How to Get the Most Out of Microsoft Teams with E-Valve Technologies

How to get the most out of Microsoft Teams

If you’re like most people, you only use your office chat applications for simple, everyday use — to ask someone a question or to touch base with colleagues. Wouldn’t it be great if you could do more things at once in these apps? It could be such as completing tasks and chatting with colleagues all in a single window. Perhaps you’ve already heard of Microsoft Teams’ features to accomplish this. However, how do you get the most out of the program?

The convenience of chat apps has enabled workers to cut time spent chatting with colleagues and spend more time doing their tasks. Work-related software is increasingly becoming more mobile and user-friendly, with apps like Microsoft Teams bringing together several different platforms.

Top Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks to Maximize Efficiency

You can unlock the platform’s full potential by exploring these Microsoft Teams tips and tricks. Be it for file sharing, team collaboration, or meeting setups, Microsoft Teams has features to improve productivity. Here’s how you can use that to your advantage:

Use SharePoint to Store and Share Files

You might already be using SharePoint to store files and collaborate with your teammates. Did you know that in every Teams channel, you can click the Files tab to share files from SharePoint with team members? You can also access SharePoint files already shared in the channel. Then, you can use Office Online or Office Desktop to collaborate on those files.

Forward Emails Into a Channel

Countless emails arrive in your inbox daily, and many may become buried among others. Fortunately, Microsoft simplifies the process of forwarding any email message from Outlook to a Teams channel, allowing messages to appear seamlessly on both platforms.

To forward an email, click the ellipsis (…) next to the desired channel name and select “Get email address.” Doing so generates a unique email address for the channel. You can then copy this address and use it to forward files, documents, and messages directly into Teams.

Stick With a Few Groups

While you can create as many groups within your organization as you like, going overboard can result in a cluttered messaging interface that overwhelms team members. Instead, you can create groups based on the number of projects and team members involved. Also, you can always add more if necessary.

Set Up Audio Conferencing

Teams lets you host voice meetings with groups or with just one team member. This is especially helpful when communicating with remote workers or clients. You can provide them with guest access to your Teams channel for seamless collaboration. Guest access guarantees they’re able to communicate with someone but unable to view private information.

Test Communication Strategies

Just because some of the features in Teams overlap with other Microsoft platforms such as Yammer and Skype for Business, doesn’t mean they’re all redundant. Think of it as a chance to test different communication strategies to find out what works best for you. For instance, if most of your clients have a Skype ID, you can use Skype for client calls.

Share Conversations With New Team Members

Teams make on boarding new hires easy. Rather than forwarding numerous emails and documents to new employees, use Teams to share past conversations and projects with them. This enables everyone to catch up without having to deal with cumbersome documents.

Microsoft Teams and other Office solutions are equipped with plenty of useful features that can take some time to master. You’ll be able to save time and maximize efficiency without having to spend a dime by taking advantage of these tools.

Expert IT Support for Microsoft Teams and Office Solutions

If you’re looking for expert guidance on Microsoft Teams or other Microsoft Office solutions, E-Valve Technologies is here to help. With extensive experience in managed IT services, we provide businesses in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut with custom IT support.

Let us help you make the most out of Microsoft Teams and other collaboration tools for a more productive workplace. Don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Michael Garrido

I’m Michael Garrido, founder of E-Valve Technologies—an MSP serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. I help SMBs and nonprofits stay secure, compliant, and productive with proactive IT support, Microsoft 365/Azure cloud solutions, and end-to-end cybersecurity (HIPAA, 23 NYCRR 500, SOC-2 alignment). I’m obsessed with real-world outcomes: less downtime, tighter security, and technology that actually moves the business forward. When I’m not solving IT puzzles, you’ll find me exploring the waterfront or planning our next service upgrade.

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