The Intelligence Age

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/756
 
AI is transforming how businesses use data, but most are still stuck with outdated models. In this episode, Brian Perks shares how to unlock high-impact insights by shifting from fragmented data to identity-driven ecosystems. Learn how to optimise your ideal customer profile, reduce waste, and build scalable, AI-powered sales strategies. 

🎙️ What you’ll learn 

• How to eliminate low-value data and focus on high-conversion targets 
• Why identity-based data is critical for fraud prevention and sales activation 
• How to optimise your ICP for repeatable, scalable growth 
• What LinkedIn advertising gets wrong—and how to fix it 
• How startups can access enterprise-grade data tools 

✅ Highlights 

• “We are making the data available to the platform in its entirety.” 
• “You only want the sales, the marketers, the people that are going to buy your products.” 
• “Companies using 5x5 data have customers that essentially stay forever.” 
• “AI cannot spontaneously generate your email address or mobile number.” 
• “We act as the barometer to let you into the room and see the digital universe.” 
• “LinkedIn has been your professional resume. It is not Facebook for business.” 
• “Most companies don’t run the kind of analytic to understand their soft costs.” 
• “IP-based ABM marketing hits every device on that IP—you’re paying for all of them.” 
• “Small companies no longer have to be in the data business first to build data-enabled products.” 
• “AI models still depend on human journalistic research.” 
• “Publishers are getting scraped 1000 times per visitor under fair use.” 
• “We’re going to need AI shepherds to verify and validate output.” 

🧰 Mentioned 

• LinkedIn Sales Navigator: https://business.linkedin.com/sales-solutions/sales-navigator 
• CloudFlare - https://www.cloudflare.com  
• Claude - https://claude.ai 
• Xandr (Microsoft Advertising): https://www.xandr.com 

✅Keywords 
ai sales, identity data, fraud prevention, data licensing, linkedin advertising, b2b marketing, ideal customer profile, sales activation, publishing models, audience extension, data utility, generative ai 

If 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

Amanda Sterner shares practical insights on how Microsoft Loop and Copilot are reshaping collaboration, productivity, and digital adoption. From overcoming tool resistance to driving change through Champions programs, this episode offers actionable strategies for tech professionals navigating modern workplace transformation.

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/755 
 
🎙️ What you’ll learn 

• How Loop enhances personal and collaborative workflows 
• Ways Copilot unlocks value in underused Microsoft 365 apps 
• Why fast, iterative cloud innovation beats slow release cycles 
• How to build effective Champions programs for tech adoption 
• What blocks Copilot adoption—and how to overcome it 

 ✅ Highlights 

• “Loop came. It looks beautiful. I was hooked immediately.” 
• “I want to be able to use it when I don’t have Wi-Fi.” 
• “Copilot can help us in apps we’re not used to working with.” 
• “I hate Excel. But now I’m a very average user of Excel.” 
• “Copilot fixes it for me, or at least points me in a direction.” 
• “Copilot makes so ugly things.” 
• “Champions is the most flexible, price-worthy way of driving change.” 
• “You don’t need lurkers. You need people who want to be champions.” 
• “Change doesn’t magically happen by itself.” 
• “It’s not just saving your files in the cloud—it’s how you work.” 
• “If people don’t want to put the time on it, remove their licence.” 

🧰 Mentioned    

• Microsoft Loop - Microsoft Loop: Collaborative App | Microsoft 365 
• Microsoft Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot  
• Microsoft 365 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365  
• Microsoft MVP YouTube Series: How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 

✅ Keywords   
copilot, loop, microsoft 365, champions program, productivity, collaboration, excel, powerpoint, cloud, digital adoption, employee experience, ai tools

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/CopilotAdoption

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/754

How to use AI to structure thinking, surface blind spots, and move through complex problems. Meg and Mark show practical patterns: building mental models, running thinking-hat challenges to cut confirmation bias, using AI as a thought partner, debugging code and page issues, automating inbox and workflows, role-playing hard conversations, and rapid research. They share personal wins from branding decisions to rescuing a bee swarm. The episode closes by flagging next week’s focus on ethical decision making and safety.

Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz

🎙️ What you’ll learn

• Use AI to build and test mental models that expose blind spots.
• Run thinking-hat challenges to counter confirmation bias.
• Treat AI as a thought partner to frame better questions and choices.
• Diagnose code and page layout issues fast, then move to fixes.
• Design inbox and workflow automations with Copilot and Power Automate.

