2020 saw exponential growth for Microsoft collaboration software, Microsoft (MS) Teams, with daily usage figures reported to have surpassed 115 million in November.
While Australia thankfully looks to be through the worst of the COVID-19 situation, the way organisation's use technology to operate has fundamentally changed, and remote workforce models are here to stay.
Looking at the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, new features and functionality of MS Teams to support remote and hybrid workforces shows no signs of slowing down as we head towards the new year.
Many of these new features are positioned to 'harmonise wellbeing and productivity', from Microsoft's belief that to thrive at work, we need to take care of ourselves.
So, what new features can we expect from MS Teams in 2021?
1. The Virtual Commute
With the change of work environments in 2020, Microsoft found that people are working longer hours, starting earlier, finishing later, and continuing over weekends. With the daily commute no longer part of morning and evening routines for many, the switch between work and home life has become blurred.
In 2021, MS Teams is releasing a 'virtual commute feature for users. The feature aims to add structure to your day by setting aside time to start off your morning focused, and mindfully disconnect from the evening, including the ability to:
- Book out "meeting free" virtual commute times.
- Reminder's to begin to wind down and leave for the day.
- Closeout or re-schedule tasks.
- Reflect on your day.
- Partake in a mindfulness exercise.
Find out more about Diamond IT's customised Microsoft Teams Training.
2. Mindfulness Experiences
One of the most exciting features set for release in 2021 is MS Teams mindfulness experiences and meditations. Establishing an integration with Headspace, (a wellbeing and meditation app that teaches simple, life-changing mindfulness skills in just a few minutes each day), these new experiences will allow your employees to schedule reoccurring time to meditate via Teams during their scheduled Virtual Commute, during breaks, or as needed (such as before important meetings or big projects).
Backed by modern science, and clinically validated research, employees using Headspace have been found to:
- Less Stress - 30 days of Headspace lowers stress by 32%, and just 4 sessions reduces burnout by 14%.
- More Focus - 4 weeks of Headspace can increase focus by 14%, and just a single session cuts mind-wandering by 22%.
- Easier Teamwork - 3 weeks of Headspace shows 21% more compassionate behavior, and cuts aggression and reactivity to negative feedback by 57%.
3. Emotional Check-In
Another wellbeing feature set for release in early 2021 is the new emotional check-in experience. Emotional check-in allows mangers and individuals to easily check in with how they and their teams are feeling, in order to support wellbeing, and improve the effectiveness of interactions. Find out more about emotional check-in below.
Credit: Microsoft
4. Personal insights
In October, MS began rolling out personal productivity insights, starting with AI-powered personal productivity assistant, Cortana. Briefing emails from Cortana started to be delivered to Outlook daily, to help employees stay on top of their to-do list, and get the most from their time.
In 2021, individuals, managers and leaders will receive an even higher level of personal insights, with recommended actions, with Microsoft investing in analytic tools to "achieve a better day, a better week, and a better experience for individuals, their teams and their organisations."
The personal insight features scheduled for release in early 2021 promise to:
- Strengthen relationships.
- Seamlessly schedule time for 1:1's.
- Stay up to date with key communications; and
- Carve out time for important tasks and uninterrupted work.
Insights for managers and leaders show how work happens in their teams and the impact on employee wellbeing, as well as identifying where teams may be isolated.
How Diamond IT can help
Diamond IT are committed not only to the health and wellbeing of our team, but also of our customers. We strongly believe that healthy and happy employees are more productive, and that technology plays a large role in supporting workplaces to perform at an optimal level.
Diamond IT specialises in MS Teams training, and utilises an interactive learning model to ensure staff not only understand key tools and concepts but are able to use them effectively in their typical workday. We work with you to ensure that your employees are getting the most from MS Teams, including the new wellbeing features, in a way that is unique to your organisation.
Our Technology Consulting team is available to make your MS Teams implementation and staff training program a success. Contact our team on 1300 307 907, today.
