Tools we use daily can make or break our success. From managing emails to collaborating on projects, software like Office 365 has become the beating heart of modern businesses. But here’s the thing: having access to these tools isn’t enough. To truly thrive, your employees need to know how to make the most of them. That’s where staff training comes in, here’s where SR1 Development comes in.

Why is Staff Training So Important?

Imagine having a shiny new car but not knowing how to drive it. Sure, it looks impressive in the garage, but it’s not doing much for you. The same principle applies to software. Without proper training, employees might struggle to navigate the ins and outs of programs like Office 365. They might use only a fraction of the available features, missing out on opportunities to streamline workflows and boost productivity.

What we like to say is: All the gear and no idea.

How Training Transforms Everyday Work

Let’s break down how staff training in everyday software like Office 365 can change the way we work:

1. Increased Productivity: When employees know their way around software, tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes. From crafting polished presentations to organizing team schedules, efficiency skyrockets. Shortcuts are our best friend.
2. Enhanced Collaboration: Office 365 is designed for teamwork, but effective collaboration requires more than just shared access. With training, employees can master features like co-authoring in Word and real-time editing in Excel, fostering seamless teamwork regardless of physical location. We’re in the 21^st Century and your internal processes or systems should be too.
3. Streamlined Communication: Email overload is a real problem in many workplaces. By mastering tools like Outlook which comes as part of Office 365, employees can learn to manage their inboxes more effectively, reducing clutter and ensuring important messages don’t get lost in the shuffle.
4. Improved Data Security: In an age of cyber threats, data security is massively important. With training, employees can learn best practices for safeguarding sensitive information, minimizing the risk of data breaches and protecting both the company and its clients. This can often be overlooked however we take security extremely seriously on all accounts.
5. Empowerment and Confidence: There’s something empowering about knowing you can tackle any task thrown your way. By investing in staff training, employers empower their teams to take on new challenges with confidence, fostering a culture of growth and innovation. Keeping your staff happy should be one of your main priorities. 

Invest in tomorrow

But the benefits of staff training extend far beyond the confines of the office. By equipping employees with valuable skills, employers enhance their prospects both within and outside the organisation:

1. Career Advancement: In today’s competitive job market, continuous learning is key to staying ahead. Employees who receive regular training are better positioned to take on leadership roles and advance their careers within the company instead of moving onto other things.
2. Marketability: For job seekers, proficiency in widely used software like Office 365 can be a major selling point. By demonstrating their expertise, candidates can make themselves more attractive to potential employers, opening doors to exciting new opportunities.
3. Retention and Loyalty: Investing in employee development sends a powerful message: you value your team members not just for what they can do today, but for the potential they hold tomorrow. This sense of investment fosters loyalty and reduces turnover, saving both time and money in the long run.

The Competitive Edge

In today’s market, attracting top talent is more challenging than ever. But here’s a top tip: offering robust staff training programs can make you stand out from the crowd. Potential hires are drawn to employers who prioritise professional development, seeing it as a sign of a supportive and forward-thinking workplace culture.

Staff training isn’t just a checkbox on the HR to-do list—it’s a powerful tool for transformation. By investing in the skills and knowledge of their workforce, employers unlock a world of possibilities, driving productivity, fostering growth, and cementing their status as employers of choice. So, the next time you fire up Office 365, remember: with the right training, the sky’s the limit.

Based in Newcastle and interested in Office 365 training? Find out more by speaking to a member of the team today.

SR1 Development have a long standing relationship with the North East LEP. 

Background 

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership work with partners to develop a more competitive economy for the North East, Helping to create more and better jobs for everyone. 

They approached SR1 Development in 2020 to assist with implementing a SharePoint Online intranet, and to start digitizing several paper based processes. 

The Approach 

SR1 Development and the NELEP have worked together closely over the past 4 year, building very strong working relationships to help develop a best in class intranet and collaboration platform. 

The Result 

Implementation of a strongly branded intranet, ensuring colleagues across the organisation have easy access to latest news, events, templates, policies and documents. 

