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Leadership is evolving. The days of command-and-control frameworks are fading, replaced by approaches better suited to today’s dynamic and complex world. As leaders grapple with market disruptions, remote collaboration, and diverse, creative workforces, a transformative model is emerging: AI-augmented leadership. In this model, technology and humanity are not at odds but work hand-in-hand to elevate the qualities we value most in leadership: awareness, wisdom, and compassion. By embracing AI’s potential, leaders can focus on human connection and decision-making that resonate deeply within their organizations. Breaking Free from Traditional Leadership Traditional leadership, rooted in authority and transactional decision-making, often undervalues the human elements that drive true engagement: empathy, insight, and courage. While these methods may still have their place, they risk alienating teams in today’s environment of autonomy and creativity. Enter the AI-augmented leader: someone as technologically savvy as they are emotionally grounded. These leaders leverage AI-driven tools to access real-time data and actionable insights while remaining attuned to the human challenges their teams face. This approach marks a fundamental shift from the hierarchical leadership of old to a model that integrates data-driven precision with emotional intelligence. The AI-Human Partnership in Action At the heart of AI augmentation lies a powerful partnership between human discernment and machine efficiency. On one side, leaders bring context, complexity, and compassion to the table. On the other, AI contributes its ability to process vast amounts of data, uncover hidden patterns, and deliver timely suggestions. For example, when crafting a product launch strategy, an AI-augmented leader might use AI tools to analyze market trends, customer sentiment, and competitor strategies. With these insights in hand, they are free to focus on higher-order thinking: aligning the strategy with team values, considering ethical implications, and fostering team buy-in. This synergy doesn’t replace human leadership; it enhances it. Leaders become more effective by balancing analytics with emotional intelligence, creating a decision-making process that is both data-informed and deeply human. Awareness: A Broader Perspective with AI Awareness in leadership is about more than just understanding surface-level issues. It involves grasping broader contexts, such as company culture, economic conditions, and team dynamics. While general social awareness is irreplaceable, AI tools can illuminate blind spots. For instance, sentiment analysis platforms like Read.ai evaluate meeting effectiveness and provide actionable feedback based on participant contributions. These tools help leaders notice subtle patterns, such as emerging stress points or shifting team morale, which might otherwise go unnoticed. Armed with this knowledge, leaders can engage more meaningfully, addressing issues proactively and fostering a more connected workplace. Wisdom: Human Judgment Meets AI Insights Wisdom in leadership stems from the ability to ask the right questions and make decisions that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains. While AI excels at delivering data-driven answers, human leaders remain uniquely positioned to frame those questions in ways that reflect moral principles, organizational values, and the nuances of human connection. For example, a leader facing a complex decision might rely on AI to provide predictive insights and scenario analyses. But the ultimate choice requires human discernment—balancing profitability with ethics, team welfare, and customer satisfaction. By blending AI insights with reflective judgment, leaders craft strategies that resonate on both practical and emotional levels. Compassion: Using AI to Foster Connection Compassion is the cornerstone of human-centered leadership. It enables leaders to connect with their teams on a personal level, demonstrating empathy and understanding. Without it, leadership risks feeling cold and robotic. AI can serve as a valuable ally in fostering compassion. Tools that detect early signs of burnout or dissatisfaction—such as analyzing workload patterns or customer feedback trends—empower leaders to address issues before they escalate. For example, a leader who identifies rising stress levels within their team can proactively offer support, resources, or adjustments to workloads, ensuring every team member feels valued and supported. This blend of data-driven awareness and authentic human response fosters a culture of care, helping teams thrive in even the most challenging environments. The Path Forward: Human Potential Elevated by Technology AI is not here to replace leaders but to elevate them. By leveraging AI’s strengths—processing data, identifying trends, and offering predictive insights—leaders can unlock new dimensions of trust, inspiration, and clarity. This is more than a shift; it’s a transformation that brings us closer to leadership that is profoundly human at its core. As AI advances, the leadership archetype will not simply shift; it will expand. When implemented thoughtfully and ethically, AI empowers leaders to see more clearly, think more deeply, and respond with greater empathy than ever before. The AI-augmented leader is not a futuristic fantasy but an emerging reality, promising a more aware, wise, and compassionate form of leadership that can transform organizations and communities alike.

