When you subscribe to Microsoft 365, there’s a lot the service can offer to your small business. From keeping in touch with employees in Microsoft Teams, checking emails in Outlook, organizing tasks in Planner, or checking files in Delve, each app in Microsoft 365 can help boost your business operations. Here’s a look at some of these apps, and how they can help accelerate your small business and ultimately your productivity.
Microsoft Teams
Of course, the first pick on our list is Microsoft Teams. With Microsoft Teams, you’ll be able to bring the workplace online and chat, video call, or keep in touch with your employees regardless of their location, for no added cost to your subscription.
Teams also plugs in with the rest of the Microsoft 365 apps (like Word) without leaving the dedicated Teams app. There are even some added bonus features like Shifts, which can allow you to manage your worker’s hours, time off, time clocks, and more. Other features of teams include its integration with third-party apps, file management through OneDrive, and so much more. We’ve covered these topics extensively over the past few months, and our Teams news hub has you covered if you’re looking to get started with Teams.
Outlook
Second on our list is Outlook. As an emailing service, Outlook offers you plenty of value and ways to connect with your customers and your employees alike. With most Microsoft 365 subscriptions, you have access to the dedicated Outlook app on Windows and MacOS, as well as on the web. The Outlook desktop app allows you to set meetings, password protect sensitive emails, translate emails, and a lot more. There’s a lot to it, and it can shape up to be so much more than just emails. This is especially true when combined with OneDrive, and the ability to send large attachments out to customers and your employees.
Microsoft Whiteboard
Next up is a Microsoft 365 app you probably haven’t heard of — Microsoft Whiteboard. This app is a freeform, digital canvas where people, content, and ideas come together. With Whiteboard, you can drop down notes and drawings to help your employees and your team accomplish goals and activities, regardless of their location. It’s perfect for brainstorming, team planning, project planning, or problem-solving. The app can be installed from the Microsoft Store, or you can check it out on the web too.
Planner
Fourth in the list is Microsoft Planner. This app lets you manage the tasks happening across your small business. It’s included with Microsoft 365 and is an alternative to paid services like Kalo or Trello. With Planner, you’re able to assign tasks to your employees and track them and arrange your tasks visually in “bucket” lists and “boards.” You can then categorize tasks based on their status or on whom they’re assigned to. There’s even the ability to attach files, preview files without having to leave the app. Planner works across all devices and is seamless and even integrates with Microsoft Teams for added convenience.
Delve
Wrapping up our list is Microsoft Delve. This app in Microsoft 365 can be used to discover and organize the information that is most interesting to you on any given day, from across Microsoft’s apps and services. Essentially, if your employees are always sharing files and making them public through OneDrive or SharePoint, this app will help improve discoverability. You and your employees are able to find the files you need, from one single interface. Delve even features a profile option, which helps your employees connect with each other and share documents. You can learn more about the Delve experience in our hands-on here.
We’ve got you covered!
These are just the top 5 apps that we think can accelerate your small business. Microsoft 365 offers a lot more that we didn’t touch on in this one post. We invite you to check out our Microsoft 365 hub for more and to leave a comment in the section below to let us know how you’re using your subscription.
