Change Notes #17 | October 14, 2020
In this edition, we have a collection of great tips and insights to rev up your Microsoft Teams experience to make it a better collaboration hub with Zapier, an interesting look at how “ambidextrous” companies are successfully managing to look both forward and backward at the same time, what our role is in systemic change, a super helpful slide design time-saver that combines the best of Canva with the best of PowerPoint, and a manager’s toolkit for managing change. We hope you find it as valuable as we did.
Thanks for reading!
Turn Microsoft Teams into the ultimate collaboration hub with these automation tips:
Streamlining work and communication is a huge plus for small businesses needing to move quickly. One of Microsoft Teams' distinct advantages is its integration with Microsoft 365 products such as Excel and Outlook.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could connect all your apps to Microsoft Teams? Well, that is exactly where Zapier can help. Zapier connects thousands of apps to automate the tedious stuff by sending information from one app to another, so you don't have to hop between different apps.
Read this guide to learn more about using Zapier to connect your most important apps with Microsoft Teams.
https://zapier.com/blog/automate-microsoft-teams/
The Ambidextrous Organization
Businesses need to optimize for the present whilst also designing and creating for the future. Ambidexterity can support innovation, but also transformation. The concept of the ‘ambidextrous organization’s is meant to capture the challenge inherent in businesses being able to make steady improvements to existing models whilst still developing breakthrough innovations.
Learn some important lessons about how companies approach this challenge of simultaneously pursuing incremental innovations for existing customers whilst also developing breakthrough innovations for new ones.
https://medium.com/building-the-agile-business/the-ambidextrous-organisation-6102f72c6244
Change is Incumbent On All of Us
What is the role of leadership in the journey to systemic change? That is the question this article from CLO magazine examines. When it comes to systemic change, the fact of the matter is no one of us can do it alone. For systemic change to occur, diverse stakeholders must join together, speak out and collaborate. United around our common purpose, leaders must harness our collective power and influence to champion changes that will benefit the future of our nation. And we must do it together. Read on to learn more about what we can do to make a difference and foster systemic change?
https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2020/09/27/change-is-incumbent-on-all-of-us/
How to Design in Canva and Animate in PowerPoint
If you know me at all, you know what a big Canva fan I am. One of the biggest benefits of using Canva is the number and quality of its predefined templates. When it comes to presentations, Canva is a great place to start – even the most design-challenged among can easily create great-looking slides
But you can only go so far. That is when knowing how to take your slides over the finish line by adding some impactful animations in PowerPoint will help you stand out from the crowd. It is super simple and everyone will start asking how you did it!
https://356labs.com/blog/how-to-design-in-canva-and-animate-in-powerpoint/
A Manager’s Toolkit for Supporting Change
When an organization is making a big change, leaders must pay special attention to ideological and cultural differences to ensure they stick the landing. In this LinkedIn Learning course, you'll learn from top executives such as Lisa Bodell and Ralph Rivera how to lift the roadblocks to change by doing away with rules that stifle progress, as well as facilitate your organization's shift to digital. (Check with your local library, for free access to LinkedIn Learning.)
https://www.lynda.com/Business-tutorials/Managers-Toolkit-Supporting-Change/2848235-2.html
About the Author
Mike Taylor
With over two decades of real-life, in-the-trenches experience designing and delivering learning experiences, Mike Taylor understands that effective learning isn’t about the latest fad or trendy new tools. Known for his practical, street-savvy style, Mike is a regular and highly-rated speaker at industry events, and consults on organizational learning design and technology at Change 4 Growth in Columbus, Ohio. Mike holds an MBA degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in educational technology from San Diego State University.