Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Mark Smith [nz365guy]

If you want to get your ideas or questions featured on an episode, please leave us a voicemail: https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/voicemail/ Dive into the future of work with the "Microsoft Innovation Podcast," exploring the intersection of People, Business, Technology, and AI.  Engage with expert guests—including thought leaders from Microsoft, industry innovators, and community specialists—who are redefining the world with advancements in AI, Cloud technologies, the Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and beyond. Every episode delivers a blend of in-depth discussions, practical insights, and actionable strategies tailored for professionals driving enablement and innovation. Join us across our five shows: The Power Platform ShowThe MVP ShowThe Copilot ShowThe Ecosystems ShowThe AI Advantage (coming soon)

  1. From Hackathons to High Impact: Building Real AI Solutions

    -13 Ч

    From Hackathons to High Impact: Building Real AI Solutions

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/729    What happens when curiosity meets courage in the tech world? In this episode, Edit Kapcari shares how she transformed imposter syndrome into innovation—leading solution development at ORBUS and mentoring rising tech talent. From building AI-powered apps at hackathons to fostering internal communities that thrive on experimentation, Edit reveals how being a “sponge” for learning can reshape careers and company culture. If you're navigating the fast-moving world of AI, leadership, or Power Platform, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.   🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Hackathons as Launchpads: How Edit used hackathons to validate ideas, build confidence, and drive real business value with AI and Power Platform. - Mentorship That Moves People: Why creating space for experimentation and failure is essential to growing tech talent. - Building Learning Cultures: The importance of hiring “sponges” and fostering internal communities that share knowledge weekly. - Balancing Tech with Mental Health: How Edit integrates meditation, conscious eating, and psychology to lead with empathy and clarity. - Navigating the AI Landscape: Insights on staying current with AI trends, from generative interfaces to agentic systems, even when it’s not part of your day job. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft's low-code development platform: https://powerplatform.microsoft.com 👉 Tools for integrating AI models: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/custom-connectors 👉Lisa Crosbie’s YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@LisaCrosbie 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    29 мин.
  2. Digital Fluency: Stop Collecting Info, Start Applying

    -1 ДН.

    Digital Fluency: Stop Collecting Info, Start Applying

    Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith 🎙️ Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/728 Digital fluency isn’t about hoarding tips or binge-watching tutorials. It’s the applied, confident use of tools to achieve outcomes. In this episode, we unpack why “skills over knowledge” matters, how to build a learn-it-all mindset, and what one level deeper looks like in daily work. You’ll hear practical ways to handle change, reduce digital risk, and use AI productively without losing your judgement. Expect clear examples, from identity scams to proposal workflows, and a simple path to turn theory into practice. Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz What you’ll learn Digital fluency = applied, confident use of tools; you can’t binge 25 years of skills in a weekend. Shift from know-it-all to learn-it-all: use curiosity, small daily changes, and personal wins to beat change fatigue. Trust is the organising principle: adopt a Zero Trust posture, and pressure-test decisions against your values. Practical AI workflow: research context, constrain scope, write section-specific prompts, export structured outputs, and read aloud to check tone and accuracy. Cybersecurity hygiene: limit oversharing, enable MFA and passkeys, review platform defaults, and sense-check content with a second pair of eyes. Highlights “You can't live life on somebody else's knowledge.” “We can't binge watch 25 years of digital skills in a weekend.” “Applied confident use of digital tools.” “Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.” Mentioned Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Graph “Learn-it-all” mindset (Satya Nadella) Zero Trust security model ProSci change management (ADKAR) Microsoft Teams Administrator certification Speechify (text-to-speech) Passkeys and multifactor authentication Instagram privacy/settings, Facebook data policies Oura Ring, 23andMe (data and vendor trust considerations) Dynamics Minds keynote reference (Donna Sarkar) Connect with the hosts Mark Smith: Blog: https://www.nz365guy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy Meg Smith: Blog: https://www.megsmith.nz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megsmithnz Support the show Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who wants to be future ready. Drop your questions in the comments or the WhatsApp group, and we may feature them in an upcoming episode. Keywords: digital fluency, digital literacy, The Intelligence Age, skills over knowledge, learn-it-all mindset, AI skills, AI productivity, prompt engineering, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot prompts, Zero Trust, cybersecurity hygiene, data privacy, social engineering, identity theft prevention Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    38 мин.
  3. Break Into Tech with No Code, No Cost, No Limits

    -2 ДН.

