If all those responsibilities make you feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten UK employees say they’ve experienced high or extreme pressure in the last year.

You probably can’t cut your to-do list in half — at least, not if you want to advance your career. But you can get more done with less stress with these time management tips.

Spotting the signs of poor time management

Sometimes, it’s hard to recognise that your time management skills are lacking. Sure, you might be crossing things off your list and meeting most of your deadlines. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being productive — or finding a healthy work-life balance.

You probably need help managing your time if:

• You’re always scrambling to hit deadlines at the last minute.
• Most days, you add more to your agenda than you finish.
• Important tasks at home keep getting overlooked, until you realise you haven’t vacuumed in weeks.
• You constantly stay late at the office or spend half your Saturday working to get everything done.
• Sometimes, you don’t even know what to start working on.
• You rarely have time to upskill, so you feel like you’re falling behind your colleagues.

Look out for sneaky time wasters, too. You might spend hours reading emails or trudging to boring meetings. Or maybe you’re multitasking all the time, like typing out a memo while you nod along in a Zoom meeting. These nonproductive activities may make it seem like you’re doing a lot, but they’re actually making you less efficient.

8 ways to take back control of your schedule

You can’t pick and choose all your tasks, but you can control how you handle them. Get ahead with these simple time management strategies.

1. Set clear goals and priorities

Creating goals is the foundation of effective time management. They help you prioritise tasks and say no to things that won’t help you move your career forward.

Use the SMART framework to set professional and personal goals that are:

• Specific - Imagine what you want to achieve in detail.
• Measurable - Make sure you can easily track your progress.
• Achievable - Pick something you can realistically accomplish with your current resources.
• Relevant - Your objectives should fit your long-term career plan.
• Time-based - Set deadlines and milestones.

Let’s say you’re a Software Developer with a mile-long debugging backlog. You could aim to clear out half of it in two months by fixing at least five bug reports a week.

Once you’ve got your big goals, don’t just stick them at the top of your to-do list. That’s too intimidating. Instead, break them down into bite-sized tasks that you can chip away at. Want to clear out hundreds of unread emails in your inbox? Schedule two blocks a day to answer and delete messages, and set time limits so you don’t get lost reading months-old emails.

As you work on your goals, the Eisenhower Matrix can help you spot high-priority activities. It sorts tasks into four quadrants:

For example, reading random e-newsletters goes in the “delete it” category, so use the unsubscribe button liberally. A time-sensitive client email, on the other hand, needs an immediate response.

2. Build a realistic weekly schedule

A digital calendar can significantly improve time management at work and in your personal life. Choose a mobile-friendly platform like Google Calendar so it’s always accessible.

Before you open your calendar, write down all your upcoming tasks and sort them by priority, like this:

• High: Client presentation on Friday, report due Monday morning
• Moderate: Daily standup meetings, study sessions for learning data analysis skills, walking the dog every evening
• Low: Checking email, putting away laundry

Estimate how much time you’ll need for each item, and be honest with yourself. If that detailed report usually takes four hours, don’t say you can do it in three, or you’ll just feel stressed.

Use this list to start mapping out your weekly schedule. Create colour-coded time blocks for similar tasks — like meetings and presentation prep time — so you can see what’s coming up at a glance. Schedule at least a few hours a week for deep focus, too, so you can work on creative tasks without interruption.

And don’t forget to pencil in plenty of breaks and buffer time. Sure, you could rush to six back-to-back meetings, but you’ll probably feel too drained to work on anything else. Regular breaks reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

3. Tackle challenging tasks first

You’ve got limited energy, no matter how much coffee you chug. Start your day by “eating the frog” — a.k.a starting with the hardest or most urgent tasks on your list. This helps you build momentum and frees up time later for routine tasks.

The Pomodoro technique can help you maintain focus for those big tasks. It breaks work into 25-minute intervals, followed by five-minute breaks. After you complete four pomodoros, take a longer 30-minute break. This strategy lets you accomplish tasks faster without burning out.

Whenever possible, avoid packing your schedule with too many difficult tasks. Quality over quantity is key to protecting your mental health and productivity.

