST AI risk management framework.” “The idea is we’re not just trying to put together a set of policies… What we’re trying to create is a living process.” “A great AI management system defines who has to get trained in what, and then make sure that actually happens on a regular basis.” “If your customers knew how you treat their data, they might not be your customers anymore.” “The top-down programmes tend to go poorly, whereas the… bottom-up programmes tend to do much better.” “When we are able to empower more people… we start to build the organisation’s muscle.” “The first step… is always regulatory.” “EU AI Act is written… to be extraordinarily broad.” “At the top of the pyramid, there’s a certain set of fairly robust training or literacy requirements that should be for whoever’s actually making the AI.” 🧰 Mentioned ISO 42001: https://www.iso.org/standard/42001  EU AI Act: https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/the-act/  NIST AI risk management framework: https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework  GDPR: https://gdpr.eu/ ✅Keywords ai governance, iso 42001, eu ai act, compliance, shadow ai, risk management, ai management system, ai literacy, bottom-up adoption, regulatory, data privacy, nist framework Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  This episode explores practical ways to drive Copilot adoption across an organisation. Heather Severino shares clear guidance on identifying early champions, building cross functional readiness, reducing resistance, and designing effective training. She explains how tools such as Loop, Teams, Clipchamp and Copilot features support collaboration, productivity and engagement. The conversation provides a grounded look at how to help teams build confidence with AI and create sustained, secure and well supported usage.🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/791👉 What you’ll learn       How to identify early adopters who accelerate Copilot uptake How to design training that builds confidence and practical skills How to prepare IT and support teams for Copilot readiness How to use questioning techniques to uncover high value use cases How to support teams with tools like Loop, Teams and Clipchamp ✅ Highlights      “You want to find the people that are curious about it.” “Success to me is that they’re using it, looking at those reports.” “We want to come up with a policy for usage and have some of those guardrails in place.” “They wanted to have everything in place before they did it.” “Find the people that are curious about anything that is cutting edge.” “Those are usually the people that are going to want to dig in and learn.” “I am getting more questions about agents recently.” “The facilitator agent is also great about keeping you on track.” “There is some confusion about OneNote and Loop.” “I would love to see more crossover and uniformity.” “Create was one of those aha moments.” “Clipchamp has a lot of the AI capabilities built into it.” 🧰 Mentioned       Microsoft 365 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365 Copilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/ LinkedIn Learning - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/ Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 ✅ Keywords     copilot, adoption, microsoft 365, loop, onenote, teams, clipchamp, training, ai skills, power platform, productivity, change management Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  Discover practical strategies with Dan Barber for overcoming imposter syndrome, building resilient tech teams, and leveraging AI as an ally. Learn how consulting skills, clear goals, and supportive cultures drive success in technology and AI-driven environments.👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/790 🎙️ What you’ll learn   Apply actionable tools to overcome imposter syndrome Build and retain high-performing technology teams Use AI to boost confidence and productivity Strengthen consulting skills for business impact Foster cultures of trust, feedback, and continuous improvement ✅ Highlights “AI can help you with a blank canvas and turn a blank canvas into a starter for 10th, and get you moving, get you motivating, break that blank page sort of fear and anxiety that gets built up.”  “Brag list is something I do myself and I also encourage others to do.” “You develop this network where you don’t have to be the font of all knowledge.” “Having that sensible conversation, I think we are losing that.” “You’re not just a developer. You are a consultant.” “If you don’t feel, if you feel like you’re just being managed, again, that just becomes you being a number again.”  “Build the right culture, you have that mentality from everyone.” “If you have them all, it’s not going to make you motivated. It’s just going to bring you to break even, if you like.”  “You’ve got to look at some of these other variables and they are, they’re so important, you know, and yes, they take time.”  “Let’s rebuild your vision. Let’s realign to your vision.” 🧰 Mentioned Microsoft Power Platform: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform  Azure: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us  Dynamics: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us  Business Central: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics-365/products/business-central  Copilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com/  ✅Keywords   ai, imposter syndrome, consulting skills, tech teams, power platform, business central, azure, dynamics, copilot, culture, feedback, continuous improvement Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  Explore how Andy Sitison uses AI-powered storytelling to uncover hidden patterns, build trust, and drive meaningful engagement. Learn why human connection, agility, and intent are essential for businesses navigating rapid technological change. Gain practical insights from Andy on leveraging AI as a creative tool and fostering a culture of trust and adaptability.  👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/789  🎙️ What you’ll learn  Identify actionable ways to use AI for analysing customer stories Build trust and engagement through authentic storytelling Apply agility and intent to stay ahead in tech-driven markets Develop internal AI skills and centres of excellence Move beyond traditional advertising to foster genuine community connection ✅ Highlights “We explore real-world AI applications, share practical insights, and discuss how businesses are implementing responsible, ethical, and trustworthy AI.” “We help them find the signal in the noise… AI allows us to find those unique patterns.” “Giving them the voice itself is important.” “Stories are more primitive… there’s a natural imprinting on us that does that.” “Telling a human, bringing a story to the table is going to naturally connect with humans.” “Tech is one of those things we need to ride like a surfboard.” “Companies should consider… planet, society, economy.” “Trust is a heck of a sales tool. If you can find a way to help people trust you and your brand, genuinely trust it, it’s gold.” “First thing for companies to do to tell a better story of their customers is look internal with these technologies to make their team better.” “People are tired of ads. Your ads don’t work.” 🧰 Mentioned Machine learning - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/create-machine-learn-models/  Generative AI - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/playbook/technology-guidance/generative-ai/  Center of excellence model - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/overview  ✅Keywords ai, storytelling, business, technology, trust, agility, customer engagement, centre of excellence, community, human connection, brand, creative tool Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  Discover how organisations are building practical AI capability with Microsoft Copilot, Zero Trust, and robust data security. Learn actionable strategies for readiness, compliance, and continuous professional development in a rapidly evolving tech landscape featuring insights from Sam Brazier-Hollins.🎙️ Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/788👉 What you’ll learn     Assess Copilot readiness and secure sensitive data before deployment Apply Zero Trust principles and simplify data labelling for real-world use Use Copilot to streamline meetings, notes, and executive summaries Identify and address over-shared information risks in M365 Build a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing in tech teams ✅ Highlights     “We call it a M365 Copilot readiness assessment, where we go and look at your data.” “Zero Trust is a great one. It spikes up every sort of year.” “Data labelling is really key. Keep it simple so users don’t overthink.” “Copilot is so powerful at finding information that’s been lost somewhere.” “Mandatory labelling: before you can hit save, you have to enforce it there.” “Meeting recordings and Teams notes - Copilot can summarise, give action items, and minutes.” “The value of having this licence is we’ve saved 2 man hours of this consultant.” “Security Copilot is really good at certain use cases. Some predefined ones work exactly as they say on the tin.” “Continuous professional development - can’t just rely on what you knew last month or last year.” “The best person in the team isn’t the person who’s got the most information. It’s the person who’s best at sharing.” “Microsoft’s changing those things, they’re now disabling basic authentication, great.” “It’s constantly changing and there’s a bit of that sort of almost gamification of it.”  🧰 Mentioned     Microsoft 365 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365 Microsoft Copilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/ Purview - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/microsoft-purview Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 ✅ Keywords      copilot, zero trust, data labelling, security, microsoft 365, purview, compliance, teams, sharepoint online, professional development, knowledge sharing, australian government Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM A practical discussion with Mary Pantelopoulou on quantifying and realising business value from AI and low code, using the Business Value Assessment to tie Power Platform, M365 Copilot, and autonomous agents to top‑line growth, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and redesigned processes that free people to focus on higher‑value work. 👉️ Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/787 🎙️ What you’ll learn  Frame AI investments with a clear business value model tied to strategic objectives Identify and quantify use cases using benchmarks and customer scenarios Move beyond time savings to decisions on how freed time is used Rethink processes for AI, not just automate existing steps Apply autonomous agents to transform CRM/ERP into intelligent platforms  ✅ Highlights  “It feels like when the internet was introduced… a big disruptive thing.” “Our focus is business applications, Power Platform, and recently M365 Copilot.” “We help customers quantify: if I’m spending $1, how much am I getting in return?” “We use our own technology—customer zero—to benchmark and quantify value.” “What do you actually do with this time… that’s the most interesting.” “Think about your processes, but rethink them.” “AI is becoming the backbone of our modern business applications.” “We’ve brought modern work and business applications together in a team called ABS.” “Pre‑built autonomous agents in sales, service, finance, supply chain, and customer insights.” “Traditional CRM and ERP are transformed into intelligent platforms.”  