✅Highlights

• “How can we use AI to help us solve problems.”
• “AI is not gonna take our jobs, but greedy capitalist will.”
• “We are living in this world that is trying to polarize us all the time.”
• “I like the concept of mental models.”
• “I’m going to ask my dumbest question.”
• “I’m waking up and within three minutes of inbox, it’s empty again.”
• “I’ve got AI. I don’t need to call anybody.”

🧰Mentioned

• Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Thinking_Hats
• Zenler https://www.newzenler.com/invite/aeLVdH
• Recipetineats https://www.recipetineats.com/

Connect with the hosts

Mark Smith:  
Blog https://www.nz365guy.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy

Meg Smith:  
Blog https://www.megsmith.nz
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/megsmithnz

Support the show

Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who wants to be future ready. Drop your questions in the comments or the WhatsApp group, and we may feature them in an upcoming episode.

✅Keywords:  
ai, mental models, problem solving, strategic thinking, copilot, power automate, code reviewing, confirmation bias, six thinking hats, ethical decision making, chatgpt, beekeeping 

If 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 

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/753 
 
AI adoption starts with data readiness. Yatindra Ranpura shares a practical framework for deploying Copilot successfully, including how to clean legacy systems, measure adoption, and align with regulations like GDPR and the EU AI Act. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and build a resilient, scalable AI strategy. 

🎙️ What you’ll learn 

• How to prepare your data for Copilot and AI tools 
• A 3-step framework for successful AI adoption 
• Ways to identify and remove ROT (redundant, obsolete, trivial) data 
• How to align AI rollouts with GDPR and the EU AI Act 
• Techniques for measuring sentiment and adoption across teams 

✅ Highlights 

• “Data quality is a super important topic.” 
• “Establishing the correct guardrails of any Copilot release is fundamental.” 
• “If you don’t need it, you should get rid of it.” 
• “ROT data means you can really focus on what is the key thing.” 
• “We discovered the most popular file was the restaurant menu.” 
• “You want to get something done rapidly, but pull in the right parts of the business.” 
• “GDPR and the EU AI Act are super important.” 
• “You can measure sentiment without needing a formal survey.” 
• “We realised there were three copies of the same information going around.” 
• “Some organisations aren’t even prepared.” 
• “You’ve got to make sure you’ve packed properly.” 
• “We help restructure and break down huge icebergs into smaller ones.” 

🧰 Mentioned 

• Microsoft Copilot - Enjoy an AI Assistant Anywhere with Copilot for PC, Mac, Mobile, and More | Microsoft Copilot 
• Office 365 - Microsoft 365 - Subscription for Productivity Apps | Microsoft 365 
• SharePoint - Safely Collaborate and Share Content | Microsoft SharePoint 

✅Keywords 
copilot, ai adoption, data quality, office 365, sharepoint, gdpr, eu ai act, rot data, sentiment analysis, power platform, data governance, legacy systems 

If 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

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/752

Jared Matfess shares his journey from aerospace to Microsoft MVP, navigating burnout, rediscovering purpose, and diving deep into Microsoft Copilot Studio. With a passion for simplifying complex tech, Jared explains how he helps professionals understand and apply AI tools in real-world enterprise settings. 

🎙️ What you’ll learn     

• How to simplify complex AI tools for business users 
• Lessons from implementing SharePoint under strict compliance 
• Strategies for recovering from professional burnout 
• How to approach writing and publishing a tech book 
• Practical use cases for Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio 

✅ Highlights   

• “I found myself having to become a pseudo data security expert really fast.” 
• “Anybody can share their story.” 
• “It felt so good helping other people that I kind of got like that little high.” 
• “I hit the wall hard. I had a hard time getting out of bed.” 
• “Copilot to me was actually a huge catalyst for that.” 
• “They're literally attacking us with Copilots.” 
• “How do you keep up with the Copilots?” 
• “I like to say I’m a Jared of all trades.” 
• “I wrote chapter 14 with having no Copilot Studio experience.” 
• “Microsoft pushed an update, broke everything.” 
• “It was a fun and stressful time being a solo author on an ever-changing book.” 
• “The village kind of lifted me up, which was a pretty cool feeling.” 