Are you ready to become a Microsoft Teams power user? Let's dive into some advanced meeting setup features that many people overlook but can significantly enhance your Teams experience. By utilizing these features, you can make your meetings more organized, efficient, and engaging for everyone involved. 1. Configure Meeting Settings Before Sending Invites When creating a Teams meeting, you can adjust various settings to ensure a smooth experience. One useful option is deciding if participants need to respond with their attendance. This helps you avoid the flood of RSVP emails that can clutter your inbox. Simply configure this setting while setting up the meeting to stay focused and organized. Another useful setting is determining whether the meeting will be visible to others. You can make the meeting private or public, depending on the audience. This is particularly helpful when you need to control who knows about the meeting, which can be important for confidential discussions. Don't forget about the option to add co-organizers. Adding co-organizers allows others to help manage the meeting, share responsibilities, and ensure that everything runs smoothly, even if you need to step away. This feature is particularly valuable for large or recurring meetings where multiple people may need to take on a leadership role. 2. Make Use of the Options Panel The options panel is a goldmine for streamlining your meetings. If you don't see it open on the right side when setting up a meeting, click the option button. From here, you can customize several key settings: Lobby Control : Decide who can bypass the lobby. This prevents the need to manually admit each participant, which can be especially handy if people are running late. You can set the lobby to allow everyone, only people in your organization, or even specific guests. Microphone and Camera Settings : You can enable or disable microphones and cameras for participants, while organizers and co-organizers retain full control. This is particularly useful if you want to reduce distractions during the meeting, such as background noise or unintentional video sharing. Unmute Participants : If the discussion calls for more participation, you can allow participants to unmute themselves at key moments. This is great for Q&A sessions or interactive discussions where participant input is encouraged. Alternatively, you can keep participants muted to maintain order during presentations. Chat Controls : Want to limit distractions? You can turn the meeting chat off entirely or only allow it to function during the meeting itself. This helps participants focus on the discussion without being sidetracked by side conversations. You can also set it so that only organizers can post messages, which is useful for keeping the chat relevant and on-topic. Screen Sharing Permissions : Set rules for who can share their screen or present during the meeting. This is particularly useful for large-scale gatherings to prevent accidental interruptions. You can restrict screen sharing to just the presenters or allow anyone to share, depending on the nature of your meeting. Screen sharing permissions can help avoid disruptions and keep the meeting flowing smoothly. 3. Use Breakout Rooms for Smaller Group Discussions Breakout rooms are an excellent feature for splitting a larger meeting into smaller, more focused groups. You can use breakout rooms for brainstorming sessions, team activities, or detailed discussions. As the organizer, you can set up breakout rooms ahead of time or create them during the meeting itself. Once the breakout rooms are active, you can move between them to monitor progress, provide guidance, or answer questions. This feature is especially useful in training sessions or workshops where smaller group interactions can lead to more productive outcomes. 4. Automatic Meeting Recording If you've agreed to record a meeting but often forget to hit the record button, Teams has your back. Enable the option for automatic recording, and Teams will start recording as soon as the meeting kicks off. This way, even if you're organizing but can't attend, a recording will still be available for review. Automatic recording is also helpful for capturing important information, such as decisions made or action items assigned. Participants who couldn't attend the meeting can watch the recording later to catch up, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. You can also share the recording with those who need to refer back to specific parts of the meeting for clarity. 5. Utilize Meeting Notes for Better Follow-Up Teams allows you to take meeting notes directly within the meeting interface . This is a great way to keep track of key points, decisions, and action items without needing to switch between different applications. You can start taking notes before the meeting even begins and add to them throughout the session. Meeting notes are saved with the meeting and can be accessed by all participants afterward. This feature makes it easy for everyone to review what was discussed and what follow-up actions are required. It also helps ensure that nothing important is forgotten or overlooked. 6. Polls and Q&A for Engagement Another feature to consider is using polls and Q&A to engage participants during your Teams meetings. Polls can be created in advance or during the meeting to gather opinions, vote on options, or check participants' understanding. This is particularly useful in decision-making scenarios where you need input from everyone quickly. The Q&A feature allows participants to submit questions during the meeting. This keeps the discussion organized and ensures that all questions are addressed. As the organizer, you can moderate questions, prioritize important ones, and ensure everyone gets their answers. Wrapping Up These Teams settings and features may seem minor, but mastering them can significantly enhance both your productivity and the quality of your meetings. By controlling who can share, managing participants, and automating routine actions, you can lead your meetings more efficiently and with fewer disruptions. Using additional tools like breakout rooms, meeting notes, and polls can make your meetings even more engaging and effective. By incorporating these features, you can ensure that all participants are involved, informed, and ready to contribute. Mastering Microsoft Teams is about making meetings work for you, not the other way around. Interested in learning more about how you can maximize your Teams efficiency? As experienced longtime Microsoft partners, we're here to help you make the most of your investments - reach out today to speak with a SYNERGY expert.