4. Minimise distractions

While most time management tips focus on doing more, you should also cut down on tasks that sap your attention. Social media and texting are two of the biggest culprits. Turn off notifications during focus time and use app blockers to stop yourself from scrolling on TikTok for “just five minutes.”

A tidy workspace can also help you concentrate. Get rid of clutter, such as random bobbleheads and knick-knacks, and create quiet zones free from unnecessary tech.

5. Use the right tools

Many professionals use time management tools to stay organised. Here are just a few options:

• Toggl Track to record your time and see where it’s going
• Digital calendar apps to schedule tasks and set reminders
• Forest to encourage you to put your phone away and focus
• Todoist to track and manage tasks

Experiment with a few programmes to see what works best, but don’t feel like they’re mandatory. If old-fashioned sticky notes and written calendars boost your productivity, stick with that.

6. Organise notes and tasks in one place

Nothing wastes time like searching for a scrap of paper on a messy desk — or worse, trying to remember something that your boss told you three weeks ago.

Save time by jotting everything down in a digital note-taking app like Notion or Google Keep. Keeping everything together decreases stress by making sure you always have clear, up-to-date information.

7. Avoid procrastination with small wins

Nothing kills motivation like slogging through an ocean of tasks. Give yourself something to celebrate by setting micro-goals. A major white paper might take days to complete, but treat yourself to a fancy coffee after drafting each section. Little victories will help you stay motivated and recognise your progress.

Don’t let perfectionism paralyse you, either. Just start, and tell yourself you can always fix it later.

The two-minute rule also stops little tasks from piling up. If something takes less than a couple of minutes, do it right away, even when you don’t feel like it.

8. Review and adjust your system

Mastering time management won’t happen overnight, especially if you’re a chronic procrastinator or easily distracted.

Start small by choosing just two or three of these practical strategies to increase productivity. At the end of each week, spend 10 minutes reviewing your progress and analysing how you’re spending time.

Not making progress? Try new time management apps or switch up how you prioritise tasks. You could even use AI to automate basic tasks like sending appointment reminders to clients.

Above all, flexibility is key. Your personal life may get busy, or you might decide to focus more on upskilling. Adapting your time management system will keep everything moving smoothly.

Apply these skills in your Multiverse journey

Time management skills can benefit all professionals, but they’re especially critical for apprentices. Techniques like time blocking and the Pomodoro method will help you balance work, training, and projects.

Multiverse’s free Project Management and Transformative Leadership apprenticeships allow you to apply and build these valuable skills. You’ll learn how to delegate tasks and identify areas for improvement in your organisation. These hands-on programmes also help you future-proof your career with in-demand AI and leadership skills.

Complete our quick application to learn more about how a Multiverse apprenticeship can improve your time management.

Project management itself is all about bringing people and resources together to get complex tasks done efficiently. Today, businesses are using AI to simplify everything from setting budgets to troubleshooting equipment shortages. Learning how to work with these tools can help you lead projects more successfully and open up new career pathways as employers look for tech-savvy Project Managers.

What is project management?

Project management focuses on planning tasks and leading teams to reach shared goals. It requires strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and other soft skills.

Even relatively simple projects often involve many steps, including:

• Creating a realistic project budget and timeline
• Managing resources, such as construction equipment or financial software
• Delegating tasks to specific team members based on their strengths and availability
• Assessing risks and planning how to avoid them
• Documenting project progress at every step

Project Managers handle these nitty-gritty details so their teams can focus on more specialised tasks. For example, a tech firm might bring in a dedicated Project Manager to plan a mobile app project, while Software Developers concentrate on the actual programming. This division of labour keeps projects moving forward smoothly, without distractions or too many people making decisions.

Organisations in all industries rely on Project Managers to plan and oversee initiatives. In the UK, these professionals contribute an estimated £186.8 billion to the economy. They help companies make strategic decisions — such as how much to invest in a marketing campaign — and use resources efficiently.

The five phases of the project management process

Project management professionals work on a wide range of initiatives, even within the same industry. One person might manage the construction of a multi-million-pound hospital, while another oversees software development for medical professionals.

While these undertakings can have very different scopes, they typically follow the same project life cycle. Here are the five stages:

1. Initiation

You probably wouldn’t backpack across Europe without a map and a budget — that’s a fast-track to disaster, or at least a stressful trip. Managing projects requires the same kind of thoughtful pre-planning.

During this phase, professionals set project objectives and map out the big-picture steps to achieve them. They also evaluate the project’s feasibility. For instance, a client may want to revamp their entire onboarding process but only have the budget for a new handbook. Figuring out these limitations early helps prevent disappointment and overspending later on.

Initiation also involves:

• Weighing the potential project’s pros and cons
• Identifying project team members
• Defining the project scope
• Establishing the project deliverables or outcomes

Project Managers often organise all this information in a project charter. This document helps stakeholders understand exactly what’s involved in the undertaking and the estimated project costs. That way, they can make an educated decision about whether to move forward — or go back to the drawing board.

1. Planning

In the planning phase, Project Managers develop a detailed roadmap for the initiative. This outline should include:

• A scope statement that defines exactly what the project will involve (and what it won’t)
• A step-by-step plan for completing the project
• A realistic timeline with milestones and deadlines
• A detailed budget that factors in every cost, from labour to office supplies
• A breakdown of which project team members will handle each task
• A communication plan, such as weekly meetings or email updates
• A risk management plan that addresses potential hazards (supply chain shortages, cyber attacks, etc.)

Planning is one of the most time-consuming steps in the project management process, but it’s well worth it. It helps build a strong foundation for the project and prevents serious issues down the line.

For instance, you might realise that a project requires a custom piece of equipment that takes months to order. By spotting this early, you can adjust your schedule and avoid frustrating delays.

Planning also prevents the all-too-common problem of scope creep. Clients often ask for more deliverables, or overachieving team members may take on extra tasks without thinking twice. With a strong plan, you can set boundaries and deliver (only) what you promised.

1. Execution

Once you’ve finished your plan, you’re ready to put your project team to work. This is the core part of the initiative, where everyone comes together to start creating the deliverables.

Every complex project involves a healthy amount of delegation. Consider your project team members’ strengths and interests when assigning tasks. An aspiring leader, for instance, might be eager to plan client meetings. Meanwhile, a Business Analyst may focus on gathering and analysing financial data.

As a Project Manager, you should communicate frequently with all your stakeholders. This might involve a daily standup with the project team, regular status updates, and quarterly reports. By keeping everyone in the loop, you’ll reduce confusion and costly errors.

Tracking is key, too. Obviously, you don’t want to micromanage your project team — that’s bad for morale. But checking their progress and setting smaller milestones will help ensure that everyone stays on track. That way, you can offer support as needed.

4. Monitoring and control

Controlling a project may sound harsh, but you’re not turning into Big Brother. This phase simply involves tracking a project’s progress and addressing any roadblocks as a team.

Start by setting key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project success. If you’re managing a social media campaign, you might track these metrics:

• Engagement rate (comments, likes, etc.)
• Follower count
• Number of impressions

On the other hand, a software development project might focus on cycle time and code quality.

This kind of project monitoring will help you understand your performance and adjust your plan if necessary. For example, consistently poor code quality might mean that it’s time to bring in a more experienced Software Developer.

You should also closely monitor the budget throughout your project. An extra resource here, a little overtime there — these costs can add up quickly. Track all expenses carefully to keep your spending in check.

And don’t forget about the timeline. Even the most experienced Project Managers can’t avoid every delay, such as a natural disaster or a flu outbreak in the office. Be flexible and ready to shuffle around resources or deadlines to keep making progress.

5. Closure

The project isn’t over when you finish your last deliverable. You still need to hand everything over to the client and reflect on what you learned.

Share your project documentation with your client and other stakeholders. This paperwork helps them understand how to manage it moving forward. You may also need to provide hands-on training to set them up for success. Nursing staff, for instance, might need a workshop to learn how to use a new healthcare database.

Evaluate the project's success, too. Here are a few questions to consider:

• Overall, which parts of this project went well?
• How could I improve future projects?
• What obstacles did the team face, and how did we overcome them?
• Were there any unnecessary steps or resources?