🧰 Mentioned    

• Microsoft Copilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/  
• Microsoft Copilot Studio - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/microsoft-copilot-studio/  
• M365 Copilot at Work (Book on Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-365-Copilot-At-Work/dp/1394258372  
• Sharepoint 2010 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/previous-versions/microsoft-sharepoint-2010  
• Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 

✅ Keywords   
microsoft copilot, copilot studio, sharepoint, ai skills, burnout recovery, enterprise tech, mvp program, data security, power automate, crm integration, tech storytelling, book writing 

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

👉Full Show notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/751

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

Humans need sharper collaboration and delegation to work with AI agents as digital labour. The episode maps how to brief agents with clear goals, definition of done, checkpoints, and feedback loops, and when to keep humans in the loop by risk. Expect interfaces like Microsoft Teams surfacing agent actions while BPM and process mining reshape workflows. The hosts weigh responsibility, repeatability, and trust, noting variability in large language models and law such as the EU AI Act. Practical exercises and consumer examples show how to build these skills now.

Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz

🎙️ What you’ll learn

• Define goals, constraints, and a clear definition of done for agent tasks.
• Set feedback loops, checkpoints, and timeframes to prevent rework.
• Calibrate human-in-the-loop oversight by risk tier and impact.
• Use BPM and process mining to prepare and optimise workflows for agents.
• Practise explicit, testable instructions to improve delegation and collaboration.

✅Highlights

• “what are the human skills that we need to learn to work with AI better.”
• “software-based labor that partners with humans on specific processes.”
• “We can't be future-proofed anymore. The best we can hope for is future ready.”
• “delegation being an important skill for people who are going to be working with and instructing agents to do tasks.”
• “I think that the human to human collaboration is going to be such an important part.”
• “What does the definition of done look like?”
• “Parkinson's Law states that you will stretch out the completion of your task until they fill the time available to complete them.”
• “how should responsibility be managed when these agents make mistakes?”
• “communication happens at the listener's ear, not at the speaker's mouth.”

🧰 Mentioned

• Business Process Management (BPM) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_management
• Bon Appétit YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpMy0Fg74eXXkvxJrtEn3w
• Lisa Crosbie YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/lisacrosbie
• Parkinson's Law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
• The Four Hour Work Week https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_4-Hour_Workweek

Connect with the hosts

Mark Smith:  
Blog https://www.nz365guy.com
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy

Meg Smith:  
Blog https://www.megsmith.nz
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/megsmithnz

Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who wants to be future ready. Drop your questions in the comments or the WhatsApp group, and we may feature them in an upcoming episode.

If 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 

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/750

Andrew Wingate shares practical insights on building applied AI capability, managing change, and leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform, especially Business Central, for scalable, efficient business solutions. From blogging and video editing to ISV ecosystems and AI agents, this episode is packed with real-world strategies for tech professionals.

🎙️ What you’ll learn   

• Use AI to accelerate research, writing, and data analysis 
• Build scalable content workflows with tools like Clipchamp and CapCut 
• Evaluate and integrate ISV solutions for Business Central 
• Apply change management strategies in tech projects 
• Optimise cloud storage and backup for business continuity 

✅ Highlights 

• “I use AI every day to start, support, or finish tasks.” 
• “Clipchamp lets me edit fast with templates and assets.” 
• “CapCut created a polished video in 30 seconds.” 
• “Business Central has nearly 7,000 apps on AppSource.” 
• “Successful ISVs make partners look good.” 
• “You’ve got to build trust—honesty is essential.” 
• “I’ve Googled a problem and found my own blog post.” 
• “AI helps me find market share data and visualise it.” 
• “The real go-live should be boring—everything’s tested.” 
• “If it’s not backed up in two places, it doesn’t exist.” 
• “I use Audible on walks to recharge and learn.” 
• “AI is starting to influence how I speak in real life.” 

🧰 Mentioned 

• Microsoft AppSource (Business Central apps): appsource.microsoft.com 
• Clipchamp (Microsoft video editor): clipchamp.com 
• CapCut (AI-powered video editor): capcut.com 
• Synology NAS (cloud storage solutions): synology.com  

✅ Keywords 
ai productivity, business central, microsoft power platform, isv ecosystem, clipchamp, capcut, automation tools, copilot studio, appsource, change management, synology nas, oneDrive 

If 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

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/749  
 
Founder Colin McIntosh shares how he built a consumer brand from scratch and launched a free AI-powered resume builder helping thousands navigate a shifting job market. This episode explores the future of work, the rise of solopreneurs, and how AI is reshaping hiring, branding, and business strategy. 

🎙️ What you’ll learn 

• Use AI to optimise resumes and improve job search outcomes 
• Build a brand identity map to guide consistent messaging 
• Navigate AI-driven hiring systems with human-first strategies 
• Scale impressions and conversions in consumer marketing 
• Prepare for a solopreneur future with AI as leverage 

✅ Highlights 

• “I give it away for free to anyone who can't afford it.” 
• “AI won’t take your job, but a capitalist will.” 
• “I realised I’m building a company for people like me.” 
• “We sold $300,000 of pre-orders before shipping a single unit.” 
• “You can’t fake a different brand voice.” 
• “I used to pay $250,000 a year for customer care. Now it’s $26,000.” 
• “People are stuck in stasis—six, nine, 12-month job searches.” 
• “300,000 government workers laid off with no warning.” 
• “Capital can now unlock creativity, scale, and product development.” 
• “I created landing pages that spoke in the voice of the podcast.” 
• “My free resume template’s been used a few million times.” 
• “I think it’ll be a golden era for solopreneurs.” 

🧰 Mentioned 

• Sheets and Giggles - https://sheetsgiggles.com/en-ca  
• Sheets Resume -  https://sheetsresume.com/ 
• Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/
• Techstars - https://www.techstars.com/ 

✅Keywords 
ai resume builder, tech layoffs, solopreneur, brand identity, consumer marketing, job search, sustainable business, lyocell sheets, recruiting tools, impressions strategy, resume optimization, startup growth 

If 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
   
👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/748

Joy Apple shares practical insights on Copilot adoption, governance, and information architecture. She explains how foundational data practices directly impact AI effectiveness, and why adoption must be intentional to succeed. A warm, expert conversation on making AI work in real-world business environments.

🎙️ What you’ll learn     

• How to structure information for effective Copilot use 
• Why governance is critical for successful AI adoption 
• The risks of oversharing and undersharing in data environments 
• How metadata improves findability and automation 
• Why IT-business relationships shape technology success 

✅ Highlights   

• “It’s governance rebranded.” 
• “The M365 world is built to be flat- that’s where all the goodness happens.” 
• “Copilot was like, sorry about you, no.” 
• “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” 
• “Under sharing means I’m not getting all the data I need.” 
• “Productivity means less friction for the employee.” 
• “I never met a data I didn’t like.” 
• “Copilot will catch up.” 
• “Thank you Microsoft for including SharePoint Advanced Management with the Copilot license.” 
• “Adoption means the needs of my employees are being met.” 
• “Brenda is amazing at Excel - it’s not her job to be a Microsoft 365 expert.” 
• “The relationship between IT and the business is critical.” 

🧰 Mentioned   

• Viva Suite: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-viva 
• Viva Learn: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-viva/learning 
• 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, governance, sharepoint, metadata, microsoft 365, adoption, information architecture, purview, teams, viva, oversharing, productivity 

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

🔴 For full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/747 

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

Personal automation that works now. Real examples beat agent hype: observe tasks, optimise setup, and automate recurring work. Scheduling with ICS, daily briefs, shopping lists, and one-off searches show clear time savings and control.

Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz

🎙️ What you’ll learn

• Spot hype and choose automations that save setup time.
• Use observation and RPA-style recording to find repeatable tasks.
• Build simple, personal apps for health and routines.
• Auto-schedule learning, news, and entertainment with ICS and prompts.
• Aggregate niche purchases and compare options without bias.

✅Highlights

• "we're in agent slop land"
• "they require me to do a whole bunch of work to save myself a whole bunch of time."
• "It should save me time and that's the time to set it up as well."
• "an alongside helper that's always looking at how it can make my life more friction free"
• "that requires you to give over a lot of control"
• "I built an app that allows me to carry out my fasting"
• "AI is going to allow people to build the TikTok themselves"
• "created ICS files for three to four sessions a week"

🧰 Mentioned

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
• Signal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Foundation
• Meredith Whitaker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Whittaker
• Rebel Finance School https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/
• Kimi https://www.kimi.com/en/

👉 Connect with the hosts

Mark Smith:  
Blog: https://www.nz365guy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy

Meg Smith:  
Blog: https://www.megsmith.nz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megsmithnz

Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who wants to be future ready. Drop your questions in the comments or the WhatsApp group, and we may feature them in an upcoming episode.

✅Keywords: 
personal automation, agents, rpa, observation, fasting app, kimi, gemini, ics files, camper van search, news brief, scheduling, privacy, perplexity, whatsapp 

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith