Microsoft Innovation Podcast

Jared Matfess, a Solution Architect at AvePoint, Microsoft MVP, and author, shares his inspiring journey from aerospace to tech. He dives into the challenges of professional burnout and how rediscovering his passion through writing and Microsoft Copilot revitalized his career. Jared discusses simplifying complex AI tools for business users and shares practical use cases for Copilot Studio. He also reflects on overcoming hurdles during his book writing process, highlighting community support and the importance of adapting to rapidly changing technology.

Discover the essential skills needed for effective collaboration with AI agents. Learn how to set clear goals, feedback loops, and define success criteria for digital labor. The discussion highlights the balance of human involvement based on risk and the importance of Business Process Management in optimizing workflows. Explore the duality of excitement and apprehension surrounding AI, and uncover practical strategies for delegating tasks to agents while maintaining trust. Real-world examples and exercises will help you sharpen your delegation skills today!

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/750 Andrew Wingate shares practical insights on building applied AI capability, managing change, and leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform, especially Business Central, for scalable, efficient business solutions. From blogging and video editing to ISV ecosystems and AI agents, this episode is packed with real-world strategies for tech professionals. 🎙️ What you’ll learn   Use AI to accelerate research, writing, and data analysis Build scalable content workflows with tools like Clipchamp and CapCut Evaluate and integrate ISV solutions for Business Central Apply change management strategies in tech projects Optimise cloud storage and backup for business continuity ✅ Highlights “I use AI every day to start, support, or finish tasks.” “Clipchamp lets me edit fast with templates and assets.” “CapCut created a polished video in 30 seconds.” “Business Central has nearly 7,000 apps on AppSource.” “Successful ISVs make partners look good.” “You’ve got to build trust—honesty is essential.” “I’ve Googled a problem and found my own blog post.” “AI helps me find market share data and visualise it.” “The real go-live should be boring—everything’s tested.” “If it’s not backed up in two places, it doesn’t exist.” “I use Audible on walks to recharge and learn.” “AI is starting to influence how I speak in real life.” 🧰 Mentioned Microsoft AppSource (Business Central apps): appsource.microsoft.com Clipchamp (Microsoft video editor): clipchamp.com CapCut (AI-powered video editor): capcut.com Synology NAS (cloud storage solutions): synology.com  ✅ Keywords ai productivity, business central, microsoft power platform, isv ecosystem, clipchamp, capcut, automation tools, copilot studio, appsource, change management, synology nas, oneDrive Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/749   Founder Colin McIntosh shares how he built a consumer brand from scratch and launched a free AI-powered resume builder helping thousands navigate a shifting job market. This episode explores the future of work, the rise of solopreneurs, and how AI is reshaping hiring, branding, and business strategy. 🎙️ What you’ll learn Use AI to optimise resumes and improve job search outcomes Build a brand identity map to guide consistent messaging Navigate AI-driven hiring systems with human-first strategies Scale impressions and conversions in consumer marketing Prepare for a solopreneur future with AI as leverage ✅ Highlights “I give it away for free to anyone who can't afford it.” “AI won’t take your job, but a capitalist will.” “I realised I’m building a company for people like me.” “We sold $300,000 of pre-orders before shipping a single unit.” “You can’t fake a different brand voice.” “I used to pay $250,000 a year for customer care. Now it’s $26,000.” “People are stuck in stasis—six, nine, 12-month job searches.” “300,000 government workers laid off with no warning.” “Capital can now unlock creativity, scale, and product development.” “I created landing pages that spoke in the voice of the podcast.” “My free resume template’s been used a few million times.” “I think it’ll be a golden era for solopreneurs.” 🧰 Mentioned Sheets and Giggles - https://sheetsgiggles.com/en-ca  Sheets Resume -  https://sheetsresume.com/ Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/Techstars - https://www.techstars.com/ ✅Keywords ai resume builder, tech layoffs, solopreneur, brand identity, consumer marketing, job search, sustainable business, lyocell sheets, recruiting tools, impressions strategy, resume optimization, startup growth Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM   👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/748Joy Apple shares practical insights on Copilot adoption, governance, and information architecture. She explains how foundational data practices directly impact AI effectiveness, and why adoption must be intentional to succeed. A warm, expert conversation on making AI work in real-world business environments.🎙️ What you’ll learn     How to structure information for effective Copilot use Why governance is critical for successful AI adoption The risks of oversharing and undersharing in data environments How metadata improves findability and automation Why IT-business relationships shape technology success ✅ Highlights   “It’s governance rebranded.” “The M365 world is built to be flat- that’s where all the goodness happens.” “Copilot was like, sorry about you, no.” “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” “Under sharing means I’m not getting all the data I need.” “Productivity means less friction for the employee.” “I never met a data I didn’t like.” “Copilot will catch up.” “Thank you Microsoft for including SharePoint Advanced Management with the Copilot license.” “Adoption means the needs of my employees are being met.” “Brenda is amazing at Excel - it’s not her job to be a Microsoft 365 expert.” “The relationship between IT and the business is critical.” 🧰 Mentioned   Viva Suite: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-viva Viva Learn: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-viva/learning Purview: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/microsoft-purview Microsoft MVP YouTube Series: How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 ✅ Keywords   copilot, governance, sharepoint, metadata, microsoft 365, adoption, information architecture, purview, teams, viva, oversharing, productivity Support the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