🧰 Mentioned Business Value Assessment (BVA) tool - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/coe/business-value-toolkit Power Platform - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform M365 Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot Agents / autonomous agents - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2024/10/21/new-autonomous-agents-scale-your-team-like-never-before/ Customer zero - https://www.microsoft.com/insidetrack/blog/inside-microsoft-being-customer-zero-in-an-ai-powered-world/ Contact center productivity - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics-365/products/contact-center ✅Keywords ai, power platform, business value assessment, m365 copilot, autonomous agents, crm, erp, productivity, one microsoft, finance, contact center, low‑code Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  This episode explores how AI is transforming hiring, reducing bias, and helping businesses reliably identify A players. Fletcher Wimbush shares practical steps for using AI to streamline job analysis, screening, assessments, and onboarding, giving small and mid sized businesses access to talent strategies once reserved for large enterprises. 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/786     🎙️ What you’ll learn  How AI accelerates fact driven hiring How CEOs can attract top talent through direct outreach How to design effective screener questions with AI How assessments surface high potential candidates How AI enabled systems cut time to offer ✅ Highlights "It starts with having a great team." "AI came along and we were able to take that entire process and accelerate the timeframe." "A lot of hiring can be done almost completely on automatic using AI." "AI is way less biased than the human." "Ask some really well worded multiple choice questions that AI created for us." "It eliminated 90 percent of those applicants right off the bat because they've self selected." "Assessments do a phenomenal job of bringing the people with the right integrity and behavioural makeup to the surface." "I almost never hire anybody with direct experience." "We built the system from an AI lens." "We onboard folks and get them up and running almost instantly." "Hiring is mostly going to be automated in the next five years." "The people who really embrace that are going to be the architects driving results." 🧰 Mentioned The FACT Driven Hiring System eLearning Course - https://discovered.ai/hiring-academy/  Discovered - https://www.discovered.ai Y Combinator -  https://www.ycombinator.comHiring Expert GPT - https://chatgpt.com/g/g-ves0BxHrx-hiring-expert✅Keywords ai hiring, recruitment, assessments, a players, smb hiring, job analysis, screening, onboarding, bias reduction, automation, talent strategy, ceo outreach Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Neil Fluester, a unified communications expert and the head of Logitech for business, shares his insights on elevating hybrid work. He discusses the transformation of Copilot from a basic task engine into an enhancement tool for workflows. Neil emphasizes the importance of thoughtful workspace design, including webcams, lighting, and teleprompters, to enhance meeting presence. He also explores how transcription and translation capabilities are reshaping collaboration, and he dives into home automation, revealing how smart setups can streamline daily routines.

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  This episode explores how professionals in the Power Platform and Dynamics space can future‑proof their careers. Sarah Jones and Franco Musso share practical guidance on contracting, freelancing, niching, personal brand development, and navigating rapid change driven by AI. Their insights focus on building career security, creating flexibility, and designing work that supports long‑term growth. 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/784 🎙️ What you’ll learn   How to transition from permanent roles to contracting and freelancing How to design a flexible work model that supports income and lifestyle goals How to build a personal brand that attracts clients How to niche effectively to strengthen positioning How AI and market shifts are reshaping job security and opportunity ✅ Highlights “You're expected to be with the same customer Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.” “I designed my work year. I can dictate what my day looks like.” “That freedom is quite special.” “It's about the value that you put on walking the kids to school together.” “It's whatever you choose it to be.” “People in permanent jobs are scared to leave their permanent job that they feel is secure.” “If you've got the chance now to get involved with the change, then do it.” “There's a powerful but limited window now for people in the business that are interested in the tech.” “You could be the absolute superstar in accounting AI.” “Selling to an existing customer is said to be 7 times cheaper.” “This gives 6 to 12 months runway for those people who might be thinking about it.” “The phenomenon of AI is coming.” 🧰 Mentioned Microsoft Power Platform https://powerplatform.microsoft.com/ Dynamics 365 https://dynamics.microsoft.com/ Power Pages https://powerpages.microsoft.com/ Scottish Summit https://scottishsummit.com/ ✅Keywords   power platform, dynamics 365, freelancing, contracting, ai, job security, personal brand, niching, career change, Microsoft, power pages, mentoring Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith