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Prompt Like a Pro: Get to decisions faster in Teams meetings with Microsoft Copilot (Thu, 25 Apr 2024)
In this new normal of more flexible work, decision-making can be a much more complex and time-consuming process. With Microsoft Copilot in Teams, you can get to decisions quicker during and after your meetings – no matter where everyone is connecting from. In this “Prompt Like a Pro,” you’ll learn how to leverage prompts that will help visualize and evaluate each team member's ideas as well as make decisions based on those ideas. Now you can avoid those dreaded meetings that could have been an email by unlocking faster and more inclusive decision-making in your meetings – all in seconds, with the power of Copilot in Teams.   Get an overview of your team’s ideas The first step to making decisions during (and after) a meeting begins with identifying the ideas discussed and their benefits and drawbacks. Rather than trying to keep up with the conversations while taking notes or watching a recording later, you can focus on and engage in the discussing knowing that Copilot has you covered! In seconds, you can use prompts to organize all the ideas presented at any point during the meeting and have Copilot create a table that includes all the information related to the ideas you want to know. For example, you can use a prompt to ask Copilot: “Identify the pros and cons of each idea formatted as a table with 3 headers: ideas, pros, cons.”   By formatting into a table – you now have a side-by-side comparison making it easier to evaluate the ideas and add your thoughts to the discussion. This not only accelerates decision-making but also ensures that all ideas are considered before making your decision. In just a couple of clicks, you can easily copy and paste the table Copilot made to the meeting chat so your team can check it and give more feedback or ideas before the meeting ends. You can go even further, asking Copilot other questions* such as who suggested a specific idea, who disagreed/agreed with it and why, etc.   Create an implementation plan for your idea(s) Once your team has aligned on an idea to move forward with, you can go a step further by asking Copilot to outline the steps to bring an idea to fruition. This helps you continue the momentum and get started with implementation faster. Just build on your original prompt with a follow-up like: “Identify the steps involved in implementing [idea].”   Copilot will use the discussion during the meeting about that specific idea and lay out a simple implementation plan if your team had discussed one. This prompt is crucial as it lays out a roadmap for action, detailing the necessary stages from inception to completion. It will help you assess the feasibility of an idea and to allocate resources effectively.   Generate additional ideas And to end your meeting and decide on a path forward, you can even ask Copilot: “Based on what was discussed in the meeting, what idea would you recommend?” This prompt is best used when your meeting is wrapping up and most of your discussion is over. Copilot will then synthesize all the information brought up and suggest the most viable option, considering the pros, cons, and implementation strategies discussed. But feel free to try it out earlier in the meeting, it may help you add to the conversation if your team is getting stuck. If your team clearly states that no decision has been made by the end of your meeting, Copilot will let you know when you use this prompt. Keep in mind, you can always ask Copilot these questions again after the meeting is over if you recorded or transcribed the meeting.   Accelerating your decision-making Copilot isn’t just a tool; it’s your co-creator. It amplifies your team’s brilliance, streamlines decision-making, and transforms meetings into efficient, productive, and fulfilling uses of your time. By utilizing the prompts mentioned in this blog, and utilizing your own follow-up prompts to get specific results relevant to your conversation with Copilot in your Teams meetings, your meetings will no longer be interchangeable with an email. Instead, it encourages a more collaborative and efficient approach to decision-making, ensuring that the best ideas are not just heard but are also given the consideration they deserve. With Microsoft Copilot in Teams, you and your team will be able to take your work to the next level and achieve more in meetings - and beyond - faster and easier.   Additional resources For more examples of prompts that Copilot can help you with, check out Copilot Lab. Filter by M365 app - Teams - to learn what prompts to use for meetings, in chats, and get tips for better optimized prompts in Teams and beyond!   What’s coming next Stay tuned for more tips on how to work with Copilot in Microsoft Teams and before you know it you will be prompting like a pro! If you’re already using Copilot in Teams, share your favorite prompts in the comments for the chance to get featured in a future “Prompt Like a Pro” blog spotlighting some community favorites!   *Copilot in Teams is constantly evolving and improving thanks to your input and feedback. If a Copilot prompt does not work the way you expect it to, let us know how by using the thumbs-down button that appears after a response.
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Announcing Call Record Insights for Microsoft Teams (Thu, 18 Apr 2024)
In an era where Microsoft Teams is central to communication and collaboration, the treasure trove of data within call records has remained largely untapped due to the complexity and technical challenges of accessing and analyzing it. Call Record Insights simply and efficiently enables organizations to understand and act on call data. The Challenge: Navigating the Data Maze Organizations have long grappled with two major hurdles in leveraging Teams call records: The Need for Custom Solutions: Accessing and managing call record data traditionally required bespoke development, a significant barrier that deterred many from utilizing the Call Records API effectively. Complex Data Structures: The breadth and depth of data made available via the raw call record is immense and deeply layered. Making this data ready for analysis or reporting could be challenging. Call Record Insights flattens the call record into a well-structured format, reducing effort, and providing you with greater customization for accessing and rendering your data.   The Solution: Call Record Insights Unveiled Call Record Insights elegantly addresses these challenges, transforming the way organizations interact with their Teams call data: Automated Retrieval: With automatic fetching of call records upon their availability, the application streamlines the initial step of data collection, utilizing a Graph API subscription to simplify the initial data gathering phase. Simplified Data Transformation: It converts the intricate JSON data structures into a clear, manageable format, ready for in-depth analysis. Example of how the transformed call records look in Azure Data Explorer   Secure and Efficient Storage: The application securely stores the transformed data in Azure Cosmos DB and Kusto (Azure Data Explorer), ensuring both safety and accessibility. Code-Free Deployment: Organizations can deploy this solution swiftly, without the need to delve into custom coding. Quick and Powerful Data Analytics using KQL: Leverage Kusto Query Language (KQL) for immediate insights, such as call duration and type by user. Example Query Showing Average Call Duration By User using Call Record Data   Enabling Powerful At-A-Glance Views with Kusto Dashboards: Explore the possibilities with custom dashboards tailored for insightful analytics. Example Dashboard from Kusto Dashboards using Call Record Data   Simplifying Complex Reporting Challenges: Utilize Azure Data Explorer's capabilities for advanced scenarios like anomaly detection. Example of Kusto Anomaly Detection using Call Record Data   Connect directly with PowerBI and Generate custom views, including your own custom DAX measures and columns:   Built for Scale and Resilience: By leveraging Azure's robust infrastructure components such as Azure Event Hub, Azure Functions, Cosmos DB, and Kusto, the application is both scalable and resilient. Seamless Data Augmentation: Thanks to Kusto’s extensive built-in connectors, enhancing call record data with additional information is straightforward, further enriching the insights you can derive. Examples include adding location and ISP mapping, as seen in the dashboard examples above.   The Benefits: Empowering Your Organization Deploying Call Record Insights brings a host of advantages: Complete Data Ownership and Control: Enjoy full sovereignty over your data, including End User Identifiable Information, with all storage and processing happening within your Azure subscription. Scalable to Your Needs: Tailor the solution to fit any organizational size, from small teams to large enterprises. Customizable Query Performance: Adapt the query performance to suit your specific requirements, optimizing for speed and efficiency. Call Record Insights is not just a solution; it's a gateway to unlocking the full potential of Teams call records. By simplifying data access and analysis, it empowers organizations to make informed decisions, enhance operational efficiencies, and uncover new opportunities. Start your journey towards data mastery today and leverage the rich insights waiting within your Teams call records.     High-Level Architecture Here is a glimpse into the solution's architecture, showcasing how it seamlessly integrates with Azure services to deliver its capabilities.   Embarking on Your Data Journey Call Record Insights stands ready to transform your approach to Teams call data, promising a journey of discovery, efficiency, and strategic insight. Deploy it with ease and take the first step towards harnessing the full potential of your communications data. Unlock the valuable insights Call Record Insights provides, deploy it today!   Deployment Guide: https://github.com/OfficeDev/microsoft-teams-apps-callrecord-insights/wiki/Deployment.   For further information, including deployment guidance, code, and documentation, visit our GitHub Repository. Join our community today and start exploring myriad possibilities with Call Record Insights.
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