🔴 For full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/747 Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg SmithPersonal automation that works now. Real examples beat agent hype: observe tasks, optimise setup, and automate recurring work. Scheduling with ICS, daily briefs, shopping lists, and one-off searches show clear time savings and control.Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz🎙️ What you’ll learnSpot hype and choose automations that save setup time.Use observation and RPA-style recording to find repeatable tasks.Build simple, personal apps for health and routines.Auto-schedule learning, news, and entertainment with ICS and prompts.Aggregate niche purchases and compare options without bias.✅Highlights"we're in agent slop land""they require me to do a whole bunch of work to save myself a whole bunch of time.""It should save me time and that's the time to set it up as well.""an alongside helper that's always looking at how it can make my life more friction free""that requires you to give over a lot of control""I built an app that allows me to carry out my fasting""AI is going to allow people to build the TikTok themselves""created ICS files for three to four sessions a week"🧰 MentionedRobotic Process Automation (RPA)Signal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_FoundationMeredith Whitaker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_WhittakerRebel Finance School https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/Kimi https://www.kimi.com/en/👉 Connect with the hostsMark 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/megsmithnzSubscribe, 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: personal automation, agents, rpa, observation, fasting app, kimi, gemini, ics files, camper van search, news brief, scheduling, privacy, perplexity, whatsapp Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM 👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/746  Microsoft’s Brian Shaw shares how AI and Microsoft 365 Copilot are transforming the way professionals work. From unlocking hidden features in familiar tools to managing digital agents, this episode explores how to scale productivity, delegate effectively, and build applied AI capability across your organisation. 🎙️ What you’ll learn How to unlock 100% of Microsoft 365’s features using Copilot Ways to integrate AI agents into daily workflows How to delegate effectively to digital workers Strategies to drive Copilot adoption beyond first impressions Practical use cases for Copilot in Excel, Word, Forms, and Whiteboard ✅ Highlights “Copilot can use 100% of the features if it needs to do something.” “We put Copilot where you do work.” “You click a button, you get a result — no prompt needed.” “The M365 Copilot chat is the Copilot to rule them all.” “Researcher and Analyst are like having two new team members.” “I’ve got a data scientist working for me now.” “I didn’t know Copilot could do that — I didn’t know Excel could do that.” “The Copilot you’re using today is the dumbest you’ll ever use.” “You’ll be managing a digital workforce.” “Use it for a few weeks and you’ll see how it saves you time.” “Copilot is doing things we used to do manually.” “People who don’t embrace it are the ones saying AI is taking their job.” 🧰 Mentioned Microsoft 365 Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot Microsoft Graph - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/overview Microsoft Forms - https://forms.office.com Microsoft Whiteboard - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-whiteboard/online-whiteboard Outlook with Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/everyday-ai/how-to-use-copilot-in-outlook Excel with Copilot - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/get-started-with-copilot-in-excel-d7110502-0334-4b4f-a175-a73abdfc118a ✅Keywords microsoft 365, copilot, ai agents, digital workforce, productivity, outlook, excel, word, whiteboard, researcher, analyst, microsoft graph Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM  AI is transforming business processes, but without strong foundations, organisations risk failure. In this first episode of AI Unfiltered Show, BJ Biernatowski and Jim Sinur explore how process modelling, business architecture, and digital transformation frameworks can guide responsible AI adoption. Learn how to build scalable, trustworthy systems that deliver real value.  👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/745  🎙️ What you’ll learn Apply process modelling to guide AI implementation Distinguish workflows from broader business processes Use BPM to validate and supervise AI decisions Align transformation efforts across business units Build foundational pillars for successful DTX initiatives 👉 The Packt product - https://packt.link/zAMCU 15% discount on print - use code 'NZ365BPMP' 25% discount on eBook - use code 'NZ365BPME' ✅ Highlights “AI needs adult supervision.” “Process modelling is exceptionally good at understanding the customer journey.” “The triple crown of process is increased revenue, decreased cost, and happy customers.” “You’re going to start going fast—and if the culture isn’t ready, you’ll hit a curb.” “Process is a lot about action.” “How do you know your AI agents are doing what they’re supposed to?” “Situational analysis used to take months—now it’s done in under an hour.” “The metaphor of a business process doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.” “Throwing in BPM, Lean Six Sigma, and AI is a lot for people to absorb.” “Use savings from automation to invest in innovation.” “Microsoft went faster than any company I’ve seen.” “You need stability before you scale transformation.” 🧰 MentionedMicrosoft - https://www.microsoft.com Gartner - https://www.gartner.com/en Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot Process Advisor - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/process-advisor-overview Lean Six Sigma - https://www.learnleansigma.com/guides/fundamentals-of-lean-six-sigma The Packt product - https://packt.link/zAMCU 15% discount on print - use code 'NZ365BPMP' 25% discount on eBook - use code 'NZ365BPME'Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM👉 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/744   David Fortin shares his journey from CPA to LinkedIn Learning instructor and Microsoft MVP, offering practical insights into creating professional learning content and mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot. Learn how to prompt effectively, stay current with AI tools, and apply Copilot in real-world business scenarios. 🎙️ What you’ll learn How to design and deliver a LinkedIn Learning course from concept to studio Practical Excel tips for professionals, drawn from 10 years of experience How to use Microsoft 365 Copilot for productivity across Teams, OneNote, and To Do Why prompt engineering is essential for effective AI use Strategies to stay current with fast-evolving AI tools and features ✅ Highlights “I packaged my best Excel tips from 10 years into an hour and 15 minutes.” “You hit record and it shows ‘recording’ in red at the top.” “I teach busy professionals how to make the most out of Microsoft 365 Copilot.” “It’s a machine to forecast the next word.” “I always ask—who are we helping and how?” “I comment on everyone personally—LinkedIn even blocked me once for typing too fast.” “You need to refill AI courses every time—three times now.” “Use it every day. You’ll get better by using it.” “I scroll Instagram and read the AI report newsletter daily.” “I show people how to build an agent to be more productive.” “If you say ‘help me’ instead of ‘do this,’ it’ll do two completely different things.” 🧰 Mentioned LinkedIn Learning - Excel Quick Tips - https://courses.davidpba.com/ Microsoft To Do - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-to-do-list-app AI Report newsletter - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-to-do-list-app  ChatGPT - https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5/  ChatGPT Tricks - https://techpp.com/2025/08/21/chatgpt-for-instagram-growth/  Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7 ✅Keywords linkedin learning, microsoft 365 copilot, excel tips, prompt engineering, ai productivity, gpt-5, chatgpt, onenote, teams, microsoft to do, training, content creation Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith

🔴 Full Show Notes https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/743Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg SmithCreativity is not replaced by AI. It is amplified. Meg and Mark unpack how AI frees time, widens ideas, and supports practice. They argue for redefining wealth as time to create, building human-AI teams, and using tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude to move from blank page to applied output. They ground it in gardening, branding, writing, and “vibe coding,” and echo Neil deGrasse Tyson’s call to out-create the machine.Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz🎙️ What you’ll learnReframe “will AI take jobs?” into “how will I create more value?”Build daily creative habits that AI accelerates, not replaces.Turn fuzzy ideas into drafts, designs, and prototypes fast.Use “vibe coding” to ship simple sites without a CMS.Work as human-AI teams that respect customer needs and mana.✅Highlights“Everything is gonna change.”“It’s going to allow us to step into a level of creativity like we’ve never known”“What are we going to do with all this free time”“Why don’t I bring the creativity forward into my day now”“Can we create in a different way?”“I think we will enter an era where creativity will be the golden age.”🧰 MentionedNyssa Waters https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyssawaters/Possible AI https://www.possibl.ai/PAX 8 https://www.pax8.com/Neil deGrasse Tyson https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-degrasse-tyson-680a35357/Connect with the hostsMark 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 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, creativity, human ai teams, vibe coding, chatgpt, copilot, claude, mid journey, vs code, azure, te ao māori, mana Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith