Microsoft entered the AI arena with Copilot, closely following Google's Duet launch. This game-changer for small businesses, is powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT’s cutting edge technology. Remember our 2022 prediction about AI revolutionising our world? Well, 2024 is witnessing this transformation!

What Do Small Businesses Desire?

Our research, in collaboration with our technology partners and clients, reveals a striking fact: 86% of small businesses are only focused on one of three key objectives.

Firstly, they aim to expand by either increasing sales to existing customers or reaching new ones. Secondly, operational efficiency is crucial. Many businesses struggle with disjointed systems and outdated processes, dreaming of streamlined operations for better customer service. Lastly, managing risk is vital, whether it's planning for a business partner's retirement, retaining key employees, or protecting your IP and data!

A Triad Solution How does Microsoft Copilot, Googles Duet fit into these business needs? Let's delve in:

1. Growth: Generative AI can act as a powerful engine for business growth, providing AI-driven market analysis, insights into customer preferences, and support in developing focused marketing strategies. A prime example is our client, Think Mental Health with the help of generative AI, has significantly expanded its global reach. Their groundbreaking work in diversity, equity, and inclusion now spans 23 countries, including China, Australia, USA, Costa Rica, Thailand, Denmark, among others.

2.Operational Efficiency: Duet and now Copilot both shine in automating mundane tasks, managing schedules, and enhancing inter-departmental communication. It's like an ever-efficient virtual assistant. Our trials in logistics showed a 40% reduction in processing time, freeing up valuable time for strategic work.

3.Risk Management: While not a crystal ball, Generative AI now they are integrated with within your workplace productivity tools and data can excel in scenario planning and risk assessment. It enables businesses to prepare for various contingencies, turning "what ifs" into manageable "even ifs."

Microsoft Copilot, Googles Duet both offer a comprehensive solution for growth, efficiency, and risk management. It's about being smarter in today's market. The future of business with AI is here, and it's time to take control.

Stepping into AI might seem daunting, but our updated E-Learning Course is here to help you today!

Are you ready to revolutionise your productivity and gain a competitive edge?

Visit academy.think-cloud.co.uk now for an exclusive opportunity! Use the limited-time 100% Discount Code: hack34 to unlock free access now!

Put These Seven Things In Your 2024 IT Strategy.

As we enter 2024, it’s the perfect time to set the stage for an AMAZING year. And one crucial part of this is reviewing your IT strategy.

You don't have one? Well, now is the perfect opportunity to put it together.

Think of it as your business’s tech roadmap – a clear plan that shows how you’ll use technology to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.

We believe your strategy should cover these seven areas:

1. Business goals alignment: Your IT strategy should align seamlessly with your business goals. It’s not only about your technology but how that tech can help you achieve your bigger objectives.

2. Security first: Cyber security is no joke; your IT strategy should prioritise IT. Protect your data, your customers’ trust, and your reputation.

3. Budget and resources: Outline your budget for tech investments and ensure you have the right resources to execute your strategy effectively.

4. Technology stack: What tools and technologies will drive your business

forward? Ensure your IT strategy identifies the right solutions to meet your needs.

5. Scalability: Think about next week, month, and year, not just today. Your IT strategy should be flexible enough to grow with your business.

6. User experience: Don’t forget about your team. Consider how your tech

choices impact your employees’ daily work – a happy team is productive.

7. Data management: How will you collect, store, and use your data to make informed decisions?

An effective IT strategy isn’t just blindly following the latest tech trends. It’s about harnessing the right technology to drive your business forward, all while keeping an eye on security and your bottom line.

Creating or refining your IT strategy can feel like diving right in at the deep end, but you don’t have to do it alone. We can help you create the right strategy for your business.

THE HACK PODCAST

The Hack Podcast How To Defeat Drama & Gossip: Go To The Source.

Join Leon, Paul & Dean in this enlightening podcast, where they guide you on the path to recognising and conquering sources of drama and gossip that have the potential to undermine your team dynamics and relationships.

This principle applies to all circles of influence and is crucial for optimal performance. However, it holds particularly true for you as a leader and your team. Creating an expectation where individuals are encouraged to address issues directly with the person involved is one of the best things you can do for your company culture.

Empower your people with tools to express their thoughts and experiences constructively. Reinforce the idea that it is everyone's responsibility to act as a Firewall when approached with an issue about someone else.

By advocating for the highest possible good of your team and its members, you demonstrate respect by addressing differences directly.

Leon starts the podcast by reflecting on an instance when he unknowingly created drama that could have been avoided.

The episode highlights the importance of addressing issues with the person involved rather than involving others.

Read the full Blog Here!

Listen on Spotify

NEW TO MICROSOFT 365

Let Copilot organise your tabs for you!

Is there no end to Copilot’s ability to keep you more organised and productive?

