Making the Most of Your Microsoft Teams Investment
Quick Wins, Tips & Time-Saving Features
Microsoft Teams has become a mainstay for workplace collaboration, especially for regulated financial services firms where secure communication, efficient workflows and compliance are crucial. But are you truly getting the most out of your investment?
At Resolution IT, we help businesses across Guernsey, Jersey and Dubai unlock the full potential of Microsoft Teams. Here’s how your team can maximise productivity, streamline collaboration and save valuable time – without needing to be tech experts.
Quick Wins to Get You Started
1. Pin Your Most-Used Channels and Chats
Avoid wasting time searching for key conversations. Pin your most-used chats and channels to the top of your Teams interface for instant access.
2. Use @Mentions Strategically
Tag individuals or entire teams to ensure messages are seen and actioned. This reduces email clutter and keeps communication focused.
3. Set Up Notifications Wisely
Customise your notification settings to avoid distractions while staying informed about what matters most.
Time-Saving Tips & Tricks
1. Integrate with Outlook
Schedule Teams meetings directly from Outlook and sync your calendars. This ensures seamless coordination and reduces double-booking.
2. Use the Search Bar Like a Pro
The search bar in Teams isn’t just for finding messages – it can locate files, people, and even commands. Type “/” to see shortcuts like “/call” or “/files”.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts
Speed up navigation with shortcuts like:
- Ctrl + E to go to the search bar
- Ctrl + Shift + M to mute/unmute
- Ctrl + 1 to switch to Activity
Features That Enhance Collaboration
1. Shared Document Editing
Collaborate on Word, Excel or PowerPoint files in real-time within Teams. No more version confusion or email attachments.
2. Breakout Rooms for Focused Discussions
Ideal for training sessions or brainstorming, breakout rooms allow smaller groups to work independently before rejoining the main meeting.
3. Approvals App
Streamline internal approvals for expenses, leave requests or document sign-offs directly within Teams – keeping everything centralised and auditable.
Ensuring You’re Getting the Most from Teams
1. Regular Training & Upskilling
Teams evolves rapidly. Regular bite-sized training sessions help staff stay up to date and confident using new features.
2. Governance & Security Settings
For regulated firms, ensuring Teams is configured securely is essential. Resolution IT can help you implement data loss prevention, access controls and compliance policies tailored to your regulatory environment.
3. Analytics & Usage Reports
Use built-in analytics to understand how Teams is being used across your organisation. Identify underused features and opportunities for improvement.
Why It Matters
Microsoft Teams isn’t just a chat tool – it’s a productivity platform. When used effectively, it can:
- Reduce email volume
- Speed up decision-making
- Improve document management
- Enhance team accountability
- Support secure remote working
How Resolution IT Can Help
Whether you’re based in Guernsey, Jersey or Dubai, our team of experts can help you:
- Audit your current Teams usage
- Deliver tailored training sessions
- Optimise Teams for compliance and security
- Integrate Teams with other Microsoft 365 tools