    Break Into Tech with No Code, No Cost, No Limits

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/727 What if you could pivot into AI and low-code development—without a technical background or a hefty tuition bill? In this episode, Luis Camino shares how Microsoft’s Power Up program is helping over 120,000 professionals worldwide build real-world AI skills through hands-on, no-cost learning. Whether you're looking to automate workflows, generate insights, or lead digital transformation in your organization, this conversation reveals how Power Up is reshaping the future of work—one cohort at a time.   🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Power Up is a free, hands-on learning academy designed to help professionals build practical AI and low-code skills, regardless of technical background. - Applied learning is central—participants work on real projects and can showcase their work to earn badges and recognition. - Mentorship and community support play a key role in learner success, with live Q&A sessions and volunteer mentors across time zones. - Enterprise teams are adopting Power Up to upskill employees and drive internal innovation, with tailored onboarding and governance support. - The curriculum is expanding to include Copilot Studio and conversational AI, with future tracks potentially covering advanced AI topics. 🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED:  👉Sign up: aka.ms/PowerUp/nz365guy  👉 Power Up Program Website: aka.ms/powerup  👉 Microsoft Power Platform: powerplatform.microsoft.com   👉 Copilot Studio: learn.microsoft.com/copilot-studio  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    24 мин.
  4. How Copilot Is Saving 40+ Minutes a Day

    3 СЕНТ.

    How Copilot Is Saving 40+ Minutes a Day

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/726 What happens when a company goes all-in on AI at scale? In this episode, Christoffer Besler Hansen shares how Atea rolled out Microsoft 365 Copilot across thousands of employees—and what they learned along the way. From surprising use cases to measurable time savings, Christoffer reveals the real-world impact of generative AI in the workplace, and why user adoption is the true key to transformation.   🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Copilot saves time fast: Most users report saving 30–40 minutes daily, with 20% saving over an hour. - Adoption beats access: Licenses alone don’t drive value—structured onboarding and communication are essential. - Project leaders and consultants benefit most: These roles see major gains in productivity and quality. - Copilot Research Agent is a game-changer: It dramatically reduces time spent on complex tasks like architectural design and meeting prep. - Executive buy-in matters: Atea’s C-suite drove early adoption and shifted the mindset from cost to value.   🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 Microsoft 365 Copilot – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot  👉 Copilot Research Agent – Part of Microsoft 365 Copilot (no separate URL mentioned) 👉 GitHub Copilot – https://github.com/features/copilot 👉 Cursor IDE – https://www.cursor.so 👉 ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    22 мин.
  5. Skill Beats Hype: Practical Ways to Augment Your Work with AI

    2 СЕНТ.

    Skill Beats Hype: Practical Ways to Augment Your Work with AI

    Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/725 Feeling behind on AI? You’re not too late. In this kickoff to the AI Advantage Show, Meg and Mark unpack the myth that “everyone is already ahead,” share why only a small group are true power users, and show how to turn fear into curiosity, then into practical skills. You will learn how to use AI as a thought partner, build adaptability in the Intelligence Age, and plug into a community that learns and teaches together, ako-style. Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz What you’ll learn - Why the “everyone is ahead” idea is a myth, and what the 10 percent power-user cliff really means for you - How to shift from knowledge to applied skill through iteration, not one-shot prompts - Ways to use AI as a thought partner so your ideas lead, and the model supports - How adaptability, curiosity, and practice compound your results over time - A simple “20 Questions” exercise that keeps outputs in your true voice - Why community matters for confidence, accountability, and momentum Highlights “It is not a ramp, it is a cliff.” “Skill beats hype. Practice, iterate, and ask better follow-up prompts.” “AI is becoming an extension of us, like the phone in your pocket.” “Ako means we learn and teach together.” Mentioned Brad Smith, Tools and Weapons: https://amzn.to/45H16sD Mark’s Tech Trailblazer 2-Minute Tuesday Read: https://pages.nz365guy.com/linkedin Connect with the hosts Mark Smith: Blog: https://www.nz365guy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nz365guy Meg Smith: Blog: https://www.megsmith.nz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megsmithnz Support the show Subscribe, rate, and share with someone who wants to be future ready. Drop your questions in the comments or the WhatsApp group, and we may feature them in an upcoming episode. Keywords: AI skills, generative AI, Copilot, prompting, Intelligence Age, digital fluency, adaptability, productivity, AI thought partner, learning community Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    23 мин.
  6. Copilot Adoption That Actually Works

    1 СЕНТ.

    Copilot Adoption That Actually Works

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/724 What if your AI adoption strategy could actually stick—and scale? In this episode, Dan Boyles, Head of AI at First AI Group, shares how his team helps businesses move beyond hype to real, measurable impact with Microsoft Copilot. From building prompt libraries to empowering champions, Dan reveals the frameworks and tactics that turn AI from a buzzword into a business advantage. Whether you're leading transformation or just getting started, this conversation is packed with insights to help you drive adoption that lasts. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Adoption must be intentional: Successful AI rollouts start with leadership buy-in, clear goals, and a phased strategy—not just flipping the switch. - Champion programs drive momentum: Identifying and empowering internal advocates is key to scaling Copilot across departments. - Prompt engineering is a skill: Effective prompts can reduce hours of work to minutes—some of Dan’s best are over 1,000 words long. - Data hygiene matters: Poor data leads to poor AI outcomes. Clean, curated content is essential to avoid hallucinations and misinformation. - Business-first mindset wins: AI should align with real business goals—whether it’s saving time, increasing revenue, or enabling new capabilities.  🧰RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉 GitHub Prompt Buddy - https://github.com/stuartridout/promptbuddy  👉 Microsoft Copilot Overview - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/for-individuals 👉 TextExpander – https://textexpander.com  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    44 мин.
  7. How to Assess AI Readiness in Your Organization

    27 АВГ.

    How to Assess AI Readiness in Your Organization

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/723   When Copilot went down for half a day, Bo Fischer Carlsen realized just how deeply embedded AI had become in his daily workflow. In this episode, Bo—an AI strategist from Copenhagen—shares how he's helping organizations move beyond the hype and into real-world implementation of Microsoft Copilot. From compliance challenges to training programs and maturity assessments, Bo offers a practical roadmap for integrating AI into business operations. Whether you're just starting with generative AI or scaling across departments, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t find in a product demo.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Copilot is becoming indispensable: Bo shares how Copilot is quietly becoming as essential as Outlook or Teams for productivity—especially once users realize how much they rely on it. - Training is critical for adoption: Successful AI integration starts with tailored training, beginning with Copilot Chat to build foundational understanding before moving into apps like Word and PowerPoint. - Compliance is a major blocker: Many organizations lack the data governance needed to safely deploy AI tools. Bo emphasizes the importance of preparing legal and compliance teams early. - Maturity assessments drive success: Bo uses multi-level assessments—individual, departmental, and organizational—to tailor AI rollouts and avoid one-size-fits-all approaches. - Expectation management matters: Users often expect Copilot to do everything. Bo advises setting realistic expectations, especially around what Copilot can and can’t do in tools like PowerPoint.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉Microsoft Copilot for M365: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot 👉 Microsoft Purview (Compliance Platform): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/compliance/microsoft-purview 👉 EU AI Act Overview: https://artificialintelligenceact.eu 👉 Microsoft Loop: https://loop.microsoft.com 👉 Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    28 мин.
  8. How Microsoft Scaled Copilot with Zero Budget

    25 АВГ.

    How Microsoft Scaled Copilot with Zero Budget

    Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 🎙️ FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/722   What happens when one person reimagines enterprise AI adoption from the ground up? In this episode, Cadie Kneip shares how she built Microsoft’s Copilot Champs community—an 8,000-strong grassroots movement—without a budget, formal mandate, or traditional training. Discover how she turned digital marketing tactics, gamification, and storytelling into a scalable model for human-first AI enablement. If you're leading tech transformation or struggling with adoption, this conversation is packed with practical inspiration.  🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Peer influence scales faster than policy: Cadie reveals why authentic, peer-led storytelling drives deeper AI adoption than top-down training. - Gamification works—even without a budget: Learn how badges, leaderboards, and playful incentives created momentum across Microsoft. - Short-form content beats polished production: Bite-sized GIFs and clips proved more effective than high-production training videos in a fast-changing tech landscape. - Digital marketing tactics apply to enterprise learning: Cadie adapted campaign strategies to build a thriving internal community. - You don’t need a big team to make a big impact: With just one person and smart automation, Microsoft scaled Copilot readiness to thousands.  🧰 RESOURCES MENTIONED: 👉Learn more about Microsoft’s Copilot Champs Community Driving Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption with Our Copilot Champs Community Return to Summer Camp: Making Microsoft 365 Copilot Fun with Camp Copilot Unlock your productivity: Here's our Top 10 tips for using Microsoft 365 Copilot every day 👉 Clipchamp - https://www.clipchamp.com  Support the show If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin. Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

    35 мин.
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If you want to get your ideas or questions featured on an episode, please leave us a voicemail: https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/voicemail/ Dive into the future of work with the "Microsoft Innovation Podcast," exploring the intersection of People, Business, Technology, and AI.  Engage with expert guests—including thought leaders from Microsoft, industry innovators, and community specialists—who are redefining the world with advancements in AI, Cloud technologies, the Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and beyond. Every episode delivers a blend of in-depth discussions, practical insights, and actionable strategies tailored for professionals driving enablement and innovation. Join us across our five shows: The Power Platform ShowThe MVP ShowThe Copilot ShowThe Ecosystems ShowThe AI Advantage (coming soon)

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