In recent years companies have begun to rethink traditional workplace environments, exploring other options in terms of in-person vs. remote work. While many are familiar with working from home, the hybrid office model offers a new balance, blending the benefits of both in-office and remote work. To support this shift, Microsoft has been a top choice for businesses for their comprehensive cloud services and user-friendly features including Microsoft Teams. Here are the top 5 Microsoft Teams features that empower hybrid teams to stay connected and productive, no matter where they work.
Microsoft Teams: The Heart of Hybrid Collaboration
Microsoft Teams has evolved to be far more than just a messaging and video chat service. It now serves as a hub for a secure online work environment. In a combination of all its best features, Microsoft continues to grow and add more tools to Teams for a streamlined hybrid work experience.
Top 5 Microsoft Teams Features
1. Video Conferencing and Webinar
Microsoft Teams offers high-quality video conferencing, helping teams host meetings and webinars effortlessly. Many of the video conferencing features are essential for remote and hybrid teams to stay connected, even when they’re working in different locations.
Some of the new and improved Microsoft Teams video conferencing features include:
- Screen sharing.
- Meeting recordings.
- Presenter mode.
- Webinar registration.
- Smart links and attachments.
- VoIP phone system add-on.
- Mesh for Teams
2. Integrated Messaging and Collaboration Channels
One of the main challenges of remote work is maintaining clear communication with colleagues, especially since not everyone is working at the same time or in the same place. Microsoft Teams tackles this challenge by offering user-friendly messaging and collaboration features to ensure seamless communication.
Moreover, Teams integrates effortlessly with Outlook, a tool that many businesses already rely on for email communication. This integration ensures that employees can move smoothly between platforms without missing a beat.
Recently, a new feature has been added to Outlook to help with coordination. It allows members to RSVP to meetings. This feature streamlines communication and scheduling, making it easier to manage hybrid teams.
3. Better Camera Framing
One of the largest causes of distraction during meetings is a person’s camera framing, background and positioning. A close-up shot of someone’s face can dominate the screen, while others may appear too small or distant because of poor camera placement.
To solve this, Microsoft Teams has introduced the new Surface Hub 2S Smart Camera, which optimizes the framing of participants. This tool automatically adjusts the view to ensure everyone is clearly visible, creating a more polished and professional virtual meeting experience.
4. PowerPoint Presenting Controls
Presenting in a virtual environment often comes with some challenges — especially when sharing slides. In person, you can engage directly with your audience, using eye contact and expressions to emphasize key points. However, in a video call, your face might appear in a small box, making it hard for others to follow along.
To address this, Microsoft Teams introduces two features:
- Cameo is a feature that integrates your video feed with PowerPoint. This allows you to position your video alongside your slides in a way that best suits your presentation style, keeping you visible and engaged with your audience.
- Recording Studio lets you create professional-quality, on-demand videos directly within PowerPoint. This feature is ideal for crafting polished presentations, tutorials or training videos that can be shared with your team at any time, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience no matter when or where the content is viewed.
5. Speaker Coach for Presentations
Microsoft 365’s AI-powered Speaker Coach is designed to help you improve your virtual presentation skills, offering personalized feedback that’s crucial when transitioning from in-person to virtual environments.
The tool listens to your presentation and provides valuable insights, such as identifying repetitive language or filler words like “um” and “uh.” It also tracks your speaking pace, helps you adjust your intonation, and suggests where to pause for input, all of which improve your delivery.
Ask Us How You Can Streamline Remote Work Productivity With Microsoft
If you’re looking to optimize your hybrid work setup and make the most out of Microsoft 365’s powerful features, we’re here to help.
Whether you’re navigating the complexities of remote collaboration or want to improve your virtual presentations, our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us or book a meeting, and we’ll provide personalized advice on how to boost productivity and streamline communication for your team.
Let’s unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 for your business!
Are You Aware of the Most Common Methods?
Did you know that the average cost of a data breach resulting from a ransomware attack, excluding the ransom payment, in 2022, was $4.54 million? That’s a significant amount of money to lose from a single attack.
Our free “What Is Ransomware? The Ultimate Guide” will inform you about ransomware methods and give you the latest in ransomware prevention tips.