Apparently not. Now, you can ask your AI assistant to organise your tabs

in Microsoft Edge. It will group together similar tabs and use colours and labels to

help you tell the groups apart. Simply open Copilot and ask it to “organise my tabs”.

NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE

Use the confidential mode in Gmail & protect your data.

You may have been wondering how to send sensitive information via Gmail securely. To do that, before you send off your email with Gmail, click the button at the bottom of your email to turn confidential mode on/off. This will protect your email and data by restricting recipients from forwarding, copying, downloading or printing your message and the attached files. You can even set an expiration date and the requirement for an SMS verification code that a recipient needs to access your email.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest

source of learning.”

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft

TECH FACTS

Google’s original name was “Backrub” because it analysed website backlinks. These are still considered one of the most important factors in determining the importance and visibility of a website.

The first 3D printer was developed by Chuck Hull in 1983. It was called a “stereolithography apparatus”, later the SLA-1. This was the starting point of a new era for manufacturing.

The first YouTube video was uploaded by co-founder Jawed Karim on 23rd April 2005. “Me at the Zoo” is 19 seconds long. Jawed stands before elephants at San Diego Zoo and talks about their long trunks. It’s had 294m views!

Did you know....

Google has saved people 10,000 years of waiting for web pages to load?

In August 2021, Google updated its search ranking algorithms to favour fast and user-friendly websites. This puts pressure on website owners to make their sites perform better. Now Google says it’s saved us 10,000 years of waiting for web pages to load and more than 1,200 years of waiting for web pages to respond to input.

Thanks, Google!

Tech Update

Microsoft is saying goodbye to its Tips app for Windows 11

Microsoft thinks Windows 11 is so easy to use you won’t need its Tips app anymore. The tech giant’s added it to a list of features that will be deprecated.

While Microsoft will continue to update the app with new content as long as it’s preloaded in Windows, Tips will likely vanish entirely with the next major update (expected in the summer).

Think Clouds Chosen Charity

Here at Think Cloud, we have an incentive where for every ticket feedback survey we have a response from, we donate £1 to our chosen charity.

For this last quarter, we choose: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The total number of feedbacks was 394,

which raised £394!

Well Done to all

The Team

Using ChatGPT or Google Bard

Prompt Tutorial: Using ChatGPT or Google Bard

Act as a Beginner In Blog Writing

Explain Like I'm A Beginner Feynman Prompt

"Explain Blog writing in the simplest terms possible as if teaching it to a beginner. Identify gaps in my understanding and suggest resources to fill them."

FUN TECH QUIZ

JANUARY’S FUN TECH QUIZ - WHO WILL BE THE GOAT THIS YEAR?

Which tech term was originally coined by John McCarthy in 1956?

In websites, what is ‘CSS’ an abbreviation for?

What’s Phantom Vibration Syndrome?

What two categories can AI be classified into?

What’s the name for measuring and statistically analysing people’s unique physical and behavioural characteristics?

Answers at bottom of page.

Is your business part of the 21%?

Have you ever heard the saying that every company is now a technology company?

It’s a phrase that’s been buzzing around the business world, making you wonder… is it true?

Here’s the surprising reality: Stats reveal that only 21% of companies truly incorporate technology meaningfully into their strategic thinking. But don’t worry if you’re not in that 21% yet. Here are five ways you can be inspired.

First, learn from success stories. Look at other businesses that have embraced technology effectively.

What did they do? How did it benefit them? Use these examples as a source of inspiration.

Second, find yourself a tech partner. You need someone who can navigate this complex tech world alongside you. Look for a tech expert who can help you understand the potential of technology (we can certainly help with that).

Third, grasp the impact technology can have on your business. Ask your tech partner for ideas on how technology can boost your business.

Fourth, dip your toes into low-code or no-code solutions. You don’t need to have a computer science degree to leverage technology. Start with user-friendly tools and see how they can streamline your operations.

Lastly, participate in workshops. It’s not just about learning; it’s about envisioning a different future for your company. Get involved in sessions that encourage you to think creatively about how technology can shape your business.

Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way – get in touch.

Get In Touch

BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH

TP-Link RE700X Wi-Fi extender

If your team ever works from home, we bet some suffer from patchy Wi-Fi. Sometimes this is caused because they work too far from the router. That’s where this TP-Link Wi-Fi extender comes in. The performance is great, and you can link them together to create a network across a home.

£89.99 from Amazon.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

Should I be ditching passwords for Passkeys?

ANSWER

In short, yes. Passkeys are more secure and easier to use. They’re not available everywhere yet, but they’re rolling out.

QUESTION

My team use their phones for work. Should I give them company-issued phones?

ANSWER

You must know the security risks if they’re accessing company data on personal phones. Supplying company devices means you have more control over security measures, like encryption and remote wiping.

QUESTION

Some of my team use AI to help them with their roles. Should I monitor this?

ANSWER

You should monitor what tools your people are using and what data they share. Consider AI training for everyone to ensure you have no security issues.