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15 Questions Business Leaders Are Asking About Microsoft 365 Copilot

Stright forward answers to questions about Microsoft Copilot. 

Picture of Jason Lee By  11 min read

The race is on.  Which AI tool will get the business market?  There's no doubt Microsoft has an advantage with it's deep integration into the business community already through Microsoft 365.  And if you're business is already operating in M365, you should take a hard look at Copilot Implementation. As your trusted technology guide, we at Sentry Technology Solutions hear these questions daily from business leaders considering Microsoft Copilot AI implementation and think they might help you determine if Copilot is a good fit for your organization.  Here are straightforward answers to help you navigate your journey.

Implementation & Strategy

  1. Which departments should get Copilot first?
    • Start with teams that heavily use Microsoft 365 products and have clear use cases. Sales, marketing, and customer service teams often see immediate benefits through faster content creation and improved customer communication.
  2. How do we implement without disrupting operations?
    • Implementation should be phased, starting with a small pilot group and individuals. Form an AI council with representatives from IT, leadership, and key departments to oversee the rollout and gather feedback.
  3. What metrics should we track for success?
    • Focus on specific outcomes like time saved on routine tasks, faster response times to customers, and improved employee satisfaction. Microsoft's Copilot Dashboard provides detailed usage analytics and impact metrics.

Cost & Value

  1. What's the realistic ROI for mid-sized businesses?
    • While specific returns vary, businesses typically see value through reduced time on routine tasks, faster content creation, and improved customer response times. The key is identifying specific use cases aligned with your business goals.
  2. How does Copilot fit with existing technology investments?
    • Copilot integrates seamlessly with your Microsoft 365 environment and can connect with other business systems through proper integration planning. It builds upon your existing Microsoft investment rather than replacing it.  Adding more value and ROI to all the other systems you already use. No additional logins or profiles needed.

Change Management

  1. How do we ensure employee adoption?
    • Success requires clear communication about Copilot's benefits, comprehensive training, and visible executive sponsorship. Create a community where employees can share tips and success stories.
  2. What training do employees need?
    • Start with basic prompt engineering skills and Microsoft 365 fundamentals. Ongoing training should focus on role-specific use cases and best practices for your industry.
  3. How do we address AI anxiety in the workplace?
    • Frame Copilot as an assistant that enhances human capabilities rather than replaces them. Share specific examples of how it reduces mundane tasks and allows focus on higher-value work.

Security & Compliance

  1. How does Copilot protect sensitive data?
    • Copilot inherits your existing Microsoft 365 security permissions and compliance settings. It operates within your organization's existing security framework.
  2. What compliance considerations should we address?
    • Review your data governance policies and ensure proper permissions are set. Copilot maintains audit trails and supports eDiscovery requirements.
  3. Can we control what information Copilot accesses?
    • Yes, Copilot respects existing document permissions and sensitivity labels. Your IT team maintains full control over access levels.

Integration & Scaling

  1. How does Copilot connect with our existing systems?
    • Copilot can integrate with your M365 suite immediatly. Copilot can integrate with other non-microsoft business systems through Microsoft Copilot Studio, allowing you to build custom integrations and secure connections to your databases and internal systems.
  2. What's the best approach for scaling across our organization?
    • Scale gradually based on demonstrated success. Start with pilot groups, document wins, refine processes, then expand to additional departments.
  3. How does Copilot fit into long-term digital transformation?
    • Consider M365 Copilot as part of your broader AI strategy. It serves as an entry point for AI adoption through your already established M365 apps while laying groundwork for more advanced implementations.  Those more advanced AI implementations can come through custom Copilot Studio applications or other tools as you lay the groundwork.
  4. What ongoing support will we need?
    • Plan for continuous training, regular assessment of use cases, and technical support. Partner with an experienced technology provider who can guide your AI journey.  Change is hard, so helping your employees integrate Copilot into their workflows will see the most increase in ROI.

Curious about Moving Forward?

Ready to explore how Microsoft 365 Copilot can transform your business? Contact Sentry Technology Solutions to schedule a discovery call. As your trusted technology guide and Microsoft Partner we'll help you navigate the implementation process and maximize your AI investment.  

 

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