The Silver Bullet for Improving Your Business (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

When business leaders talk about improvement, the conversation often drifts toward technology. Buy the latest app, implement the newest platform, and voilà—problems solved. Except… that rarely works. Why? Because starting with technology is backward thinking.

The real key to improvement isn’t a tool—it’s a question. A simple, powerful question that reframes how you approach challenges and opportunities:
“How might Teams, Copilot, or any Microsoft 365 app improve this situation?”

That’s it. That’s the magic. Instead of chasing shiny objects, start with the problem or the opportunity. Then look at the tools you already own and ask how they can help. You’re paying for Microsoft 365—why not squeeze every drop of value out of it?

Why This Works (and How to Apply It)

Most businesses get stuck because they implement technology without a clear purpose. Flip that thinking. Begin by brainstorming all the tasks your team does around collaboration and information management. Make a big list—50 or 60 items. Trust me, people love pointing out pain points.

Next, prioritize that list based on impact. Which processes, if streamlined, would move the needle the most? Then, have someone who knows Microsoft 365 evaluate those top items for complexity, effort, and cost. You’ll be surprised how many fixes take minutes, not months.

Here’s the kicker: don’t just look for broken processes. Look for time-consuming ones. A workflow that runs perfectly but eats up an hour of every employee’s day is a golden opportunity. Cut that time in half and you’ve freed up hundreds of hours a year—time that could go toward serving customers, winning new business, or creating value.

Your Roadmap to Real Improvement

Once you’ve identified your top priorities, weigh each item’s impact against the effort to improve it. That’s your roadmap. Start with the biggest wins for the least effort. And if you don’t have a Microsoft 365 expert on speed dial, find one. A single hour with the right person can uncover opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

Improving your business isn’t about chasing the next big thing. It’s about asking better questions, leveraging what you already have, and making smart, targeted changes. Start today. Make your list. Ask the question. And watch your business transform.

Ready to Explore Your Opportunities?

If you’d like a fresh perspective on your list, we offer a free one-hour consultation to help you uncover quick wins using the Microsoft 365 tools you already own. No strings attached—just practical advice and actionable ideas. Start turning pain points into progress today.