Beyond the Feature

Dr. Patrick Jones

This show is for people who want to update their workflows to take advantage of their Microsoft 365 investment. We talk about measurable results by fixing workflows, not teaching features in isolation. There are special episodes and the awesome Spotlights interviewing people actually doing the work! Hosted by Dr. Patrick Jones. Practical concepts, change tactics, and metrics. References the Microsoft 365 Companion Series (Amazon) and online courses (Olympus Academy) as part of a complete enablement plan for effective change. www.beyondthefeature.com

  1. 4h ago

    Beyong the Feature Episode 52 - AI ROI

    Leadership buys the licenses. IT enables the features. Someone sends a company-wide email saying "we have Copilot now." And then... nothing much changes. Why do so many organizations invest in enterprise AI tools only to see minimal return? In this milestone 1st-anniversary (Episode 52) of Beyond the Feature, I break down why the ROI of AI doesn't come from the license. It comes from the enablement. Drawing on real-world practitioner experience through AuditSolv, this episode explores the practical, phased framework organizations need to turn AI from an expensive autocomplete into a true capability multiplier. Whether you're an IT decision-maker, business leader, or M365 administrator, this deep dive covers: • Why AI ROI is Different: Understanding why AI acts as a human capability amplifier rather than an automated process replacement. • Layer One (Policy & Governance): How clear guardrails, approved tool lists, and data-handling rules actually accelerate adoption instead of blocking it. • Layer Two (Data Readiness): Fixing Purview sensitivity labels, permissions hygiene, and SharePoint architecture before Copilot surfaces things it shouldn't. • Layer Three (Tiered Training): Why a single lunch-and-learn fails, and how to structure specific training tracks for Leadership, Administrators, and End Users. • The ROI Math: Breaking down license cost vs. time saved (30–60 minutes per employee daily) when proper enablement is in place. • The AuditSolv Approach: What an organizational readiness assessment and a phased rollout actually look like in practice. Technology gives you the tools, but readiness gives you the return. Watch to learn how to bridge the gap between "we bought AI" and "AI is changing how we work!" www.drpjj21.com www.olympusacademypress.com www.beyondthefeature.com www.auditsolv.com learn.olympusacademy.net www.centerofaiexcellence.com Comment! Like, share, hype, follow, donate, whatever else you want to do! #AIROI #EnterpriseAI #MicrosoftCopilot #TechLeadership #BeyondTheFeature #DigitalTransformation #AIAdoption #CloudGovernance #ChangeManagement #BusinessStrategy #Microsoft365 #auditsolv

  2. Oct 26

    Beyond the Feature Episode 51 - AI Prompt Engineering

    Are you tired of typing a request into ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, getting a generic response, and concluding the tool isn't worth the hype? The truth is, AI tools are extraordinarily capable—but they respond directly to the quality of your instructions. In this episode of Beyond the Feature, I break down Prompt Engineering for Real People. No technical background or coding knowledge required! Learn how to stop treating AI like a vending machine and start treating it like a brilliant, responsive thinking partner. Whether you're a small business owner, school administrator, nonprofit director, or operations lead, this deep dive covers: • Why Vague Prompts Fail: The mental model of treating AI like a brilliant new colleague who needs your context. • The Five Elements of a Great Prompt: Step-by-step breakdowns (with concrete before-and-after examples) of Role, Context, Format, Examples, and Constraints. • Prompting Different Copilot Modes: How to talk differently to conversational Copilot Chat, action-oriented Copilot Cowork, and autonomous Copilot Scout. • The Power of Iteration: Why the first response is just a draft, and how follow-up prompting gets you 80% closer to what you actually need. • The "What About Bob" Strategy: A practical, phased approach to building sustainable prompt habits without feeling overwhelmed. • Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Fixing one-word prompts, forgetting your audience, and protecting your data integrity. Better instructions lead to dramatically better results. Watch to upgrade your daily workflow and make AI genuinely useful for your actual work! www.drpjj21.com www.olympusacademypress.com www.beyondthefeature.com www.auditsolv.com learn.olympusacademy.net Comment! Like, share, hype, follow, donate, whatever else you want to do! #PromptEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #BeyondTheFeature #MicrosoftCopilot #ChatGPT #AIProductivity #TechSkills #DigitalLiteracy #WorkplaceTech #EnterpriseIT #AIStrategy

  3. Oct 19

    Beyond the Feature Episode 50 - What is Zero Trust?

    If you've heard the phrase "Zero Trust" thrown around by IT teams or vendor presentations but never got a clear explanation, you aren't alone. For years, network security operated like a medieval castle: build strong perimeter walls, and trust anyone inside. But with cloud computing, hybrid work, and AI-driven cyber threats, the old "castle and moat" model has broken down. In this episode of Beyond the Feature, Dr. Patrick Jones breaks down Zero Trust in plain language—no technical engineering background required. Designed specifically for business leaders, school administrators, nonprofit directors, and decision-makers, this episode explores why security is no longer about where you log in, but who is logging in. Whether you are managing an enterprise team or setting operational strategy, this deep dive covers: • The Death of the Perimeter Model: Why traditional VPNs and castle walls stopped working when work moved everywhere. • What Zero Trust Actually Means: The core principle of "Never Trust, Always Verify" and how concepts like multi-factor authentication and least privilege access keep organizations safe. • The 2026 Security Landscape: Real data on why third-party breaches, rising data breach costs, and AI-powered attacks make Zero Trust a baseline requirement rather than an optional buzzword. • Zero Trust in Action: Everyday examples of Conditional Access, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring. • The Leader’s Checklist: Five strategic questions every non-technical leader should ask their IT team or technology partner today. Security isn't just an IT problem—it's a leadership responsibility. Watch to learn how to ask the right questions, resource security appropriately, and protect your organization's future! www.drpjj21.com www.olympusacademypress.com www.beyondthefeature.com www.auditsolv.com learn.olympusacademy.net Comment! Like, share, hype, follow, donate, whatever else you want to do! #BeyondTheFeature #auditsolv #olympusacademy #Microsoft365 #M365 #ZeroTrust #CyberSecurity #InformationSecurity #EnterpriseIT #TechLeadership #IdentityManagement #CloudSecurity #DigitalTransformation #BusinessStrategy

  4. Oct 12

    Beyond the Feature Episode 49 - Responsible AI

    With over 400 million people regularly using AI assistants, the conversation has shifted from "can AI do the work?" to "how do we use it responsibly?" Whether in the workplace or the classroom, treating AI as a shortcut rather than a leverage tool creates real risks. In this episode of Beyond the Feature, Dr. Patrick Jones explores the true meaning of Responsible AI. Moving beyond fear-based bans and careless misuse, this episode breaks down the core ethical and practical frameworks you need to navigate the AI era successfully. Whether you're an IT leader, an organizational professional, an educator, or a student, this deep dive covers: • The Two Failure Modes: Why outright bans and unchecked non-use both cost organizations and individuals real value. • The 7 Domains of Responsible AI: A comprehensive look at Transparency, Accuracy & Reliability, Privacy & Data Protection, Fairness & Bias, Human Oversight, Integrity, and Wellbeing. • Real-World Scenarios: Concrete examples for educators, enterprise professionals, and students on how to use AI to enhance critical thinking rather than bypass it. • The Enterprise Perspective: How enterprise boundaries (like Microsoft 365 Copilot) combat shadow AI and protect sensitive organizational data. AI amplifies what you bring to it. Watch to learn how to build a governance-first approach to technology and ensure human judgment stays firmly at the center! https://learn.olympusacademy.net/courses/ResponsibleAI Coupon Code for FREE Access BTF www.drpjj21.com www.olympusacademypress.com www.beyondthefeature.com www.auditsolv.com learn.olympusacademy.net www.cyera.com Comment! Like, share, hype, follow, donate, whatever else you want to do! #BeyondTheFeature #auditsolv #olympusacademy #Microsoft365 #M365 #ResponsibleAI #AIEthics #BeyondTheFeature #ArtificialIntelligence #EnterpriseIT #DigitalLiteracy #Copilot #ShadowAI #TechGovernance #EdTech #FutureOfWork

  5. Oct 5

    Beyond the Feature Episode 48 - Demystifying Microsoft E7

    In this episode of Beyond the Feature, I break down everything you need to know about E7—moving beyond licensing spreadsheets to explore how work, AI agents, and enterprise governance are shifting. Whether you’re an IT decision-maker, an organizational leader, or just curious about where the Microsoft ecosystem is heading, this deep dive covers: • Why E7 Exists: Moving from human-only software licensing to managing hybrid human-and-AI workflows. • Full Component Breakdown: What you get across Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft 365 Copilot, the full Entra Suite (including Agent ID), Agent 365, Teams Premium, Viva, and Clipchamp. • The Cost Breakdown & ROI: Build-it-yourself vs. bundle pricing math, including current promotional details through December 2026. • Why E7 Matters at Any Tier: Key takeaways on AI governance, data classification, and security philosophy whether you are on E3, E5, or E7. • Honest Caveats: Managing consumption billing models for agentic AI like Copilot Cowork and preparing your underlying data before upgrading. Governance shouldn't be an afterthought—it should be built in from day one. Watch to learn how to evaluate your organization's readiness and maximize your Microsoft 365 investment! www.drpjj21.com www.olympusacademypress.com www.beyondthefeature.com www.auditsolv.com learn.olympusacademy.net Comment! Like, share, hype, follow, donate, whatever else you want to do! #BeyondTheFeature #auditsolv #olympusacademy #Microsoft365 #M365 #MicrosoftE7 #Copilot #EnterpriseIT #TechGovernance #Agent365 #EntraSuite #TeamsPremium #ITStrategy #CloudLicensing

About

This show is for people who want to update their workflows to take advantage of their Microsoft 365 investment. We talk about measurable results by fixing workflows, not teaching features in isolation. There are special episodes and the awesome Spotlights interviewing people actually doing the work! Hosted by Dr. Patrick Jones. Practical concepts, change tactics, and metrics. References the Microsoft 365 Companion Series (Amazon) and online courses (Olympus Academy) as part of a complete enablement plan for effective change. www.beyondthefeature.com