Unlocking Success in Microsoft Teams: A Strategic Approach to Design & Engagement

Workshop description: In today's digital workplace landscape, Microsoft Teams has become an indispensable tool for collaboration, communication, and productivity. However, merely adopting Teams is not enough to guarantee success; organizations need a well-thought-out strategy and a strong commitment to engagement. 

 This presentation, "Unlocking Success in Microsoft Teams: A Strategic Approach to Engagement," will delve into the key principles and practical strategies that drive effective Teams adoption. We will explore the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and leveraging features to analyze and enhance engagement. 

 Attendees will gain insights into best practices for Teams space design. We will also examine real-world case studies showcasing how some university groups have harnessed the power of Teams to improve productivity, streamline communication, and ultimately achieve success. Whether you are a business leader, IT Professional, or a Teams user, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make Microsoft Teams a catalyst for success in your organization.

Speaker bio: Rob Watson is the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing for the Office of the CIO and leads the Marketing and Communications team for Technology Services at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this role, Rob leads a team of digital media specialists, content creators, story tellers, and graphic designers. He is responsible for the marketing, branding, and communications strategies for services and work efforts for the Office and the CIO and Technology Services. Rob has been at the university for nine years and has been a communicator on several cross-campus and University System efforts such as Unified Communications in 2013-2014, the Wireless Expansion and Upgrade project in 2016-2017, and the TeamDynamix implementation in 2021-2022. Rob is currently heavily involved in the Microsoft Teams adoption efforts at UIUC. Outside of work, Rob enjoys spending time with his three kids and two dogs. When he isn’t at work or with kids, you’ll likely to find him umpiring softball games at area high schools, community colleges, or universities or serving as a Deputy County Clerk of Elections in McLean County.