Knowledge Fika 2.0: Knowledge in M365 with Copilot & Content AI

Episode 26: From Communities to Metadata and Eggnog Lattes: Let’s Talk Adoption!

Jan 11, 2026

In this engaging discussion, Heather Cook, Principal Customer Experience Manager at Microsoft 365, delves into the vital role of communities in driving tech adoption. Drawing from her diverse background, Heather emphasizes that success in tech can come without coding expertise. The conversation explores the importance of metadata and content governance for Copilot readiness, along with the challenges of user-applied tagging. Heather's reflections on her career journey and insights on fostering professional relationships remind us that social connections are key to thriving workplaces!

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ANECDOTE

A Humans-First Copilot Keynote

Heather and Karuana Gatimu co-presented a humans-first Copilot keynote focused on adoption.
Heather draws on her consultancy and MVP background to shape community-led rollout guidance.

ADVICE

Stick To Core Adoption Practices

Appoint executive sponsors and run adoption in waves with a tiger team.
Heather recommends classic adoption practices still apply for AI rollouts like Copilot.

ADVICE

Use Communities As Adoption Engines

Build communities that offer peer-to-peer help and psychological safety to support change.
Use communities as channels for brainstorming, sharing prompts, and practical adoption support.

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🎙 Knowledge Fika 2.0 is here! 🎙We’re kicking off a brand-new season with a fresh focus: Microsoft 365, Content AI, and Copilot readiness.

In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Heather Cook to explore how communities drive adoption, foster belonging, and even boost retention. But Heather also shares her inspiring career journey - proof that success in tech doesn’t require a coding background! We also dive into why content governance and metadata matter more than ever for Copilot, and how Microsoft could up its game for a smoother user experience.

Plus, we sprinkle in some fika vibes (and Heather’s favourite festive treat 🍵) because social connections aren’t just nice—they’re essential for thriving workplaces.

✨ Key Takeaways:

Communities = the secret sauce for change management
Metadata is the backbone of Copilot readiness
Personal connections create lasting professional impact
Fika culture reminds us: Relationships matter!

Ready to join the conversation? Hit play and let’s fika about knowledge!Links to a few resources referenced in this episode:

Mondays at Microsoft | with Karuana Gatimu & Heather Cook
Heather Cook on Substack: Hedda’s Mix Tape | Substack
Link to the SharePoint 25th anniversary celebration live stream: SharePoint at 25: The Knowledge Platform for Copilot and Agents
Adam & Helen Harmetz’sblog; Mind the Beet | Substack

About Heather Cook:Heather is all about bringing people together and making tech feel human. She’s the Principal Customer Experience Manager in Microsoft’s M365 Customer Advocacy Group, and if you’ve ever been part of a vibrant Microsoft community, chances are Heather had a hand in it.

Before that, she was a Microsoft MVP and now runs her own consultancy, Creative Maven, where she helps brands tell their stories and create unforgettable events. Fun fact? She’s also a published playwright and theatre pro - so when Heather talks about creativity and connection, she really means it.

Get ready for an episode packed with energy, insights, a great deal of humour - and a little bit of sass!