Schedule a debriefing meeting to discuss these topics with your team and talk about your insights. This step will help you celebrate a successful completion and make your next project plan even better.

Types of project management

There’s no one-size-fits-all project management methodology. It depends on your goals, the industry you’re in, and your team’s strengths. Here are four popular frameworks.

Waterfall

When a river flows down a waterfall, it moves in one direction. Sure, the water might splash up a bit when it hits the bottom, but it never turns around and flies back to the top.

The Waterfall methodology works the same way. The project moves through each phase — from initiation to closure — one step at a time, without ever reversing or repeating phases.

This one-way approach requires a lot of upfront planning to get everything right the first time. But when done well, Waterfall can significantly boost efficiency and productivity. Plus, team members may feel more satisfied when they’re not constantly redoing their work.

Of course, it’s not easy to change a waterfall’s direction. This sequential method works best for simple and predictable projects that don’t require much flexibility.

Agile

Agile project management uses an iterative approach to help teams constantly improve their work. Instead of waiting for feedback at the end, they work on tasks in small bursts, get input, and make adjustments as needed.

Software Developers created the Agile method to keep up with their clients' rapidly changing demands. It’s a much more flexible approach than the waterfall method, allowing teams to make changes on the fly.

Consider Agile project management when you need to adapt quickly. It’s a great fit for marketing campaigns, product development, and other collaborative initiatives with lots of moving parts.

Lean

Lean project management is a subset of Agile that focuses on conserving resources and improving efficiency. It follows the “just-in-time” principle by delivering only the work that’s needed, when it’s needed. Teams also focus on project tasks that have the most impact instead of getting bogged down in minor details.

Manufacturers originally developed the Lean methodology, but it’s also popular in construction and healthcare. Use this approach when you want to save money without sacrificing value.

Hybrid

Sometimes, no project management framework meets all your needs. The hybrid approach lets you combine principles from different methods to fit your specific project.

This flexible strategy is an excellent option for more complex projects. For example, a hospital might blend Agile’s iterative approach with Lean’s cost-saving measures to create a new waiting room system.

Project team management

Because every industry needs Project Managers, upskilling in this area can prepare you for new roles and responsibilities. Here are a few essential skills to develop:

• Communication: The best Project Managers can clearly explain their expectations and goals to their teams. They also make complex information accessible for clients and stakeholders.
• Leadership: Strong managers can rally their teams behind shared goals and help them perform at their best.
• Problem-solving: Every project involves unexpected challenges, so the ability to stay calm and troubleshoot is key.
• Risk management: Project Managers should know how to assess risks and take steps to prevent them.

Industry-specific knowledge is essential, too. A Project Manager for a website may not need to know every detail of Python, but they should understand enough to help troubleshoot bugs.

Leaders should also follow effective project management practices, including:

• Clearly define each team member’s role from the beginning.
• Celebrate small wins — such as completing a tricky feature — to boost morale and build positive momentum.
• Encourage team members to share ideas and feedback freely.
• Use collaboration tools like Trello (for task management) and Slack (for communication).
• Step in early to resolve conflicts and help members compromise.

Tools and technologies in project management

Many professionals rely on traditional project management tools. Here are a few favorites:

• Asana: A task management platform that lets teams assign responsibilities and track progress together.
• Gantt charts: Visual diagrams that use horizontal bars to represent the duration and deadline for each task.
• Microsoft Project: A project management software that allows users to create project plans and schedules.

While these resources are still popular, artificial intelligence tools can help Project Managers work even more efficiently. For example, Notion AI can generate project plans and other content, while Monday.com uses AI to automatically delegate tasks and monitor progress.

