From Pilot to Payoff.

Ongoing training for ongoing success

As a trainer and a change Manager, I’ve seen many products promise the world, and many companies talk about their product revolutionising the Modern Workplace.

Many don’t.

I’m generally pretty sceptical of these claims until I see it in action, but I can tell you from not only first-hand experience as a user, but also from our amazing Adopt + Innovate team deploying Copilot to over 25 customers in the last 12 months that Microsoft 365 Copilot has the genuine potential to be a game-changer. Copilot promises to boost productivity, simplify workflows, and empower teams like never before.

But as we are seeing more and more as time goes on, getting a solid return on investment (ROI) isn’t as straightforward as flipping a switch.

According to a Gartner report, about 40% of organisations are experimenting with Microsoft 365 Copilot, and another 19% are gearing up to start pilots. Yet, only 5% of those who completed pilots have taken the plunge into full-scale rollouts. So, what’s the holdup? This report highlights that figuring out the impact, value, and ROI of Copilot is still a work in progress.

One big problem is the misconception that Copilot is an instant fix for productivity issues. Dan Wilson from Gartner put it well: these tools are powerful, but they’re not plug-and-play. Without proper training and support, they can feel confusing or underwhelming. Add in challenges like risk management, data governance, and content sprawl, and it’s easy to see why some organisations feel stuck.

This is where Thoughtful Change Management and Tailored training really makes the difference. The ‘secret sauce’, if you will…

Understanding what your teams need and giving them training that’s tailored to their specific roles. Copilot isn’t a cookie-cutter solution; it shines brightest when it’s customised to fit the day-to-day tasks your team are tackling.

To make this work, you need to go beyond basic training. Employees shouldn’t just learn how to use Copilot—they should be shown why it’s valuable for their specific jobs. For example:

·      Data analysts can learn how Copilot organises complex datasets and saves time.

·      Marketing teams might get tips and save mountains of time by using Copilot for brainstorming creative campaigns and creating the accompanying visuals.

·      HR teams could find Copilot helpful for drafting policies or simplifying recruitment efforts.

How ‘Amplify’ can help

That’s why we developed Amplify, our solution designed to supercharge user adoption. Amplify offers personalised training solutions that help teams learn Copilot in ways that make sense for them. With Amplify, we create tailored training sessions, provide real-time support, and measure how well teams are adopting the tool.

It’s all about bridging the gap between Copilot’s potential and what teams can actually achieve with it. Amplify helps users go beyond surface-level functionality and truly integrate Copilot into their workflows. That’s how you get real ROI.

Copilot may be under two years old, but it’s evolving fast. The early challenges organisations face shouldn’t be seen as roadblocks. They’re opportunities to learn and fine-tune strategies. Collaboration between IT, HR, and L&D teams is key to making these strategies work.

At the end of the day, ongoing tailored training is the key to unlocking Copilot’s full potential. Understanding your teams’ needs and giving them the right tools can make all the difference. Copilot isn’t a silver bullet, but with thoughtful integration and support, it’s a powerful tool that can transform the way we work.