Traditionally, Microsoft Teams and Outlook calendars have operated as separate entities, creating challenges for users navigating between the two platforms. The disparity often led to confusion, inefficiencies, and a fragmented experience when scheduling meetings or managing events. The introduction of the new Microsoft Teams calendar marks a transformative step, bridging the gap by integrating Outlook's robust functionality directly into Teams. This integration not only simplifies workflows but also enhances collaboration and organization. Here’s how you can leverage the new calendar to its full potential. Why the New Teams Calendar Matters The new Teams calendar offers: A modernized interface similar to Outlook. Enhanced meeting insights. Integration of shared calendars and scheduling assistants. Flexible work hour and location settings. Improved event filtering and printing options. Activating the New Teams Calendar Getting started with the new Teams calendar is straightforward. This feature allows you to switch seamlessly between the old and new experiences, ensuring you can adapt at your own pace. Open Microsoft Teams. Navigate to the calendar tab on the left-hand menu. Enable the new calendar view: Look for a toggle slider on the right-hand side. Switch it on to activate the updated experience powered by Outlook. If you wish to revert to the old calendar, simply toggle the slider off and provide feedback if desired. Otherwise, use the Skip Feedback button to revert back to the old calendar. Exploring Key Features Enhanced Event Creation and Management The new Teams calendar makes scheduling and managing events more intuitive than ever. Its Outlook-powered interface ensures familiarity for existing Outlook users. Creating Events:  Easily schedule meetings by clicking "New Event" or double-clicking directly on the calendar. Add essential details such as titles, attendees, and agendas. You can also include modern attachments from OneDrive and integrate Microsoft Loop components for collaborative meeting notes. Viewing Insights:  Access related emails or files directly within the meeting details, providing a comprehensive view to prepare for your discussions effectively. Shared Calendar Access Managing shared calendars has become a breeze, enhancing visibility and coordination across teams. Viewing Shared Calendars:  Find "My Calendars" on the left panel, which now includes shared calendars from colleagues or groups. Adding Shared Calendars:  Use Outlook (web or desktop) to add colleagues’ calendars. Navigate to the calendar section, click "Add Calendar," and select "From Directory." After a brief sync, these calendars will appear in Teams. Setting Work Hours and Locations Customizing your availability is now more flexible, making it easier for colleagues to schedule meetings that align with your preferences. Customizing Availability:  Access calendar settings via the three-dot menu. Specify work hours and indicate whether you’ll be in the office or working remotely. Real-time Visibility:  Your calendar will display office or remote icons, helping colleagues plan in-person meetings more efficiently. Using the Scheduling Assistant Planning meetings has never been simpler. The scheduling assistant provides a clear overview of everyone’s availability, including in-person options. Open a new event. Click "Find a Time" to view colleagues' schedules. Select "In-person Event" to identify shared office hours for face-to-face meetings. Filtering and Viewing Options The revamped calendar offers flexible viewing options to suit your needs. Switch between day, week, work week, or month views. Adjust time intervals (e.g., 60-minute slots) for a clearer view of your schedule. Filter events by type, such as appointments, meetings, or in-person events. Printing and Exporting Calendars For those who prefer physical copies or need to share schedules, the printing and exporting features are invaluable. Use the three-dot menu to print detailed agendas, including meeting IDs and passcodes. Generate calendar views for specific weeks or months and share them with your team. Tips for Optimizing Your Calendar Make the most of the new calendar with these practical tips: Personalize Time Zones:  Adjust settings to display multiple time zones if you collaborate with global teams. Enable Weather Insights:  Add your location to view local weather alongside your schedule, ensuring you’re prepared for the day. Quick Updates:  Right-click on a specific day to adjust work locations, such as switching from office to remote for ad-hoc changes. Final Thoughts The new Microsoft Teams calendar streamlines scheduling, offers deeper insights, and improves collaboration across teams. By leveraging these features, you can eliminate the hassle of juggling between apps and focus on meaningful interactions. Activate the new calendar today and take control of your schedule like never before. Partnering with Synergy ensures that you’re making the most out of your Microsoft 365 tools, including the new Teams calendar. Let us help you transform your workflows and elevate your team’s efficiency. Contact Synergy today .

(Source: Microsoft ) Microsoft recently introduced AI-powered agents in SharePoint, aimed at simplifying how organizations interact with their content. These agents, now generally available, empower users to swiftly access insights and make informed decisions by leveraging the wealth of information stored within SharePoint sites. Understanding SharePoint Agents SharePoint agents  are AI-driven assistants tailored to specific tasks and subjects, providing precise answers and insights to support effective decision-making. Each SharePoint site includes a default agent that utilizes the site's content. Users can also create custom agents that access selected information across multiple sites, folders, or individual files.  Creating Custom Agents Developing a custom agent in SharePoint is straightforward: Navigate to SharePoint : Log in to Microsoft 365 and access the desired SharePoint site. Select Content : Choose specific files, folders, or entire sites that the agent should reference. Create the Agent : Click on "Create an Agent" from the menu. Customize : Assign a name, image, and description to the agent. You can also define its behavior, such as the tone of responses and sample prompts. This process enables users to tailor agents to their unique needs, ensuring that the AI provides relevant and accurate information.  Integration with Microsoft Teams SharePoint agents can be seamlessly integrated into Microsoft Teams, enhancing collaboration: Sharing Agents : Users can share agents via email or within Teams chats by copying a link to the agent. Interaction : In Teams, users can interact with the agent by @mentioning it in a chat, allowing the agent to provide information and answer questions based on its configured knowledge sources. This integration ensures that team members have access to critical information within their primary communication platform.  Security and Permissions Microsoft emphasizes data security with SharePoint agents: Adherence to Permissions : Agents respect existing SharePoint permissions, ensuring users access only information they are authorized to view. Data Protection : Agents operate within the secure boundaries of Microsoft 365, maintaining high standards of data privacy and security. This approach prevents oversharing of sensitive information and maintains organizational data integrity.  Real-World Applications Organizations are leveraging SharePoint agents in various ways: Accelerating Customer Support : Companies like Eaton have created agents for process documentation and knowledge sharing, aiding IT and engineering teams by simplifying information retrieval and enhancing efficiency. Onboarding New Employees : Custom agents assist new hires by providing access to essential information, helping them acclimate more quickly. Product Support : Agents based on product documentation serve as a 24/7 first line of triage for handling issues, offering trend analysis, root cause analysis, and more. These applications demonstrate the versatility and impact of SharePoint agents across different business functions.  Getting Started To begin utilizing SharePoint agents: Access Your SharePoint Site : Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and navigate to the relevant SharePoint site. Interact with the Default Agent : Click on the Copilot icon to start interacting with the site's default agent. Create Custom Agents : Select specific files or folders and use the "Create an Agent" feature to develop a custom agent tailored to your needs. By integrating AI-powered agents into SharePoint, Microsoft is enhancing productivity and collaboration, enabling users to harness their organization's knowledge more effectively.

At Synergy, it's our belief that the modern workplace requires a combination of powerful tools and smart usage to stay productive and efficient. Microsoft Teams is at the heart of many organizations' communication and collaboration strategies, but are you getting the most out of it? Some Teams features that often go underutilized can actually greatly enhance the user experience. Below are some tips we recommend to optimize your day-to-day use of Teams: Customize Your Theme File Management, Your Way Set Availability Duration Choose Your Default Browser Customize Your Teams Theme for Better Visual Comfort Spending hours in front of your screen can be exhausting, especially if the interface isn’t optimized for visual comfort. One often-overlooked feature in Teams is the ability to customize your theme, which can make your interface more pleasant to work with. Here’s how you can do it: Go to  Settings   and click  Appearance and Accessibility . From there, navigate to the theme menu, where you’ll see options to switch from the default theme to something more suited to your preferences. Many users find the  dark theme  to be easier on the eyes, especially during long sessions or when working in low-light conditions. A simple change like this can improve your overall comfort and focus, helping you avoid the strain of staring at a bright screen for extended periods. Control How You Open Files in Teams Teams makes it easy to collaborate, but file management is where things can sometimes become tricky. Do you prefer files to open in the Teams viewer, or do you find it easier to work in the desktop version of apps like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint? You have control over this: Go to  Files and Links  within Teams to adjust your settings. Decide whether you want to open files directly within Teams, use the desktop application, or opt for the browser version. Benefits of each option: Teams Viewer : Fast, integrated experience without needing to switch apps. Desktop App : Access to full features and tools that might not be available in the web or Teams versions. Browser : Good for those who prefer the flexibility of working across multiple tabs. This setting allows you to streamline your workflow and reduce friction, ensuring files open in the most suitable app for your tasks. This is particularly useful if you frequently need advanced features from the desktop applications. Set Availability with a Duration to Prevent Status Overruns It's easy to set your availability in Teams by clicking on the status indicator, but have you ever forgotten to switch it back? You’re not alone. Teams offers a feature to prevent your status from being outdated: When setting your availability, go beyond just clicking the status. Click  Duration . From there, you can pick how long you want your status to remain as  Do Not Disturb ,  Away , or  Available  before it automatically reverts to following your calendar. Why is this useful? It prevents accidental extended periods of being “unavailable,” which could cause missed messages or delays. It ensures your status reflects your true availability, particularly if your schedule is driven by meetings or appointments. For example, if you're in a two-hour meeting but forget to change your availability, Teams will automatically sync back to your calendar after the duration you’ve set. No more forgotten statuses! Bonus Tip: Choose Your Default Browser for Links in Teams For those who spend significant time navigating between apps and websites, this tip will save you time: Within Teams, you can also decide which browser to open links in. This is especially useful if you have multiple browsers installed, such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. By choosing your preferred browser, you can better manage how external links are handled, making sure you’re always working within the environment that’s best suited to your preferences. Whether it’s security, speed, or just a personal habit, having control over this feature adds an extra layer of efficiency to your workflow. At Synergy, we see these small but powerful changes as essential steps toward optimizing how you and your team interact with Microsoft Teams. These little tweaks, though often overlooked, can have a profound impact on day-to-day productivity. As Microsoft continues to evolve its suite of tools, staying informed about useful features like these helps ensure that your team stays efficient and agile.

