Get featured on the show by leaving us a Voice Mail: https://bit.ly/MIPVM

👉 Full Show Notes
https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/752

Jared Matfess shares his journey from aerospace to Microsoft MVP, navigating burnout, rediscovering purpose, and diving deep into Microsoft Copilot Studio. With a passion for simplifying complex tech, Jared explains how he helps professionals understand and apply AI tools in real-world enterprise settings.

🎙️ What you’ll learn

• How to simplify complex AI tools for business users
• Lessons from implementing SharePoint under strict compliance
• Strategies for recovering from professional burnout
• How to approach writing and publishing a tech book
• Practical use cases for Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio

✅ Highlights

• “I found myself having to become a pseudo data security expert really fast.”
• “Anybody can share their story.”
• “It felt so good helping other people that I kind of got like that little high.”
• “I hit the wall hard. I had a hard time getting out of bed.”
• “Copilot to me was actually a huge catalyst for that.”
• “They're literally attacking us with Copilots.”
• “How do you keep up with the Copilots?”
• “I like to say I’m a Jared of all trades.”
• “I wrote chapter 14 with having no Copilot Studio experience.”
• “Microsoft pushed an update, broke everything.”
• “It was a fun and stressful time being a solo author on an ever-changing book.”
• “The village kind of lifted me up, which was a pretty cool feeling.”

🧰 Mentioned

• Microsoft Copilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/
• Microsoft Copilot Studio - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/microsoft-copilot-studio/
• M365 Copilot at Work (Book on Amazon) - https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-365-Copilot-At-Work/dp/1394258372
• Sharepoint 2010 - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/previous-versions/microsoft-sharepoint-2010
• Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzf0yupPbVkqdRJDPVE4PtTlm6quDhiu7

✅ Keywords
microsoft copilot, copilot studio, sharepoint, ai skills, burnout recovery, enterprise tech, mvp program, data security, power automate, crm integration, tech storytelling, book writing

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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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/751

Hosts: Mark Smith, Meg Smith

Humans need sharper collaboration and delegation to work with AI agents as digital labour. The episode maps how to brief agents with clear goals, definition of done, checkpoints, and feedback loops, and when to keep humans in the loop by risk. Expect interfaces like Microsoft Teams surfacing agent actions while BPM and process mining reshape workflows. The hosts weigh responsibility, repeatability, and trust, noting variability in large language models and law such as the EU AI Act. Practical exercises and consumer examples show how to build these skills now.

Join the private WhatsApp group for Q&A and community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0iyXcUVhpl9um7DuKLYEz

🎙️ What you’ll learn

• Define goals, constraints, and a clear definition of done for agent tasks.
• Set feedback loops, checkpoints, and timeframes to prevent rework.
• Calibrate human-in-the-loop oversight by risk tier and impact.
• Use BPM and process mining to prepare and optimise workflows for agents.
• Practise explicit, testable instructions to improve delegation and collaboration.

✅Highlights

• “what are the human skills that we need to learn to work with AI better.”
• “software-based labor that partners with humans on specific processes.”
• “We can't be future-proofed anymore. The best we can hope for is future ready.”
• “delegation being an important skill for people who are going to be working with and instructing agents to do tasks.”
• “I think that the human to human collaboration is going to be such an important part.”
• “What does the definition of done look like?”
• “Parkinson's Law states that you will stretch out the completion of your task until they fill the time available to complete them.”
• “how should responsibility be managed when these agents make mistakes?”
• “communication happens at the listener's ear, not at the speaker's mouth.”

🧰 Mentioned

• Business Process Management (BPM) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_management
• Bon Appétit YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpMy0Fg74eXXkvxJrtEn3w
• Lisa Crosbie YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/lisacrosbie
• Parkinson's Law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
• The Four Hour Work Week https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_4-Hour_Workweek

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

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.

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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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/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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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/748

Joy 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 show

If 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 Smith

Personal 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 learn

• Spot 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"

🧰 Mentioned

• Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
• Signal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Foundation
• Meredith Whitaker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Whittaker
• Rebel Finance School https://rebeldonegans.com/finance/rfs/
• Kimi https://www.kimi.com/en/

👉 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

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:
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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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.”

🧰 Mentioned

• Microsoft - 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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If 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/CopilotAdoption

Support the show

If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.

Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith