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Why is it that nearly 80% of us abandon our New Year's Resolutions (NYR) by February? A lack of joy, perhaps. And maybe an absence of novelty. While there are many techniques to help us stick to our promises, what if it's the nature of the promises themselves that are tripping us up? Health, finance, and relationships tend to be at the core of most of our NYRs, and more often than not, we attach targets or hard boundaries that make them nearly impossible to stick to. Well, not this year. After a short conversation with a close friend, I was given this gem of wisdom that made me rethink resolutions altogether: Make your New Year's Resolutions joyful, fun, and exciting - not restrictive. Joyful Resolutions Over Restrictive Rules The turning point this year is a shift of focus to the experience and journey over the outcome. But what might this look like? Here are a few that have been suggested to me so far (and feel free to share your own below): Pasta Shake-up : Mix up your meals by trying as many new and different pasta shapes as possible. Adventurous Ales : Explore different breweries and brews, collecting stamps on a Beer Passport as you go. Badminton Battles : Pick up a racket and have a go at different mini-games with novel rules and gameplay to create unpredictability. These are all about new experiences, and I'm already excited about the prospect of trying these three. How AI Can Be Recruited To Your Resolution Aid So where does generative AI come into this? One of my favorite uses of tools like Gemini, Copilot, or ChatGPT is to tap into their creative brainstorming skills. Here’s a prompt you could tweak and use to get some inspiration like the above examples: "You're a personal coach that specialises in the creation of fun and joyful New Year's Resolutions. I need you to help me brainstorm a number of ideas that are similar to . Present these in a bullet point list and give me your best five, prioritised by how likely I am to enjoy them and stick to them. Ask me any questions before you begin to understand me and what I might like." AI-Generated Resolution Examples Here are some of the examples I got when prompting ChatGPT with the examples I'd been given: Movie Mix-Up : Try a new film from a different genre/era each month, hosting friends or family. Cuisine Explorer : Cook a dish from a different country every month to experience new flavors. Artistic Adventures : Try different art forms, from pottery to watercolor painting. Let’s Refresh Our Resolutions Hopefully, you're encouraged to add a splash of joy into your resolutions for the year ahead. And if you're stuck, perhaps you're ready to give generative AI a spin to give you a bit of inspiration. Whether you're inspecting some new pale ales or battling it out in badminton, let’s make this the year you’ll actually stick to your resolutions, all with a little joy and help from AI! Credits Author: Rob Anderton Editorial: Rob Anderton / OpenAI. (2025).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: OpenAI. (2025).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

Why did the AI refuse to go caroling? It couldn’t find its festive algorithm. (ChatGPT 4.0, 2024) Not bad, right?! But let’s just say the rest of its top five “jokes” didn't make the cut. Anyway, it’s that magical time of year again, and what a year it has been! A mere twelve months ago, I hadn’t even heard of generative AI, let alone used it. Now, it has become my go-to tool for personal and professional tasks, transforming how I tackle my day-to-day. So, in the spirit of giving, here are three AI-powered prompt ideas to save you time and maybe even your sanity this festive season. Present Inspiration Long gone are the days of flipping through the Argos catalogue and punching in those seven-digit codes to see if that item  was still in stock. Why do I look back on those experiences fondly? Who knows—maybe it’s the nostalgia of the anticipation. But these days, as the years tick by, coming up with thoughtful gift ideas has become harder and harder. That was, of course, until ChatGPT came to the rescue. Try this: Act as my personal shopping assistant. We are looking to purchase a present for a mid-twenties male who is interested in Premiership Football, Online Gaming, and Ballroom Dancing. The budget for this present is between £20 and £30 and needs to be something that could be easily shipped or posted within the UK. I would like ten ideas presented in a table format with the item name, description, picture, rationale for suggestion, where to buy the cheapest, and with a link if possible. ( Note: See the full prompt template at the end of the article. ) Result: Food Preparation This year, I’ve been promoted from Sous Chef to Head Chef - much to my family’s amusement and my rising anxiety levels. Let’s face it: no one wants dry turkey or to need to carve a Brussel sprout. Thankfully, AI can help me get ahead of the game, from crafting a precise shopping list to orchestrating the perfect culinary timeline. Try these: Act as my Head Chef. We are looking to cook the best Christmas meal ever tasted and need to ensure our timings and actions are to perfection. We have two cooks with access to a standard oven, induction hob, microwave, steamer, warming draw and other standard kitchen accessories. They will be cooking for six people and there are three courses to the menu which include: Prawn Cocktail Salad, Turkey Dinner, Christmas Pudding. I have three requests that I would like your help with. Please let me know if you understand and when you’re ready for the first request. The first request is for your support in creating a shopping list for the three course meal separating ingredients out into where I would find them in the supermarket. The second request is for you to provide the list of ingredients purchased underneath each dish along with the expected cooking apparatus needed to make this dish. The third request is for you to suggest the appropriate preparation, cooking order, and timings to create this three course meal and assign actions between the two chefs (A and B). The plan is to serve the first course at 5pm so I need to understand when I need to start preparation. Result: Present Acknowledgments Ah, the tradition of thank-you letters—equal parts gratitude and hand cramps. As a kid, I dreaded the ache of drafting and rewriting these notes, especially with Tipp-Ex forbidden and errors met with tears. Over time, the dread waned, mostly because the letters grew fewer. Still, there’s something undeniably special about a well-crafted thank-you note, and AI can make the process faster without sacrificing sincerity. Try this: You are a grateful receiver of gifts and an exceptional writer. Please create a template to thank relatives and friends for specific presents they have given you. I want you to include what you plan to do with that gift and how grateful you are for their generosity. You should also hope that they’ve had a fantastic Christmas and wish them a happy New Year. Please create a draft thank you to each of these people, noting the gift they gave. £15 gift card (Uncle Tom) Toy train (Auntie Joan) Taylor Swift Vinyl (Cousin Travis) Result: Wrapping It Up Hopefully, these festive prompting ideas leave you full of inspiration, with time to spare and a Christmas dinner that’s remembered for all the right reasons. Whether it’s finding the perfect gift, nailing your holiday feast, or drafting heartfelt thank-you notes, AI is here to play Santa’s little helper this year. Now, merry prompting, you filthy animals! Prompt Templates Present Ideation Prompt: Act as my personal shopping assistant. We are looking to purchase a present for who is interested in . The budget for this present is between and needs to be . I would like ideas presented in a table format with the item name, description, picture, rationale for suggestion, where to buy the cheapest, and with a link if possible. Food Preparation Prompts: Act as my Head Chef. We are looking to cook the best Christmas meal ever tasted and need to ensure our timings and actions are to perfection. We have cooks with access to . They will be cooking for people and there are courses to the menu which include: . I have three requests that I would like your help with. Please let me know if you understand and when you’re ready for the first request. The first request is for your support in creating a shopping list for the course meal separating ingredients out into where I would find them in the supermarket. The second request is for you to provide the list of ingredients purchased underneath each dish along with the expected cooking apparatus needed to make this dish. The third request is for you to suggest the appropriate preparation, cooking order, and timings to create this course meal and assign actions between the chefs (). The plan is to serve the first course at 5pm so I need to understand when I need to start preparation. Present Acknowledgement Prompt: You are a grateful receiver of gifts and an exceptional writer. Please create a template to thank relatives and friends for specific presents they have given you. I want you to include what you plan to do with that gift and how grateful you are for their generosity. You should also hope that they’ve had a fantastic Christmas and wish them a happy New Year. Please create a draft thank you to each of these people, noting the gift they gave. - () - () - () Credits Author: Rob Anderton Editorial: Rob Anderton / OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

After two refreshing weeks away from the hustle and bustle of consulting, it was time to put some of the AI learning I'd been delivering into practice. Many will be familiar with that heightened wave of anxiety that starts to build in the days or hours leading up to the return to work. Well for some unusual reason, that feeling wasn't quite there today. I believe this in part stems from my daily habit of using Generative AI and an eagerness to try out some use cases particularly relevant to the return from extended periods of leave. Armed with the knowledge that Microsoft 365 Copilot can really help from a summarisation standpoint, I knew I easily had three actions ready to deploy to make that transition back to work just a little bit smoother. But what awaited me after a fortnight away? It could've been worse. So what did I do next and how did it benefit me? Let's just say that what I did next has saved at least two hours already along with a whole heap of early wins.... Catch me up - Saved >30 minutes and prioritised tasks for the day and week ahead I was determined not to lose that blissful holiday feeling within moments, but seeing over 300 unread emails could have easily done the trick. Rather than spending at least 30 minutes trawling through countless emails and Teams chats, I called upon Microsoft 365 Copilot to bring me back up to speed in a flash. Using Copilot in Teams, I quickly asked: Catch me up on what should be on my radar from emails, chats, and messages from the last two weeks. Use bullet points to highlight any actions, and prioritise any actions in order of importance and deadlines. With this short prompt, it raced through the myriad of messages and made the mountain of communications easily digestible, catching me up on what I had missed. The important updates - prioritised. The noise - minimised. Not only did I avoid replying to something already resolved by my colleagues, I could quickly focus on the most pressing actions and prevent the feeling of overwhelm stopping me right in my tracks. Swapping holiday piña coladas for a GenAI-enabled work assistant turned out to be a surprisingly palatable trade... Summarise the actions - Saved >25 minutes and quickly understood the requirements Sometimes, I long for those office days where you could poke your head up like a meerkat and ask a colleague to catch you up on what you’d missed while on holiday. Meerkats aside, I didn't want to fumble my way through thread after thread trying to work out what was required of me on my return. So on a few email chains I clicked: And just like that, in about five seconds, Copilot had produced a series of concise bullet points. And with those bullet points I had saved at least five minutes per thread and had good insight into what the important details were and what I needed to do next. Getting on top of these things promptly really helped avoid the panicked rush of reading everything and potentially replying prematurely. Copilot read and contextualised the information I needed, freeing me up to channel my reading skills and energy into finishing that novel I’d started on the beach - later in the day, of course. Prepare for my meetings - Saved >20 minutes and led a positive meeting 9:30 am meeting, really?! It could've been worse - at least I had 30 minutes to prepare even if I did only require five, and most of that was just reviewing the summaries I'd gleaned just seconds ago. I typed in the following prompt: Prepare me for my upcoming meetings this week, providing any necessary context and references to allow me to contribute fully. Provide this information in sections for each meeting, keeping information concise and easily understandable. Being briefed and informed about the meetings’ background allowed me to waltz into each session with confidence and clarity on what needed to be achieved. There are few things better than a meeting that meets its intended objectives and has full contribution from those in attendance. Not only did Copilot’s preparation enable me to contribute fully, but it also gave me enough time to grab a cappuccino and briefly reminisce about doing the same last week - only in temperatures 20 degrees warmer. Overall, I easily saved an immediate hour or two this morning and over the course of the week, I suspect a whole lot more. But it's not just about the time saving, it's about keeping that refreshed feeling for as long as possible. If AI can make your transition back from holiday or time away a little smoother, why wouldn’t you give it a try? Give the three AI actions above a go to make returning to work from holiday or even the weekend just that little bit easier. How long could Copilot help you keep that post-holiday glow? Credits Author: Rob Anderton Brainstorming: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Editors: Rob Anderton and OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: Rob Anderton GIFs and OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

Unlocking the value of AI in architecture through a Father’s Day conversation, Formula 1, and shared observations of where AI can accelerate creativity and the confirmation of client requirements. If you had told me that Father’s Day morning would start with a Colombian coffee, an architectural journal, and a pot of berried muesli with greek yoghurt, I’d have thought we were playing an inverse game of two truths and a lie. Now I’m a muesli convert. Whilst at one point I had myself down for following in my father’s architectural footsteps, the knowledge that there was more to it than simply colouring in drawings of university campuses soon kiboshed that fantasy. But there we were, chatting over an article in the RIBA journal, about how AI is impacting the landscape of architecture services - a sort of first for blending my Dad’s profession and mine.  When talking about AI in my role, a few topics frequently surface. Loss of intellectual property and data privacy are certainly towards the top of that list. The article my Dad slid over the kitchen table was discussing how a renowned practice was looking at using AI for design, setting parameters to maintain their signature style whilst inspiring new concepts. What was interesting about this was that much of the AI conversation to date centred around productivity was now shifting to creative consistency, with particular focus on customer delivery. Many organisations have quickly acclimatised to the administrative easing afforded by such tools as Microsoft 365 Copilot, but few have yet to really tap into how these tools transform and relay value to the customer.    There I was, brew in one hand, article in the other, my eyes hooked on this fascinating visualisation. A beachside mansion in pearl white concrete curiously shaped to look like a classic acoustic guitar - my interest was piqued. On face value, you would have struggled to tell it was AI generated. On closer inspection, staircases leading to walls, the odd E-string too many, and even the musically unaware could spot some of these comical errors.   Still impressed by the overly strung building, my Dad’s curiosity centred on how this technology transformed text to image, and at what pace this could be achieved. What I hadn’t fully appreciated was the different techniques he had deployed in his line of business to accelerate design inspiration. He cited that one technique involved collating words and seeking synonyms around a topic, pooling the individual and collective experiences, memories and knowledge of architects in the practice. For example, designing a golf clubhouse could invoke words such as manicured, pristine, crisp, and immaculate. For me, I’d throw in sandy. The idea was that collating these words would provide the jumping-off point for possible designs and encompass all the emotions they wanted to evoke within the client. The evolution of that particular process led us both to think about how other applications of the technology may encourage architectural firms to consider bringing outsourced and previously laboursome tasks back in-house, saving both time and money.    Seeing is believing though so a few moments later, and with Chat GPT 4o open, I brought another of our shared passions into the mix - Formula 1. In a time that would have the best pit stop crew in awe, I’d drafted this prompt: “Create an image of a state-of-the-art property for Lewis Hamilton, that is three stories, by a beach and inspired by racing. There must be capacity for three F1 cars.” We got this response. Not bad right? I’m happy for you to forward this to Lewis if he’s in the market for some renovations, or a garage extension for a new Ferarri or two. The eagle-eyed amongst us may have noticed that the property featured well in excess of the three car parameter I’d given. Nevertheless, this brought us quickly onto the topic of hallucinations, or the fact that the output we get isn’t always in line with what we request. Not ideal in times where there is little room for error, and for maintaining professional integrity, it’s definitely recommended that we take a second look. For times of creativity and giving a client early visibility, having models that push the boundaries of possibility can make the odd hallucination a light bulb moment for new ideas. This thought reminded me of the Edison quote: “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” With AI, we may not always get exactly what we expect. Yet experimentation and imperfect responses might just be what we need to think differently and more critically.   The next bit surprised me. I knew from an architect's perspective that being able to show a design from different angles could make all the difference between a client’s acceptance or rejection of a concept. However, from experience, prompting a model to make a change to an image previously created had always led to a completely different visualisation. Could this time be different? For example, I wanted an aerial view of our design so I prompted: “Could you show me this exact image but with five stories, a helipad and from an aerial view” Aha! Different, yes. Massively different, no. But we had created a moment. A moment where what my Dad and I did collided - AI meeting architecture. Whilst we both agreed that neither of these would be submitted directly to a client due to apparent inconsistencies, the speed in which we created these ideas was a game changer. Rapidly creating a mood board to meet or better understand what a client likes and dislikes not only would help to refine requirements but could also be key to winning that next bid or framework.   This was a first for me in creating a use case demonstration in the field of architecture. It highlighted that not only are there many different uses for AI within the field, but the way in which we think of deploying it should not solely be about employee productivity but an ability to better meet the needs of our clients in real-time.   What this experience reinforced in my mind was that applying AI to augment familiar day-to-day actions led to a quicker understanding of the technology and an increased appetite to continue experimenting. It indicated that tailored demonstrations could create exciting ‘aha’ moments, moderated by an appreciation that there is still a need to critique AI generated outputs. Importantly, it also spotlighted that I may need to seek further AI inspiration for breakfast suggestions to go along with my coffee… Credits Author: Rob Anderton Images: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

I'm not quite sure how we got here. At one point there were four containers, four plants, and little need for a watering can. Spring the clock forward five years and you've got the beginnings of a jungle. A giant plant wall and seventeen mismatched planters later - my balcony is becoming increasingly inaccessible and a hose would be more apt for its watering needs. Bamboo, blueberries, lavender and lemons. Rhubarb, raspberries, strawberries and figs. Lastly, keeping my lemon tree company is the 'I've seen better times'  olive tree. Whilst the plant wall was potentially a post break-up protest purchase, my olive tree certainly was not. Together we'd been through thick and thin. On a recent clean-up of the skyward forest, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of crisp brown olive leaves and barely two branches showing any signs of life. It was hanging in there, but only just. Secateurs sharpened and bin bag at the ready, I chopped away like a barber performing a buzz cut. Nought point five on the front and back, with a four on the sides. An unusual cut by any standard. A few days later and with a good watering under its belt, three new shoots had started to appear. Cutting back had allowed new growth, and the surviving branches looked healthier than ever. This spark of new life in the tree led to the germination of some ideas. Ideas of how there are some activities that we do that no longer serve a purpose, and that when pruned could save energy that could be reinvested elsewhere. Let me explain… Take embarking on a new career path as a new olive branch. As we immerse ourselves in a role, we pick up more responsibilities and tasks, increasing our connections and load in the process. These additional branches lead to doing more and more and before you know it, you've woven a complex network of twigs and offshoots, all demanding more energy than you have available to give. My olive tree was no different. There’s only so many nutrients, so much water and sun available - and in the UK, not a lot of the latter. When we say yes to too much, we can't see the wood for the trees and aspects of our work will halt healthy growth if we fail to prioritise. The same thing is true with projects and client requests. Over many years of designing and implementing internal communications sites, the flowers (fancy features) can quickly overshadow the leaves (core capabilities). Before you know it, there's an all singing and dancing site that sadly nobody visits. What adds value to the audience, just like the energy for a tree, should always remain at the forefront of every design decision. So what's the lesson... Quite simply, less is more. When we prune back some of the unnecessary activities that are sapping our energy, we have more time and resources to blossom. We may also make room for new and fulfilling growth opportunities that we didn't previously have the capacity or clarity of mind to pursue. For support and guidance on how you can improve your communications and engagement activities, please get in touch. Credits Author: Rob Anderton Images: Rob Anderton / OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

As a technology enthusiast and a firm believer in the potential of generative AI, I frequently find myself pondering why the adoption of this fantastic technology seems to be lagging behind the near-instantaneous embrace of relatively recent tech such as video calling and meetings. In a tech-driven moment where generative AI adoption and return-on-investment (ROI) are high on the list of c-suite conversation, what sets the two technologies apart in the eyes of users and implementers? The Shift: Essential vs. Nice-to-Have The past year has revolutionised the accessibility and belief we have in gen AI technology. But not everyone is convinced or experimenting at the rate we might expect. Whilst video meetings went from optional to essential in the blink of an eye, thanks in part to the disruptive force of the pandemic, gen ai is currently perceived as nice-to-have, nice-to-adopt, and nice-to-keep by the lucky few. I think it's fair to say there isn't the same imperative or consistent top down communication stating that we have to change our ways of working or we won't survive. In the pandemic, we adapted to the technology and our circumstances out of necessity, realising that our behaviour had to shift to stay alive and to stay in business. The urgency of the situation made video calling a non-negotiable and now it's very hard to envisage a working world without it. I'm curious to both influence and observe whether the power of the technology, the messaging from leaders, competitor pressure, or other contributory factors may make gen AI essential or whether it will remain a nice-to-have. Generative AI: A Different Challenge In contrast to video calling, generative AI, with its vast capabilities and transformative potential, occupies a different space in our tech and working world. Although it holds promise for revolutionising processes and driving efficiency, its current status leans more towards the realm of a "nice-to-have" than an essential tool we cannot live without. As an expensive unknown to many, commitment is somewhat tentative and a dip of the toe isn't providing organisations with the statistical relevance of findings required to make sweeping substantial investments. And that applies to those with a structured approach to testing and a measurement framework in place. Many organisations are handing this powerful technology to individuals and expecting them to navigate its complexities independently. There is an expectation that it's intuitive and they will know where it excels and where it doesn't. Yet, the reality is far from being that simple. Breaking the Communication Barrier One of the primary obstacles hindering the rapid adoption of generative AI is the communication barrier. While we have been interacting with search engines and virtual assistants for years (i.e. Google, Amazon's Alexa), the shift to conversing with AI in a more natural tone remains a challenge for many. Our ingrained habits of engaging with technology in a specific manner pose a barrier when attempting to embrace the conversational nature of generative AI. Even those who have undertaken some prompt engineering training, myself included, still find themselves airing towards simple prompts and wondering why the results are not perfect first time. Focusing on Experiences Over Application Capabilities I have to admit that conversations purely on out-of-the-box technological capabilities have got a bit tiresome and are not sufficient to change our behaviours. Instead of an app for this, and a chat bot for that, what truly excites me is envisioning the remarkable experiences we are now able to create with the support of this technology. To successfully integrate generative AI into our workflows, we need to draw our focus away slightly from what the technology can do, to the people experiences we aim to deliver. It's about identifying existing pain points and processes ripe for automation, areas that can benefit from augmentation, and tasks that are better left untouched or removed completely. Impacting the human experience and quality we can deliver when we are focused on what truly matters is likely to cascade to people's sense of worth which in turn will impact productivity and ROI (not necessarily the other way around). Maximising Generative AI: A Community Effort To unlock the full potential of generative AI and expedite its adoption, my experience tells me that we must foster communities of users who share similar needs and challenges. Only through encouraging collective learning and collaboration can repetitive practices be streamlined and efficiencies unlocked. On that topic of learning, I am regularly asked what skills should we be instilling in our people as we increase our reliance on generative AI. At this moment in time, I keep coming back to critical thinking and patience. I see these as indispensable qualities that will ensure we continue to challenge the quality of outputs from this technology, and that will keep us from losing faith in its potential as it rapidly advances to meet our heightened levels of expectation. Embracing Change and Evolution If nothing else sticks, let it be this. Implementing generative AI is not a one-time endeavor, nor a plug and play, nor a current (at the time of writing) essential. It's a journey that demands attentive audience engagement, a north star vision of what success looks like for the individual (what's in it for me) and the organisation as a whole, and continuous encouragement to experiment and learn. By reflecting on current practices and reimagining workflows, we open ourselves up to a raft of opportunities to do more, do better, or do different. For example, what would I do differently if generative AI gave me more time back in my day? What could I do better than I'm doing today if I applied generative AI to my work? Through challenging ourselves to change our daily experiences and ways of working, we may just unlock the productivity and ROI benefits our leaders are desperately searching for. So in essence, the disparity in adoption rates between video meetings and generative AI boils down to urgency, necessity, and a clear call-to-action from the top. While video calling quickly became a staple in our digital toolset, generative AI requires a concerted effort to bridge the gap between people and technical capabilities, as well as the best practical applications. By embracing a community-driven approach, focusing on experiences, and continuously evolving our practices, we can pave the way for generative AI to become an indispensable and essential asset in the way we get work done. Credits Author: Rob Anderton Editorial: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

A large cappuccino and a prompt please. Yes, to take away. In today's non-stop hustle and bustle, caffeine is barely touching the sides, nor helping us through that meeting, let alone the day. We all need something new. Something a little different to supercharge us through the working week. That something different isn't a shot of vanilla, or a dash of pumpkin spice, it's a sprinkling of gen AI and it has your name all over it. I'd like you to imagine starting each working day with a beverage in hand and a fresh and exciting approach to tackling your daily tasks. In the next few minutes, I'm aiming to guide you on some quick ways you can caffeinate yourself with Copilot for Microsoft 365, embedding it into your routine seamlessly, and helping you get ahead from Monday through to Friday. I've hand-selected the tools that perform, and the activities that are best applied at different times in the week. Are you ready? Before we get going... Open up Outlook or your mailbox equivalent Open your calendar and add a recurring invite to your diary Set the subject as 'Prompt Start/Prompt & Shine' (you get the gist) and enable notifications at 15 minutes prior to you starting your day. e.g. 8:45am. Let's begin... Monday Activity : On Monday, and if you successfully switched off over the weekend, you're probably wondering what the week has in store. Worry not. Using Copilot in Outlook or Teams, you're going to ask Copilot to make you aware of key messages and actions for you to perform to kick the day off with a bang. "Summarise the key messages and actions I need to be aware of from my emails, Teams messages, and calendar entries received since Friday. Identify the three most urgent tasks I need to prioritise today, based on the importance and deadlines of the items discussed. Create a to-do list with these three tasks, including brief descriptions and deadlines." Anticipated Value :  Time saved sifting through emails and messages, reduced mental effort through augmented prioritisation of your work and an ability to get started quicker on meaningful work through condensed context and referenced materials. Tuesday Activity :  It's Tuesday already and you've got meetings coming out of your ears. You don't have time to sift through all the decks, emails, and previous meeting minutes so you ask Copilot in Teams to help with your preparation, coming to the meeting like a pro. "Review the meeting minutes and notes from previous meetings related to [specific project/team/subject]. Based on this information, help me prepare an agenda for the upcoming meeting, including key talking points, decisions to be made, and any follow-up actions required. Ensure the agenda is structured to address ongoing issues and new developments." Anticipated Value :  Increased meeting productivity and the ability to decide whether you're needed or can delegate attendance. Time saved through combing through files and notes and improved wellness through feeling informed ahead of the meeting. Wednesday Activity :  It's Wednesday and the real work is in full swing. The chances are that you receive long documents or presentations from time-to-time. To quickly digest your colleague's thesis that could've been two pages, or a comprehensive pitch or proposal deck, use Copilot in Word or PowerPoint to summarise the document or presentation. "Summarize the key points and/or actions from this [document/presentation]. Focus on the most important information I need to be aware of, including any decisions made, actions required, and deadlines. Provide a clear list of any tasks I need to follow up on." Anticipated Value :  Time saved trawling through the information and a clear view of what was important, highlighting if this is something you need to read in more detail yourself. You can quickly have any follow-up discussions on the content from the summarised view of actions and deadlines leading to greater team agility. Thursday Activity :  It's day four of five and in lieu of the email culture being fixed, you have several emails to clear first thing. To clear the unread and provide the answers and acknowledgements required, use Copilot in Outlook with this prompt to draft quick and relevant replies. "Draft a response to this email showing understanding and acknowledging the key points discussed. Include a summary of the main points and propose up-to three follow-on questions to clarify or expand on the information provided. Keep the tone professional and concise." Anticipated Value :  Improved response times with co-workers and contacts, and potentially more thoughtful responses through context drawn in and a head-start on questions you may want to ask if there was any ambiguity. Friday Activity :  The work week is nearly over and you've accomplished so much. Whilst this is the case, there may be elements you've missed or actions you need to add to your to-do list to prepare you for the following week. Whilst I use Copilot in OneNote where I store my tasks and meeting notes, this catch-up prompt will work best for most in Teams or Outlook. "Review all missed messages, emails, and any work assigned to me since [specific date/time]. Summarise the key actions required and provide an estimated time to complete each task. Include any deadlines and suggest a prioritised sequence for completing these tasks based on urgency and importance." Anticipated Value :  Greater wellbeing and organisation from prioritising activities and assigning greater time to completion to help with fitting these into your diary, delegating, or pushing back. Improved quality of work through giving work the time required to complete. These are just my top five mainly across Microsoft Teams and Outlook where through my experience, the most value is to be had currently. By trying these out Monday through to Friday, I suspect you'll see a good improvement in your efficiency, but also your mindset and ability to improve the quality of what you're doing. Give these a go, share them with your colleagues, and get more adventurous with your experimentation across the whole suite. I'm always interested to hear what works for you so if you have any good suggestions, comment below or message me directly. Happy prompting! Credits Author: Rob Anderton Editorial: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat

As more organisations enforce and mandate return to the office policies, more employees are resisting, resenting, and rethinking if this is the employer for them. With the workforce having given so much and adapting so fast to the changing demands the pandemic brought, there appears to be a strong oversight on what has shifted since this time. From higher living and commuting costs to companies hiring talent more flexibly based on skills rather than location. All these factors now make it far less practical and far more costly for your colleagues to come together without a tangible benefit. Let's explore this a little further. Talent Isn’t Local Anymore Not too long ago, companies hired locally because that was the main way teams could collaborate and work together. Now it's hard to imagine a world without Microsoft Teams, Zoom and the likes. But the pandemic flipped the script, showing us that talent could be hired and thrive from anywhere - whether they were in New York, New Delhi, or nestled in a quiet location in the New Forest. The talent pool has become global, allowing organisations to find niche skills without relying on a single market. So, if your team is scattered across the country or in different time zones, does it really make sense to drag everyone back to the office? Ponder this:  Are we hiring for talent or proximity? The High Cost of “Team Bonding” in the Office In theory, hybrid work sounds great. Who wouldn't like some in-person time to connect, plus the freedom to work remotely around other life demands. But here’s the catch: when teams are geographically dispersed, mandating office days becomes personally expensive and cumbersome. Expecting everyone in for a few days here and there isn’t cheap, and let’s face it, many organisations haven't redesigned what they expect from this in-person time for it to be worth the extended commute and the pricey Pret. Ponder this:  Are your “in-office” policies actually making it easier for teams to work together, or just making the office rental cost feel more palatable? The True Value of Flexibility (It’s Not Just About Avoiding the Commute) Employees rallied during the pandemic, adapting their homes, routines, and lives to keep companies afloat. This forced flexibility allowed them to find a better work-life balance with less time commuting, more time with family, and, yes, an extra hour of sleep here and there. For many, it even meant affordable living outside city centers and getting onto the property ladder. By enforcing mandatory office days, companies unnecessarily risk dismantling the inclusive and valued benefits this new way of working affords, which could lead to attrition, disengagement and even higher levels of burnout. Let us not forget that a reduced commute has sometimes led to employees providing even more hours to their employers. Ponder this:  Are mandated office days about productivity or presenteeism? The Risk of Outdated Office Norms Bringing people back into the office might feel comforting to leadership, but to employees who’ve sampled remote work’s flexibility, it feels unjustified, outdated and unnecessary. A sweeping, one-size-fits-all approach to hybrid work is likely to miss the mark. Especially when teams are spread out and accommodating unique circumstances can lead to higher individual and team performance. Companies need to be intentional, bringing people together with purpose rather than on a blanket schedule. Equal policies are not always equitable, Final Ponder:  In a world that’s learned to work from anywhere, why are we still clinging to the idea of “being in the office”? So, What’s the Better Way Forward? The companies that get hybrid working right will be the ones who listen to what works for their teams and is forward thinking in the experience they want to create. If you’re going to bring people together, make it meaningful and be clear on the purpose for doing so. Don’t just mandate office days because it feels “like the right thing to do.” Ask yourself if it actually adds value to the team, the individual and the organisation. The future of work is flexible and trust-driven. Let’s make sure our policies reflect that, rather than forcing employees back into a system that was designed for a different time. Credits Author: Rob Anderton Editorial: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat Images: OpenAI. (2024).  ChatGPT 4o [Large language model].  https://chat.openai.com/chat