(Source: Microsoft ) As 2024 draws to a close, Microsoft is making bold moves with Wave 2 of its CoPilot AI. These updates aren't just incremental improvements—they represent a fundamental shift in how businesses can operate smarter and more efficiently. At Synergy, we’re seeing this as a turning point for businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive landscape. The integration of new features across Microsoft 365—from Outlook and PowerPoint to CoPilot Pages and CoPilot Agents—opens up significant opportunities for streamlining workflows, fostering collaboration, and driving intelligent automation. Here’s our take on what’s new in CoPilot Wave 2 and why we believe it’s crucial for shaping the future of work. CoPilot Pages: Revolutionizing Collaboration One of the standout innovations in Wave 2 is CoPilot Pages , and we think this is going to redefine how teams collaborate. Built on Microsoft Loop, CoPilot Pages allows you to capture, organize, and share ideas across different apps in a digital workspace. Imagine pulling together thoughts and drafts seamlessly, without the need for constant back-and-forth emails or struggling to keep everyone on the same page. At Synergy, we see this feature making a massive impact, especially for teams that need to work on projects across multiple departments. It provides an organized approach to collaboration, letting teams brainstorm freely and then refine those ideas in one place. Whether you’re in marketing, project management, or product development, CoPilot Pages is going to elevate how projects are executed from start to finish. Outlook: Cutting Through the Noise Let’s be real—email can be a productivity killer. Sorting through endless messages and trying to keep track of important ones is a challenge for nearly every professional. That’s why CoPilot’s intelligent inbox prioritization  in Outlook is such a game-changer. By learning from your email habits, it identifies and flags high-priority messages, letting you focus on what really matters. For us at Synergy, this goes beyond just filtering emails. We believe businesses spend far too much time dealing with email overload, and CoPilot is offering a solution that saves time and reduces mental clutter. CoPilot can also summarize long email threads, giving you key points at a glance, so you’re not spending hours in your inbox. It’s a vital tool for improving communication management, allowing you to stay on top of important tasks without getting bogged down by irrelevant messages. PowerPoint: Taking Presentation Creation to the Next Level Presentation creation has always been a time-consuming task, especially when you’re under pressure to deliver. But the new narrative builder  in PowerPoint takes this process to a whole new level, helping you build and organize entire slide decks more effectively. CoPilot doesn’t just help with layout; it helps you tell a cohesive story with your slides. At Synergy, we see this as a game-changer for teams in marketing, sales, and leadership who often rely on PowerPoint to deliver pitches, updates, or reports. Now, instead of spending hours tweaking slide design, you can focus on crafting your message. With Microsoft Designer integration, you can also add AI-generated images and use company templates to ensure everything stays on-brand. This upgrade will streamline the creation process, allowing businesses to make a bigger impact with their presentations, faster. Excel: A New Era of Data Insights We’ve always turned to Excel for deep data analysis, but Wave 2 makes it even more powerful. The fact that CoPilot in Excel  can now handle unstructured data—like survey results or plain text—without the need for table formatting is a game-changer. You can get insights faster and more easily than ever before, freeing up time to focus on decision-making rather than data wrangling. What really excites us at Synergy is the new Python integration. Whether you’re an analyst or a non-technical user, this feature allows for deeper, more meaningful analysis without needing to write code. It’s a critical leap forward for businesses that work with large datasets, empowering teams to create custom visualizations and uncover insights that might have otherwise been missed. For anyone looking to make data-driven decisions faster, this is an exciting development. CoPilot Agents: Custom AI Workflows Without Code We’re particularly enthusiastic about CoPilot Agents , which allows businesses to create custom AI-driven workflows without writing a single line of code. Built on SharePoint and Power Automate, this feature enables non-technical teams to leverage AI in a way that was previously reserved for IT or data science departments. From our perspective at Synergy, this democratizes AI in a meaningful way. Now, HR teams can build workflows to automate responses to employee inquiries, or finance teams can streamline approval processes—all without needing to rely on developers. This is an incredibly powerful tool that allows businesses to tailor AI solutions to their specific needs, empowering non-technical teams to solve complex problems and automate repetitive tasks. Teams: Comprehensive Recaps to Keep Projects on Track We all know how challenging it can be to stay on top of meeting follow-ups, especially in fast-paced environments. With CoPilot in Teams , those challenges are a thing of the past. CoPilot now compiles complete meeting recaps, pulling in both chat conversations and in-meeting notes to create a comprehensive summary of discussions, decisions, and next steps. At Synergy, we see this feature as invaluable for teams working on high-stakes projects where every detail matters. Previously, only in-meeting notes were captured, but now entire conversations are recorded and synthesized, making it easier to keep track of what’s been decided and what needs to happen next. In a fast-moving business environment, this feature will be essential for keeping teams aligned and projects on track. Why We Think