How AI is transforming project management

Artificial intelligence isn’t just another tech fad. It can help you manage change and lead projects more effectively, especially when you’re juggling dozens of tasks. Here are a few ways this technology can support project management:

• Automating project scheduling and resource management: Tools like Motion use AI to prioritise tasks and create accurate schedules. They can also help you schedule team members at the right time.
• Intelligent risk forecasting: Predictive models use historical project data, economic trends, and other information to anticipate potential risks.
• Natural language summarisation of meetings: Turn your meeting recordings into summaries and to-do lists with notetaking tools, such as Fireflies and Otter.ai.
• Predictive analytics for budgets and timelines: AI can help you set realistic budgets and deadlines, reducing unexpected surprises.
• AI assistants for real-time status reports: Tools like ClickUp use data analytics to measure progress and generate status reports. They can help you quickly spot bottlenecks or underperforming employees.
• Interpret code: Use AI coding tools like Denigma to quickly understand programming languages — no more racking your brain to remember JavaScript functions.

The role of the project management office (PMO)

A project management office is a team that sets quality standards and policies for projects. It helps Project Managers maintain consistency, even when working on drastically different initiatives. For example, a PMO may require construction and HR projects to follow the same core practices.

AI dashboards allow PMOs to track every project in a centralised place. This makes it easier to spot scope creep or teams that aren’t following company policies, so PMOs can take action quickly.

Career paths in project management

In 2024, Indeed ranked Project Manager as the top job in the UK. These professionals are in demand in many industries, including:

• Construction
• Information technology
• Business transformation
• Healthcare
• Finance

Many job titles fall under the umbrella of project management. For example, Operation Delivery Leads earn an average base pay of £60,000 and manage projects across different teams. Meanwhile, a Programme Manager focuses on big-picture strategizing for multiple projects, with an average salary of £61,000.

Training paths in project management

The Project Management Institute offers numerous certifications and training programmes that teach essential skills. One popular option is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which demonstrates expertise in different project management techniques.

A Multiverse apprenticeship is another excellent way to prepare for a project management career. It teaches the latest project management methods and software, including Jira and AI tools. You’ll also gain hands-on experience by planning and executing real projects in your current role.

By the end of the 15-month apprenticeship, you’ll have a portfolio that showcases your skills and mastery of different project management types. The best part? Multiverse programmes are completely free for apprentices.

Master AI-powered project management with Multiverse

Successful project management isn’t just about checking off to-do lists and meeting deadlines. It’s an art that helps teams thrive and businesses meet their strategic goals.

Learn how to lead change with Multiverse’s Project Management apprenticeship. This free programme teaches essential project management approaches that you can use to guide initiatives from start to finish. Plus, our AI modules allow you to learn prompt engineering, data analytics, and other in-demand skills.

Ready to kickstart your project management journey? Fill out our quick application today.

Learning how to use Microsoft Copilot effectively can help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital workplace. With more companies embedding AI into their workflows, mastering Copilot’s features can streamline your work and save time. Users say it helps them complete routine tasks up to 29% faster.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

In 2023, Microsoft replaced its non-AI virtual assistant Cortana with Copilot. This new tool, the company announced, “uses AI to turn your words into a powerful productivity tool,” helping users “work smarter and faster.”

Like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot is powered by large language models (LLMs) — including OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Microsoft’s Prometheus framework — that interpret and respond to user inputs.. For example, you could ask Copilot to help you brainstorm content ideas — “suggest 20 Instagram posts to announce a new product” — or draft a memo.

Copilot uses a freemium structure, allowing users to access basic features at no cost. The free version is a good choice if you only want to use the Copilot app, which functions much like ChatGPT. It can generate a limited number of images, search the web, and answer questions.

For the full experience, you’ll need to upgrade to Microsoft Copilot Pro. This paid plan costs £19 per month and integrates Copilot agents with Microsoft 365 apps. It also gives you early access to the latest AI features, including multilingual speech recognition and sentiment analysis tools.

How Microsoft Copilot works

Microsoft 365 Copilot may seem like an enigma, especially if you’re not a tech professional. But this platform is relatively straightforward.

The software was built on two large language models:

• OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o: This omni-channel model can produce audio, images, and text. This multimodal capability, OpenAI explains, “enables the model to engage in more natural and intuitive interactions with users.”
• Microsoft Prometheus: It combines GPT with Bing’s search index, allowing it to draw on real-time data and cite sources.

Copilot stands out from other AI tools because it combines these LLMs with the user’s own proprietary data. It does this through Microsoft Graph, an application programming interface (API). This platform collects data from all your Microsoft 365 apps, including Calendar, Outlook, and Teams.

When you interact with Copilot, it draws on this information to create tailored responses. For example, it could summarise emails or a dense white paper that would take hours to read. Or it might suggest a meeting agenda based on your messages in Teams.

This AI assistant also integrates directly with other Microsoft products, expanding their capabilities. These embedded Copilot features are so intuitive that you may not even realise that you’re using AI to improve your work.

Key features and use cases

Microsoft Copilot is an incredibly versatile AI tool with applications in practically every industry. Here are a few ways you can use this software to boost productivity.

Word

Even relatively short documents often take hours to write and revise. Copilot can speed up this process by generating a first draft based on a prompt or an existing document. For example, you might input, “Write a blog post about the benefits of drinking tea. Use the information in /teanotes as your reference.”

You can also use Copilot to summarise key points from meeting notes or complex documents. Rather than slogging through a 40-page transcript, you’ll get the gist in seconds.

Excel

Microsoft Excel has been a foundational data analytics tool for decades. But the Multiverse Skills Intelligence Report 2024 found that 57% of employees have no Excel skills or only basic knowledge.

Copilot can help upskillers analyse data sets in Excel and spot trends, such as best-selling products. It can also suggest formulas based on conversational prompts. Instead of racking your brain for the VLOOKUP function, for instance, you can just ask Copilot to “find Kelly Smith’s phone number.”

PowerPoint

Copilot’s generative AI software lets you turn simple outlines into full-fledged slide decks. That means you don’t have to spend hours obsessively rearranging slide layouts or fine-tuning headings.

Plus, you can instantly add your company’s branding or even translate the whole presentation to another language. It all adds up to significant time savings, especially if you’re not a graphic designer.

Outlook

UK office workers spend over 11 billion hours a year on email, scheduling, and other repetitive tasks. Lighten your to-do list by asking Copilot to draft emails and summarise your colleagues’ messages. It can also help you schedule meetings, focus time, and other events.

Teams

Microsoft Teams users receive an average of 153 messages per day. While that constant communication helps keep everyone in the loop, it can also be incredibly distracting. You may just be getting in the zone when you hear that signature “ping.”

With Copilot, you can quickly summarise your chats and conversations instead of reading every message. It can also suggest action items — “email Brad to reschedule the webinar” — and transcribe meetings. That way, you can focus on more important tasks outside of Microsoft Teams.

Copilot Chat and Pages

Copilot Chat is a free AI chatbot that works across all Microsoft apps. Its search-like interface lets you look up information on the internet without needing to open a separate browser.

It also integrates with Copilot Pages, an interactive and collaborative canvas. For example, you could ask the AI assistant to list nearby competitors, then create a page to share with your coworkers. These Copilot features simplify collaboration by keeping everything in one centralised workspace.

GitHub Copilot

Programmers can use GitHub Copilot to generate code suggestions, helping them build applications much faster. This AI coding tool also supports users by catching and fixing mistakes, drastically reducing debugging time.

A GitHub experiment found that developers who used Copilot finished a JavaScript web server 55% faster than those who didn’t use the tool. Additionally, 96% of surveyed developers reported that Copilot helps them complete repetitive tasks faster.

How to access Microsoft Copilot

Because Copilot is so deeply enmeshed with other Microsoft technologies, it has multiple access points, including:

• Taskbar integration: Windows 11 lets you pin Copilot to your taskbar for easy access. Some newer laptops also come with a Copilot button on the keyboard that you can tap to open the app.
• Bing chat: The search engine includes a Copilot tab in the top menu, which you can click to launch the app.
• Toolbar buttons: Microsoft 365 apps feature Copilot buttons in the ribbon menus.
• Teams and Outlook add-ins: When you launch these platforms, you’ll see the Copilot icon in the upper-right corners.
• Microsoft’s Edge browser: Open this browser to view the built-in Copilot sidebar. It can create images, give you custom daily news briefings, and more.

You can also access Copilot on your smartphone by downloading the mobile app.

Advanced Tools: Vision, Voice, & Labs

Once you’ve mastered Microsoft 365 Copilot’s basic features, it’s time to level up with more sophisticated tools. These platforms can help you future-proof your career by boosting your efficiency and helping you acquire new skills.

Copilot Vision

Microsoft has revamped the way people search with Copilot Vision. It’s exclusively available with Microsoft’s Edge browser and acts as a personalised AI companion.

The premise is simple. Copilot scans all the web pages that you browse, almost like an invisible friend looking over your shoulder. It then analyses and contextualises this information to provide insights you might not get on your own.

Say, for instance, you’re planning a business trip to Madrid and want to design the perfect itinerary. You can describe your interests to Copilot Vision: “I want to take my clients to dinner at authentic Spanish restaurants and schedule a walking tour.” As you explore websites, Vision will highlight relevant information and activities, accelerating the research process.

Copilot Voice

Sometimes, you don’t have the time (or patience) to type out prompts. With Copilot, you can use voice commands to ask for information or perform tasks. For example, you might say, “Can you add a meeting with my assistant to my calendar for noon tomorrow?”

Copilot Voice also offers multilingual interactions in over 40 languages. It’s perfect for studying for exams or practising your conversational skills before an international trip.

Copilot Labs

Microsoft is constantly experimenting with new Copilot features. Commercial customers can sign into Copilot Labs to get early access to these projects. It’s a fun way to see what’s in the works and play with more advanced tools.

One available product is Copilot Actions, which automates web tasks based on user prompts. For example, you could ask it to book a hotel or order flowers for your spouse. You can also use Copilot Podcasts to create a custom podcast, or chat with an adorable visual avatar with Copilot Appearance.

Some of these tools might not directly improve productivity, but they give you the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge AI applications. And who knows? That AI-generated podcast or a conversation with Copilot Appearance might spark new ideas.

Benefits for productivity

Like any new technology, Microsoft Copilot has a bit of a learning curve. But once you get the hang of its features, it can have a huge impact on your productivity. Here are four advantages of using this AI tool.

Save time

Every professional has a laundry list of time-consuming (and often quite tedious) tasks. Microsoft Copilot can automate many of these activities, including:

• Summarising documents, from emails to hours-long webinar transcripts
• Generating emails, articles, proposals, and other content
• Researching information
• Prioritising emails based on urgency or deadlines
• Editing content, such as reports and intricate Python code

By automating these tasks, Copilot frees up your schedule for activities that require a human touch.

Develop stronger collaborations

Using AI to improve human relationships may seem paradoxical, but it can be extremely effective. For example, you could use Copilot to write meeting summaries and track tasks. That way, you can keep your team on the same page and make sure everything gets done on time.

Streamline data analysis

According to Multiverse’s The ROI of AI report, 52% of tech leaders believe their organisation lacks essential data skills. Professionals can help fill this gap by combining Copilot with Microsoft BI to “chat” with data sets.

A Business Analyst, for instance, could prompt Copilot to find trends in sales data and generate data visualisations. These applications are much faster than building dashboards and designing charts from scratch.

Improve project management

When it comes to managing complex projects, Microsoft Copilot can be incredibly useful. Use it to draft budgets and timelines based on your clients’ needs. You can also use it to communicate updates through Microsoft Teams and Outlook.

Copilot also supports change management by enabling you to clearly communicate the benefits of changes to your team. That way, you can get employee buy-in. Or use it to build training materials to get everyone up to speed quickly. These use cases can streamline projects and reduce stress for everyone.

Master Copilot and other innovative AI tools

Microsoft Copilot is a powerful ally for any professional. With its diverse applications, it can improve many aspects of your daily routine, from simple administrative tasks to programming and project management.

Sharpen your AI skills with a free Multiverse apprenticeship. Our AI for Business Value programme teaches you how to use Copilot and other AI solutions to make an impact in your organisation. You’ll gain hands-on experience solving real business problems while studying AI ethics and business analysis fundamentals. Together, this knowledge will help you drive data-driven change. Plus, you’ll receive personalised career coaching from industry experts.

Continue your upskilling journey by completing our quick application today.