03 Apr 2025

Stop Wasting the Potential of Microsoft 365: Why Small Businesses Need to Train Their Staff – Now

If you’re a small business using Microsoft 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Copilot, you might think you’re already getting your money’s worth.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

If your team isn’t trained on how to use these tools properly, you’re barely scratching the surface.

Too many small businesses roll out Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot and just expect magic to happen. The reality? People keep using Outlook and Word the same old way, while powerful AI and automation features sit unused. That’s not productivity — that’s wasted potential.

You Bought the Tools — Now Teach Your Team to Use Them

Microsoft 365 is packed with productivity power. Microsoft 365 Copilot alone can:

  • Draft emails and reports in seconds.
  • Analyse spreadsheets and surface insights instantly.
  • Suggest action points from Teams meetings.
  • Help build out workflows and automate repetitive tasks.

Sounds amazing, right? But here’s the catch:

If your staff don’t know how to use it, none of that happens.

You wouldn’t invest in high-end software for your accounts or operations team without training. So why are so many small businesses skipping this step when it comes to Microsoft 365?

Training Isn't a Cost - It’s the Fastest Way to ROI

When done right, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot can transform the way your business works:

  • ⏱️ Save hours every week with streamlined processes.
  • 📈 Make smarter decisions faster with AI-generated insights.
  • 🤝 Collaborate better across teams, no matter where people work.
  • 😊 Boost morale by giving your people tools that make their jobs easier.

Training your team isn’t just about showing them where the buttons are. It’s about empowering them to use tech to solve real problems and unlock real efficiencies.

Let’s Talk Collaboration and Workflow

One of the biggest productivity drains in any business? Inefficient collaboration.

Without the right training, people:

  • Email versions of documents back and forth (instead of co-editing in real time).
  • Miss updates because they’re not using Teams channels effectively.
  • Waste time duplicating work across apps that should be integrated.

With the right knowledge, your team can:

  • Build automated approval flows using Power Automate.
  • Use OneNote and Planner for smarter collaboration.
  • Sync calendars, tasks, and documents seamlessly across teams.

Training transforms Microsoft 365 from “just another platform” into your business’s productivity engine.

So Why Is This Still Overlooked?

It’s easy to assume people “know how to use Microsoft Office.” But Microsoft 365 — especially with Microsoft 365 Copilot — is a completely different beast now.

If you’re not actively training your team on how to get the most from it, you’re losing time, money, and morale.

💡 Training isn’t just about productivity — it builds confidence, improves culture, and reduces stress

That’s exactly why we partner with a dedicated training and adoption agency https://www.combined-knowledge.com/one . They will take the time to understand your business, your workflows, and your people. Combined Knowledge works with you intimately to design and deliver a tailored program that fits your team’s specific needs and skill levels. No generic PowerPoint decks or one-size-fits-all webinars — just practical, hands-on support that gets actual results.

Get Ahead or Fall Behind

Here’s what you can do right now:

  • ✅ Audit your team’s usage of Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • ✅ Identify what features are being underused or misunderstood.
  • ✅ Set up proper training sessions — or bring in an expert.
  • ✅ Encourage your team to build and share better workflows.

Because the businesses who train their people to work smarter are the ones who win — in time, efficiency, and team wellbeing.

Want help building a Microsoft 365 & Microsoft 365 Copilot training plan for your business?

We can help. Whether it’s a quick productivity audit or a full hands-on workshop series, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Start unlocking the real value of your tools — and your team.

Get in touch with your FOS.net account manager.