CoPilot Wave 2 is a Game-Changer From our vantage point at Synergy, CoPilot Wave 2 isn’t just a set of product updates—it’s a glimpse into the future of work. The integration of AI into everyday workflows offers businesses an unprecedented opportunity to save time, improve efficiency, and foster innovation. As businesses face increased pressure to stay competitive and agile, the ability to automate mundane tasks and focus on strategy becomes critical. We believe that companies who embrace these advancements now will be better positioned to lead in their industries. Whether it’s improving how teams collaborate in CoPilot Pages , unlocking deeper insights in Excel , or creating custom AI workflows  without code, Wave 2 delivers tools that can fundamentally transform the way businesses operate. Our Take on the Future of Work At Synergy, we’re excited about the direction Microsoft is taking with CoPilot, and we see this as a blueprint for the future of work. By integrating AI across tools that businesses already rely on, CoPilot is paving the way for smarter, faster, and more efficient workflows. As we close out 2024, we’re ready to help our clients fully leverage these new tools, ensuring they’re well-positioned to thrive in this rapidly evolving AI landscape. Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or looking to optimize existing workflows, we believe now is the time to take full advantage of what CoPilot Wave 2 has to offer.

At Synergy, we understand that the way teams collaborate and create is constantly evolving. That's why we’re always on the lookout for tools  that push the boundaries of what’s possible in a digital workspace. The introduction of the Canvas feature in ChatGPT  is a game-changer, offering a dynamic, interactive environment that enhances collaboration and takes your projects to the next level. Currently in beta, Canvas allows users to interact with content in ways that feel more natural and intuitive, all while streamlining the process of sharing and creating information. What is Canvas? Canvas is far more than a standard text editor—it's an adaptive workspace designed to accommodate evolving ideas and strategies. Imagine an environment where your documents are not just static files, but interactive spaces that grow with your thoughts. Whether you're drafting a project proposal, writing code, or brainstorming new ideas, Canvas gives you the flexibility to lay out your work in a way that best suits your creative process. Why Canvas Stands Out Before Canvas, teams often juggled multiple tools to collaborate, with traditional document editors limiting them to a linear, static approach. This often led to fragmented conversations and scattered ideas. Canvas, on the other hand, reimagines collaboration by providing a space that mirrors how creativity naturally flows—non-linear, adaptable, and visually engaging. With everything in one place, your work becomes easier to manage, and your ideas can truly flourish. How Canvas Improves Collaboration Canvas offers a more flexible and powerful environment for collaboration. It allows you to zoom in on specific elements or step back to view the bigger picture of your project. The workspace is designed to accommodate the fluidity of creative processes, empowering teams to connect ideas in ways that are both dynamic and visually compelling. Key Features of Canvas Dynamic Editing Environment Canvas allows for a more freeform approach to content creation. You can move elements around, split discussions into smaller threads, and structure documents to suit your workflow. Seamless Collaboration Canvas integrates real-time collaboration tools, ensuring that feedback, comments, and contributions come together effortlessly in one space. Versatile Content Handling From text to diagrams, embedded media to data tables, Canvas gives you the versatility to make your work more impactful by integrating various types of content. Context at a Glance Keep related discussions and content side by side without losing track of conversations. Everything you need is within reach, without having to toggle between windows. How Canvas Can Help Your Team Canvas is designed to support a wide range of tasks, making it useful for any team looking to streamline their workflows. Consider using it for: Brainstorming Sessions . Organize ideas visually and move elements around until everything clicks into place. Collaborative Writing . Eliminate the chaos of multiple comment threads by having a shared, organized space for input and collaboration. Project Planning . Visualize tasks, milestones, and ideas with ease, adjusting them as your project evolves. Whether you're planning a project or collaborating on complex tasks, Canvas gives you the flexibility and control to work the way you want. What’s Next for Canvas? Canvas is just the beginning of what’s possible. Looking ahead at what OpenAI has planned , several exciting features are in the pipeline, including: Advanced Visualization Tools Soon, flowcharts and mind maps will be available to help teams visualize complex relationships between ideas. Enhanced Integration Canvas will integrate more seamlessly with the tools your team already relies on, making it the central hub for your projects. AI-Powered Assistance We're excited about the potential for AI-powered features that will help with everything from organizing ideas to suggesting content improvements. A New Way to Collaborate At Synergy, we believe that tools like Canvas represent a significant step forward in how teams can collaborate. By bringing together conversation, content, and creativity in one space, Canvas allows for a more meaningful and efficient way to work. As this feature continues to evolve, we look forward to seeing how it can unlock new possibilities for businesses looking to optimize their workflows. We’re eager to hear your feedback on Canvas and how it has impacted your team's productivity. Your insights will help shape future content updates from Synergy’s team.

