Microsoft 365 (M365) Business Premium delivers more than email, office programs, and cloud storage. Your M365 subscription unlocks a treasure trove of productivity-boosting apps designed to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and empower your professional success.
This guide highlights three hidden gems within your M365 license, exploring powerful tools you might not be using to their full potential. There are scheduling, learning, and communication apps designed to help businesses run more efficiently. It is time to discover the true power lurking beneath the surface of your familiar M365 suite.
Scheduling with Microsoft 365 Bookings
Scheduling appointments can involve tedious emails back and forth while you work to find an open time. This is why many people have turned to scheduling tools like Calendly, Doodle, etc. But what if you could streamline your scheduling with a product that is already part of your M365 ecosystem? Enter Bookings.
Effortless Integration
Bookings leverages your existing work calendar, seamlessly integrating with Outlook. Your availability is always up to date.
Streamlined Workflow
Bookings is easy to set up by following the prompts and allows many customization options. One set-up you can generate a link you can share with anyone, allowing them to view your available time slots and book directly.
Why Bookings is a Strong Contender:
- Centralized Hub: Appointments booked through the scheduling link automatically populate your calendar, eliminating the risk of double bookings.
- Seamless Collaboration: Invite colleagues to meetings directly within Bookings, avoiding scheduling conflicts. Based on your Outlook Calendar a green check mark will appear on options that work with your schedule.
- Customizable Experience: Tailor your scheduling experience. Set buffer times between meetings, define specific bookable hours, and personalize confirmation message.
Bookings might not be the first app that comes to mind for scheduling, but its intuitive integration and powerful features make it a solid option.
Pricing
Included in most M365 licenses. There are premium features such as creating custom forms, integrating with non-Outlook calendars, and branding your booking page that cost an extra $6 per month.
Reviews
Microsoft 365 Bookings excels at streamlining scheduling, making it a perfect fit for teams looking to manage appointments and meetings effectively. However, for businesses requiring highly specialized features or complex workflows, other scheduling software might offer a more tailored solution.
The good news is that Bookings can often replace existing scheduling tools, potentially saving you money. Even if you consider a premium upgrade for Bookings, it can be a cost-effective option compared to standalone scheduling software. We have seen many businesses successfully consolidate their scheduling needs with Bookings, freeing up resources and simplifying their workflows.
Embrace Viva Learning a Powerhouse LMS
Viva Learning can centralize your Learning Management System. Fully integrated with M365 you can create, deliver, and track employee training all in one place.
Here's why Viva Learning can be your one-stop shop for all your training needs:
All-in-One Powerhouse
Viva Learning integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem, including SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive, allowing you to easily create content. The system allows for assigning modules and monitoring progress. It is a great tool for onboarding and other position specific training.
Built-in Authoring Tools
Viva Learning provides intuitive authoring tools within Microsoft applications you already use. Create engaging courses with rich media, quizzes, and interactive elements directly in Word, PowerPoint, and even Stream recordings.
Content Variety
Cater to diverse learning styles. Viva Learning delivers content in a variety of formats – videos, documents, presentations, and even interactive modules. This flexibility ensures everyone on your team can learn effectively, regardless of their preferred learning method.
Actionable Insights
Viva Learning provides in-depth analytics to track learner progress, identify knowledge gaps, and measure the overall impact of your training programs. These insights allow you to continuously improve your learning materials and ensure your team is getting the most out of the training.
Pre-populated Powerhouse
Hit the ground running. Viva Learning offers a library of pre-built training materials on Microsoft products and services. This jumpstarts your training initiatives, saving you valuable time and resources in developing foundational courses. It is also easy to integrate training content from other platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera.
Pricing
A basic version is included with many M365 licenses. This version provides core functionalities: accessing learning content, viewing curated content, and tracking learning progress.
The Premium version offers additional features like assigning learning paths, creating learning channels, and integrating content from external Learning Management Systems (LMS). You will need to purchase a separate Microsoft Viva Learning or Microsoft Viva Suite license to access these premium features. The pricing for these licenses typically starts around $4 per user/per month.
Reviews
Viva Learning is a new addition to the Microsoft suite. While it might not be a traditional LMS in the strictest sense, Viva Learning offers a user-friendly platform for creating, delivering, and tracking employee training. The beauty lies in its simplicity. End-users find it easy to navigate, making the learning experience smooth and engaging.
Even better, the premium version packs a powerful punch. It offers many of the features typically found in traditional LMS platforms, along with the valuable ability to integrate with external educational content. Viva Learning centralizes and streamlines the training process.
Viva: Your Gateway to a Thriving Workplace
In today's dynamic work environment, fostering strong employee communication, clear announcements, and overall well-being is crucial. Microsoft Viva is a powerful tool that addresses these needs by creating a more engaged and productive workforce.
Here's how Viva can transform your company culture:
Communication Reimagined
Viva Connections facilitates creating a central hub that is easily accessible within Teams, where company news, updates, and discussions can be found.
Announcements Amplified
Leaders can craft engaging posts, share stories, and even host virtual town halls – all within the Viva platform. This fosters a sense of community and ensures vital information reaches everyone.
Well-Being Wins
Viva Insights integrates seamlessly with Teams, providing personalized recommendations to help employees manage stress, improve focus, and develop healthy work habits. This focus on well-being not only benefits employees but also translates to increased productivity and engagement.
Seamless Integration
Leveraging the familiar Microsoft Teams environment ensures high adoption rates and ease of use.
Personalized Experience
Viva caters to individual needs. Employees receive targeted information and well-being insights, fostering a sense of connection and value.
Pricing
There is a separate paid offering that unlocks the full potential of Viva modules like Learning, Connections, Engage, and Insights. Pricing typically starts around $6 per user/per month.
Reviews
The reviews of the Viva Suite are generally favorable. Since Viva Suite is a newer offering, it is still evolving. Some reviewers note a lack of certain features compared to established platforms.
Overall, Viva Suite shows promise as a comprehensive employee experience platform. Its tight integration with Microsoft 365 and focus on user-friendliness are key strengths. However, businesses should consider their specific needs and weigh the limitations of the free versions before deciding on a premium license.
Streamlined Workflows
This is just a taste of the possibilities within M365. If you are interested in learning more, look at the Microsoft website and see what is included with your license. M365 is much more powerful than many users realize and can become your one-stop shop for a more streamlined, collaborative, and successful workday.
If you need help taking full advantage of your M365 license, let us help you! We have M365 experts on staff that can help you support your business.
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