Implementation of a suite of PowerApps to replace paper-based processes for: 

• Leave management 
• Flextime 
• Credit card request 
• Travel expenses 
• Gifts and hospitality record 
• Employee sickness 
• Purchase Order request 
• Delegated decisions 
• And many more… 

Feedback 

“We love working with SR1 Development! The service we receive from Steve and the team is exceptional. We have a fantastic working relationship which is built on trust and the knowledge we know Steve and the team will deliver an excellent product every time. Steve has a wealth of knowledge in SharePoint and Microsoft and is extremely adept at communicating it in a simple way to us ‘non-tech’ folks! He always reacts positively and with a great solution to any request we put his way. Steve and the team are always on hand to support with any query big or small and always replies promptly.  

The work SR1 have carried out for LEP has been transformational for our team. We now have online systems which work seamlessly compared to paper or Word and Excel based systems we used previously. The intranet has become a central information point for the team where they can easily access information they need. Almost every member of our organisation has expressed how much the intranet has improved their way of working, in particular our managers. Our new starters have also commented on how well it is designed and it’s functionality compared with other organisations they’d worked in. We are continuing to add new sections and build forms with SR1 guiding us on what is possible.” 

Rebecca Kinmond – Programme Manager 

In this blog post, we will delve into the incredible potential of Power Automate and how it can revolutionise your business processes, saving you time and resources while boosting productivity and accuracy. 

1. What is Power Automate? 

Power Automate is a powerful workflow automation tool that’s part of the Microsoft Power Platform. It allows you to create automated workflows that connect various apps, services, and systems to work seamlessly together. With Power Automate, you can automate tasks, notifications, approvals, and much more, all without the need for extensive coding. 

2. Streamline Routine Tasks: 

Imagine this: No more manual data entry, no more repetitive form-filling, and no more chasing down approvals. Power Automate can automate all these mundane tasks and more. For instance, when a new lead is added to your CRM, Power Automate can automatically notify the sales team, create a follow-up task, and even send a personalised welcome email to the prospect. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency and accuracy in your processes. 

3. Enhance Collaboration: 

Power Automate seamlessly integrates with Office 365 applications like SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook. This means you can automate document approval workflows, schedule, and send reports, or even automate the creation of team tasks and events. Collaborative projects become smoother and more efficient when everyone is on the same page, and Power Automate helps you achieve just that. 

4. Connect Your Favourite Apps: 

One of the incredible strengths of Power Automate is its extensive library of connectors. You can connect your favourite apps, both Microsoft and third-party, to create integrated workflows. For example, you can automatically post social media updates, create new tasks in project management tools, or even update your CRM based on customer interactions on your website. The possibilities are virtually limitless. 

5. Boost Productivity and Reduce Errors: 

By automating repetitive tasks, Power Automate not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of human errors. Your team can focus on high-value tasks, creativity, and problem-solving, while Power Automate takes care of the routine. 

6. Real-time Insights and Notifications: 

With Power Automate, you can set up real-time notifications for critical events. For instance, receive instant alerts when a high-priority email arrives or when an important file is modified in SharePoint. This ensures that you’re always in the know, even when you’re on the move. 

7. Customised Solutions: 

At SR1 Development, we understand that every business is unique. That’s why we specialise in crafting custom Power Automate solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether it’s automating HR processes, managing customer interactions, or simplifying your project management, we can help you harness the full potential of this remarkable tool. 

Conclusion: 

In today’s fast-paced business world, efficiency is the key to staying ahead of the competition. Power Automate is the secret weapon that will supercharge your business processes, enhance collaboration, and free up your team’s time for strategic initiatives. It’s time to automate the routine and unleash your business’s full potential. 

If you’re ready to streamline your business and take it to new heights, SR1 Development is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together. 

Here at SR1 Development, we work to nurture and develop existing partnerships. We’ve had the pleasure of getting to work with Karbon Homes again, this time to migrate their existing EDMS management system from SharePoint 2019 to Sharepoint Online.