Macquarie University Empowers 3,000+ Staff Through Microsoft 365 Training with SYNERGY 3,000 Staff learn Microsoft 365 with Synergy’s Cloud training Services OVERVIEW: Synergy was chosen as Macquarie University’s training partner for the migration to Microsoft 365, in late July 2015. Macquarie needed a training partner with Microsoft product knowledge and training certifications, as well as a working knowledge of Microsoft 365 in Education. Synergy’s team of MS certified consultants and trainers developed custom training material that directly addressed Macquarie staff needs; from Academic to Administrative staff. Macquarie University undertook the email migration from Gmail to Office 365 for over 3,000 staff in the second- half of 2015. The project required an approach that offered a variety of training methodologies due to the differing needs of staff. The training approach accommodated a series of seminars, group training courses and hands-on labs/workshops to ensure all staff were given the opportunity to learn how Microsoft 365 would be utilised by them. University specific training materials were developed in the traditional electronic .pdf format as well as Wiki online tutorials stored in a training site on Macquarie’s servers. Goals / Challenges: Hudson Scenic Studio—a renowned scenic production company serving Broadway and major theatrical productions—was running core production systems on aging, end-of-life hardware . With limited budget and growing demands, they needed a cost-effective way to modernize their infrastructure  without disrupting business operations. Their existing environment was not only limited in storage capacity but also costly to maintain due to the power, cooling, and footprint requirements of multiple physical servers. Moreover, to support business continuity, Hudson needed a more resilient infrastructure  with simplified backup and recovery procedures  in case of hardware failure. Key challenges included: Training over 3,000 staff  with varying levels of Microsoft 365 experience—from complete beginners to advanced users. Developing custom courseware  and branded materials specific to how Macquarie would use the Microsoft 365 platform. Coordinating training logistics using an event management system  to handle scheduling, rooms, trainers, and attendees. Encouraging high attendance rates across lectures, seminars, and workshops, all within a tight four-month timeframe. Ensuring knowledge retention  post-training, with resources available for continued self-learning and onboarding. Solution/Approach: Synergy took a comprehensive approach, beginning with a university-wide Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to identify user profiles, skill gaps, and preferred learning styles. Identified “Microsoft 365 Champions”  to foster peer learning and accelerate adoption. Nine custom courses  were created, with manuals and presentation packs tailored to Macquarie’s environment. Delivered a blended learning model  with self-paced resources, in-person sessions, and drop-in support centers. Assisted the university’s IT help desk  and provided real-time support for staff needing assistance with device configuration or Microsoft 365 usage. Continuously iterated training content based on post-course feedback , ensuring sessions stayed aligned with user needs. “We created a sustainable learning model that went far beyond launch day. Macquarie now has the resources and internal capability to continue growing with Microsoft 365.” – Murray Campbell, Consulting Manager , Synergy The Results: The overall result for Macquarie University was a comprehensive program of training that introduced staff to the core features of Microsoft 365 and allowed them to hit the ground running after the launch on 14th December 2015. This assisted in a very smooth transition to the new software and allowed staff to be productive on Microsoft 365 from day one. Course attendance increased due to positive feedback and internal referrals which resulted in a far greater reach than predicted with over 2500 trainees attending classes and many more accessing online material. The training solution has provided for the future by allowing current staff to refresh themselves via the online courseware and training environment. Future training needs of any new staff that join Macquarie University have been catered for in the full-suite of high-quality relevant courseware. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Education Australia SharePoint Consulting Training SharePoint Microsoft 365 Ready to upskill your workforce with Microsoft 365? SYNERGY offers tailored, high-impact training solutions that scale with your organization’s needs—designed to engage your team, accelerate adoption, and drive real productivity.

