Beyond the Feature

In this episode of Beyond the Feature, I explore practical strategies to improve online meetings, emphasizing purpose, roles, and follow-up to maximize productivity and reduce wasted time.

Every meeting needs purpose, people, and output to be effective.

Write a clear purpose in one sentence before scheduling.

Invite only essential participants to save time.

Make decisions visible and record them immediately.

Get the Android app (Apple coming soon!)

#meetings #productivity #workflow #onlinemeetingbestpractices #beyondthefeature

This episode explores the art of prompting in AI, emphasizing how clear communication and structured prompts can significantly improve AI outputs. I share practical formulas and real-world examples to help professionals upgrade their workflow with AI tools.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOE0KN6HCHgZEQBMi8HvrLX-X2VqQQndI

Coupon code for Copilot course at Olympus Academy is BTF for 50% off

https://learn.olympusacademy.net/courses/copilot-for-microsoft-365

#AIprompting #productivity #AIbestpractices #productivitytips #beyondthefeature #microsoft365 #olympusacademy

This episode explores best practices for using project management software like Microsoft Planner to improve team workflows. It emphasizes the importance of treating the tool as a home for project truth, not just a storage space, and provides actionable tips for clarity, ownership, and trust.

Link to our podcast

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOE0KN6HCHgZEQBMi8HvrLX-X2VqQQndI

Microsoft Planner as part of the Microsoft 365 Companion Series

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPGZRB8F

Microsoft Planner course on Olympus Academy (use coupon code BTF for 50% off!)

https://learn.olympusacademy.net/courses/planner

#projectmanagement #MicrosoftPlanner #bestpractices #microsoft365 #auditsolv #BeyondtheFeature #olympusacademy

In this episode I share practical SharePoint best practices for everyday users to reduce chaos, improve collaboration, and ensure data security. Focused on simple habits, these tips help small businesses and nonprofits use SharePoint effectively without technical complexity.

Tag someone who needs to hear this!

https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PLOE0KN6HCHgZEQBMi8HvrLX-X2VqQQndI

#SharePoint #bestpractices #collaboration #productivity #beyondthefeature #microsoft365

In this episode, I interview Jenny Turner, a digital systems and operations leader, who shares her insights on creating effective workflows and systems in organizations. Jenny emphasizes the importance of flexibility in organization, the value of using the right tools, and the necessity of leadership buy-in for successful change management. She discusses her experiences in improving onboarding processes, creating effective dashboards, and learning from past failures. The conversation highlights practical strategies for enhancing productivity and fostering a culture of sustainable change.#workflow #organization #Microsoft 365 #leadership #productivity

In this episode, I discuss the importance of responsible AI in the workplace, emphasizing that AI should be treated as a new coworker rather than just a tool. I outline six key principles of responsible AI: fairness, transparency, accountability, reliability and safety, privacy and security, and inclusiveness. The conversation includes practical examples and a three-check method to ensure responsible AI use, ultimately encouraging listeners to adopt good habits early to prevent future issues. PLUS (added bonus!), we worked with our friends at Olympus Academy for a 50% off coupon for their Responsible AI online course. The coupon code is BTF

https://learn.olympusacademy.net/courses/ResponsibleAI

#ResponsibleAI #workplaceefficiency #AIprinciples #ethicalAI #AI #BeyondtheFeature #olympusacademy

In this episode of Beyond the Feature, I discuss the challenges of using chat tools like Teams for important communication and decision-making. I introduce the 'message to work habit' to help users manage their workflows more effectively by moving important information out of chat and into dedicated workspaces. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a structured environment for decision-making and highlights the role of tools like Copilot in enhancing productivity. I also encourage listeners to reflect on their communication habits and implement strategies for continuous improvement.

In this episode of Beyond the Feature, I discuss the challenges of disorganization in the workplace and introduces the 'Single Source of Truth' rule as a solution. I emphasize the importance of creating a designated home for important work to reduce searching and improve workflow efficiency. The episode outlines practical steps to implement this rule, including the 'Three Homes Model' for organizing projects, files, and tracking tasks. I also highlight the role of tools like Copilot in enhancing productivity once a solid organizational structure is in place.

In this episode, I talk about something we all deal with: meetings that feel productive in the moment but never actually lead to real work afterward. I walk through a simple approach I use called the 24 Hour Rule. The idea is that if a meeting matters, you should come out of it within a day knowing four things: the decision that was made, who owns what, the next step, and where all of it lives so people can find it later.

By the end of the episode, the main message is clear. Meetings should produce work, not more meetings. Try the 24 Hour Rule once and you can feel the difference right away.

In this episode, I break down why Microsoft 365 is more thanjust a collection of apps. I share how it helps with communication, collaboration, productivity, and drives innovation through ongoing workflow improvements. If you found today’s discussion helpful, please share it with someone who always wonders where to find the latest version of a document.