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7 Top Tips on How to Survive O365

Remember the days when a change in IT was of no interest to us as communicators?
In those days you’d barely notice it, bar the odd call to the tech team as you got used to your new laptop or software.

NOW, with the arrival of O365, such detachment is a luxury we can ill afford. Daunting perhaps, because it requires a change of mind-set and a new way of working, but then again that’s what O365 is all about.

In fact, as many companies are now finding out, O365’s positive potential for us as communicators far outweighs the price of being pushed out of our comfort zones.
Here’s some quick tips to help with a successful implementation.

Roadmap

Roadmap

Tip 1: it’s not a project

Adoption of O365 isn’t just a project with a beginning and end date. The day you go live is actually the beginning of the journey proper, not the end.

Tip 2: it’s not an IT change

In fact, it goes far deeper. O365 has the potential to dramatically change the way we work and to increase collaboration and sharing. It’s a change of mind-set that will take a while to embed and it relies on a cultural change across the entire business, something that conventional training can’t fully deliver.

Influencer

Influencer

Tip 3: it’s all about the people

Because people are vital to the success or failure of O365, bringing everyone along for the ride from day one is critical, regardless of their job role. Make sure your communication explains why O365 is being adopted- from the people working on the front line to the CEO. Identify an executive sponsor to explain the benefits and importance of O365. People can be cynical of change, so make sure everyone realises why it will benefit them, the business and customers.

Tip 4: make your communications reflect the difference

O365 is different, so make sure your communications, engagement and training reflects this. Recruit and nurture influential super users or champions, not necessarily using the most obvious tech-savvy people. If you can convince the dubious to champion it, the impact is greater. Let employees drive the adoption rather than taking a top-down approach. Hold engagement events but focus on hands-on collaboration.

Communicating

Communicating


 

Tip 5: be there before and after

A soft launch where the new system runs alongside the old for a few weeks can lessen the jolt of the implementation. Once launched, have floor walkers on hand in the early weeks to offer essential advice and support. Rather than risking employees ‘getting by’ at the start, encourage them to explore the apps and get an idea of their full potential. Encourage feedback at all stages and act on this insight.

Encourage feedback

Encourage feedback

Tip 6: make it manageable

Don’t try to launch too much, too fast. With +28 apps to choose from, a little time spent identifying the priority apps to introduce during the planning phase will ensure users aren’t overwhelmed. Focus on a small number of apps that will deliver the optimum benefit with the least upheaval, and gradually add the more complex ones at a later date.

Tip 7: think strategically 

No doubt strategy was central to your adoption of O365 in the first place, but make sure your implementation (and the apps you choose) has a close link to the company’s strategy. How will O365 make a real, lasting contribution to the values and strategic goals of the business?

 

Use apps

Use apps

Reference:
Dowty, J. (2018). 7 Top Tips on How to Survive O365. AQ internal communication magazine. Available at:  http://aq.sequelgroup.co.uk/aq-magazine-2018-volume-2/o365/ [Accessed 4 April 2018].

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