IMC Industrial Group Teams Up with SYNERGY to Launch a Modern Digital Workplace IMC Industrial Group (IMC) embarked on a transformative journey to revamp their existing intranet, IMC Connect, into a modern, engaging, and efficient digital workplace. The goal was to create a centralized hub that would enhance employee engagement, streamline communication, and provide easy access to critical resources across their global operations. To achieve this, IMC partnered with Synergy to implement the Powell Intranet solution, leveraging SharePoint Online and other Microsoft 365 technologies. OVERVIEW: IMC Industrial Group partnered with Synergy to transform their outdated intranet into a modern digital workplace using Powell Intranet and Microsoft 365. The new platform solved key issues—limited access, complex upkeep, and low engagement—by delivering a unified design, mobile accessibility, intuitive content tools, and engaging features. Synergy’s Rapid Delivery Framework ensured smooth rollout across four countries. The result: higher engagement, easier content management, and a consistent user experience company-wide. Goals / Challenges: The legacy intranet posed several challenges, including restricted access outside the corporate network, making it difficult for remote users. It demanded time-consuming manual maintenance and lacked a cohesive design, hindering usability. These limitations, combined with a dated interface and minimal functionality, led to low employee engagement and adoption. Solution/Approach: SYNERGY implemented a Powell Intranet built on Microsoft 365, delivering a secure, scalable solution tailored to IMC’s business needs. The project was rolled out using our Rapid Delivery Framework to ensure speed and consistency across regions. Key solution components included: Unified Design and Navigation: A role-based, branded interface with consistent headers, footers, and intuitive menus ensured usability across departments. Mobile and Desktop Accessibility: Employees can now securely access the intranet from any device, whether in the office or on the move. Self-Service Content Management: Non-IT teams were empowered to manage their own pages using Powell’s intuitive dashboard, reducing IT overhead. Built-In Engagement Features: Social media feeds, alerts, and dynamic content blocks boosted participation and made the experience more interactive. Scalable Deployment and Maintenance: Powell Manager allowed seamless updates across environments, supporting long-term growth and sustainability. "This initiative pushed us to engineer a robust, scalable solution that precisely aligned with IMC Industrial Group’s operational data landscape—demonstrating Synergy’s unwavering focus on delivering measurable value in complex, industrial environments." — Milan Gross , Synergy Implementation Team The Results: The new intranet significantly boosted employee engagement through its user-friendly design and interactive features. With full mobile and desktop access, employees enjoyed greater flexibility and productivity. Content management became more efficient, easing the load on IT teams. A consistent design and intuitive navigation also enhanced the overall user experience and information sharing. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Industrial Shipping Singapore SharePoint Consulting Intranet Branding & Design Powell Microsoft 365 Is your organization still running on a legacy intranet? Let SYNERGY help you modernize your digital workplace with scalable, engaging solutions that empower your workforce.

Supporting Remote Learning at Trinity Grammar School with Nintex Workflow Cloud and Synergy Pre-K to year 12 school successfully transforms its daily attendance register to support remote learning and student safety programs by leveraging the easy and powerful automation capabilities of Nintex Workflow Cloud.  OVERVIEW: When the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden shift to remote learning, Trinity Grammar School in Sydney had just days to pivot from traditional classrooms to digital-first instruction. With over 1,600 middle and senior school students to account for each day, the school urgently needed a reliable way to track student attendance and ensure learning continuity. Long-time technology partner Synergy stepped in to help implement a secure, flexible, and fully automated digital attendance solution—delivered in just 48 hours. Goals / Challenges: In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Trinity Grammar School to pivot from in-person to remote learning with just days to prepare. This shift brought a unique set of challenges: Ensure Student Accountability : The school needed a fast, accurate method for tracking daily student attendance while continuing to follow the existing class timetable. Enable Rapid Deployment : Any solution had to be deployed and fully operational within a tight timeframe to avoid gaps in instruction. Support Remote Accessibility : The attendance system had to be device-agnostic and work seamlessly from home—whether on mobile, tablet, or desktop. Integrate with Existing Infrastructure : The solution needed to align with Trinity's existing technology stack, including Canvas LMS, SQL databases, and Single Sign-On systems. Enable Parental Notifications : Missed check-ins required a backup system to notify parents in real-time for follow-up. Solution/Approach: Having worked with Synergy for nearly a decade, Trinity relied on their deep knowledge of the school’s systems to deliver a solution fast. Together, they: Implemented Nintex Workflow Cloud  to build a responsive attendance form integrated with Canvas. Connected to SQL  databases for secure storage and real-time tracking. Automated Notifications  to send SMS alerts to parents when attendance wasn’t logged. Ensured Accessibility  by designing the system for mobile and desktop use—students could log in from any device at home. “Our work with Trinity Remote Learning showcased the critical role of technology in education, especially during unprecedented times.” — Gavin Adam, Lead Consultant, Synergy The Results: Within 48 hours, Trinity Grammar School launched a fully automated student roll call solution: Over 1,600 students  were able to log their daily attendance using the school’s Canvas LMS. Automated SMS alerts  kept parents informed and engaged. The lightweight system was device-agnostic and scalable for future remote learning scenarios. With Synergy’s help, Trinity reduced its technology footprint while increasing operational efficiency. The success of this initiative has prompted Trinity to explore additional use cases for process automation with Nintex, positioning the school for long-term digital transformation. INDUSTRY GEOGRAPHY CONSULTING software Education Australia Process Automation SharePoint Consulting SharePoint Nintex Is your institution prepared for the future of digital learning? Whether you're planning for hybrid education, remote student management, or simply want to streamline internal operations, Synergy can help. Our experts build flexible, secure solutions tailored to the needs of modern schools—fast.