Background 

Karbon Homes covers the North East of England and Yorkshire, with around 32,000 homes across diverse communities, all facing different opportunities and challenges. 

They are focused on delivering three strategic aims – to provide as many good quality homes as they can, to deliver excellent service to customers, and to shape strong, sustainable places for their communities. 

The Approach 

Karbon homes had already implemented a robust internal EDMS system to integrate their Housing Management System with SharePoint on Premise.  

They approached SR1 Development to support with the rebuild and enhancement of this in Office 365 set up. 

The Result 

We implemented and launched several SharePoint Online sites, interconnected via a hub site, providing the information colleagues needed instant access to. Key elements included: 

• Custom webpart to allow users to easily upload and tag documents. 
• Azure integration to transform tagged documents to standard naming conventions. 
• Automatic application of labels based on document properties to meet retention requirements. 
• Central search for simple retrieval of documents. 
• Integration with Housing Management system to upload and retrieve documents. 
• Automatic creation of new document repositories. 

Feedback 

“We have a great relationship with SR1 from previous developments and we knew we could rely on them to deliver a quality and professional service to help us reach our desired outcome.  

Their expertise enabled us to reach our goal in migrating our existing housing EDMS management system to SharePoint Online, seamlessly. They were so accommodating throughout and very meticulous with our requirements. We look forward to working with SR1 again in the future”. 

Adam Day – Systems Engineer 

We have recently worked in partnership with Dimensions UK to implement a new intranet, document management system, and digitise internal processes.

Background 

Dimensions Group works not only in Newcastle Upon Tyne but across the whole of England and Wales with around 7000 staff supporting over 4000 people with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families.

They are a not-for-profit organisation (and Dimensions (UK) Limited is a Registered Provider of Social Housing), providing a range of care, support and accommodation.  

The objective of the project was to create efficiency in how Business Support services are consumed by all colleagues, by exploiting existing or dormant functionality and adding additional solutions as necessary, delivering an intuitive and easily navigable solution to colleagues which would: 

• Reduce current pressures on managers who act as the conduit on queries from support staff to Business Support – helping to create capacity in those roles.  
• Create capacity in Business Support functions by automating responses to transactional and high-volume queries.  
• Provide a better ‘employee experience’ for support staff – who can access a 24/7 service 
• Deliver consistency in practice by providing access to consistent information and a central resource for policies and procedures, delivering one single destination of accuracy in colleague related information. 

The Approach 

SR1 Development worked closely with internal stakeholders to fully understand the challenges with the previous intranet and design a best in practice solution that met the requirements of colleagues across the organisation. 

By working closely through a series of workshops we were able to understand the current challenges and show the art of the possible through prototypes. 

Throughout the project there was a real alignment between SR1, and internal Dimensions colleagues, which resulted in a really strong partnership. 

The Result 

We implemented and launched a rich SharePoint intranet, joining a multitude of interconnected hub sites, providing the information colleagues needed instant access to. Key elements included: 

• Visually engaging and consistent sites 
• Clear structured navigation 
• Custom Search and document tags at the forefront 
• Document review processes. 
• Content approval processes. 
• Integrated chatbot to answer questions, and help colleagues easily find the information required 
• Implementation of a series of online forms using PowerApps and PowerAutomate, to simplify internal processes. 

The Feedback 

“We specifically selected a small agency who were able to work closely with our teams and we received a high-level of bespoke service because of this. 

We were delighted with the expertise, professionalism and focus of SR1. They led us through a complex project, keeping things simple for us at all times. They were accommodating of our changing needs. And feedback from their interactions with 20+ Dimensions content managers was uniformly excellent. I would absolutely work with them again, and unhesitatingly recommend to others.” 

Duncan Bell – Head of Marketing & External Communications 

Welcome to my series on how to get the best out of Microsoft Office 365.

I’m Lesley, I’m the Project Administrator here at SR1 Development. This series is about how I use Office 365 to assist me not just with planning, organisation and project management, but also how to stay motivated and inspired.

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