If you haven’t experienced it yet, Microsoft Copilot is revolutionizing the way we work by integrating AI-powered assistance into your favorite Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook. This short, informative (and, dare we say fun!) tutorial will guide you through using Microsoft Copilot effectively in your work environment, helping you boost productivity and streamline your daily tasks. Getting Started with Microsoft Copilot Availability: Microsoft Copilot is available in various Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ensure your organization has the necessary licenses and that Copilot is enabled for your account. Accessing Copilot: In most applications, you can access Copilot through a sidebar or a dedicated button. Look for the Copilot icon or option in the ribbon menu. Basic Usage: Here's how to start using Copilot in different applications: Word: Use Copilot to draft, edit, or summarize content. Ask it to rewrite paragraphs or generate ideas. Excel: Ask Copilot to analyze data, create formulas, or explain trends in your spreadsheets. PowerPoint: Generate slide ideas, create outlines, or suggest design improvements. Outlook: Draft emails, summarize long threads, or suggest meeting times based on your calendar. Teams: Summarize meetings, create action items, or get context on project discussions. Copilot in Specific Work Scenarios Report Writing: Use Copilot in Word to help structure your reports, generate summaries, and even suggest data visualizations. Financial Analysis: In Excel, Copilot can assist with complex calculations, trend analysis, and creating financial models. Presentation Creation: Let Copilot in PowerPoint help you brainstorm ideas, create slide outlines, and suggest visually appealing layouts. Email Efficiency: Use Copilot in Outlook to draft responses, summarize long email threads, and manage your inbox more effectively. Project Management: In Teams, Copilot can help track project progress, summarize discussions, and create to-do lists from meeting notes. Advanced Copilot Techniques Natural Language Queries: Copilot understands natural language. Frame your requests as you would to a human colleague. Example in Word: “Draft a proposal from yesterday’s meeting notes.” Content Generation: Use Copilot to generate initial drafts or ideas. In Word or PowerPoint, you might say: "Create an outline for a presentation on climate change impacts" Data Analysis: In Excel, Copilot can provide insights: "What are the top-selling products this year, and how do they compare to last year?" Meeting Assistance: In Teams, use Copilot during and after meetings: "Summarize the key points from this meeting and create a list of action items" Email Management: In Outlook, Copilot can help manage your inbox: "Draft a polite response declining the invitation to the conference" Best Practices for Using Microsoft Copilot Be Specific: The more detailed your request, the better the output. Provide context and specifics when asking Copilot for assistance. Iterate and Refine: If the initial output isn't quite what you need, refine your request or ask Copilot to modify its response. Maintain Critical Thinking: Always review and validate Copilot's output. It's an assistant, not a replacement for your expertise and judgment. Respect Privacy and Confidentiality: Be cautious about inputting sensitive or confidential information when using Copilot. Combine with Human Creativity: Use Copilot as a starting point or to handle routine tasks, allowing you to focus on higher-level thinking and creative problem-solving. Microsoft Copilot is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance productivity across various work tasks. By understanding its capabilities and following best practices, you can leverage Copilot to streamline workflows, generate ideas, and focus on higher-value work. Remember, while Copilot is an impressive AI assistant, it's designed to augment, not replace, human intelligence.  Your expertise, judgment, and creative thinking remain crucial in producing high-quality work and making informed decisions. As this technology continues to evolve, staying informed about its capabilities and limitations will be key to effectively integrating Copilot into your professional life, ultimately leading to more efficient and innovative work practices.

It's that time of year again, and at RedCloud, we love nothing more than catching up with our past scholarship winners to see how they've been making their mark on the world. Today, we're thrilled to check in with Madeline Lambert, who previously won the prestigious RedCloud annual scholarship. As we embark on this "where are they now" journey, we're excited to hear all about Madeline's latest endeavors and accomplishments since receiving our support. Her journey thus far has been nothing short of remarkable, and we can't wait to share her inspiring update with our community. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Babson College in May. I was so fortunate to go to Babson and wouldn't have been able to do so without the help of the Dave Henderson Scholarship. Some of my Babson highlights included being the Vice President of Finance for the Student Government, where I managed $1.8 million, going to El Salvador on a Habitat for Humanity trip, virtually teaching entrepreneurship to children in Tanzania, and starting two clubs (figure skating club and a cheese society)! During the summer between my Junior and Senior years, I had a corporate finance internship at Target. After graduating, I started working as a Corporate Banking Analyst at Scotiabank in NYC. I live a few blocks away from work and get to walk down Wall Street, past the 9/11 memorial, NYSE, and One World Trade every day. I also have a view of the Hudson river and the Statue of Liberty from my office, so I love where I live and what I do so far. Currently my goals include growing my networking and moving my way up the corporate ladder. When I received the scholarship, I dreamed of being the CFO of a Fortune 500 company. While I would still love to do that, that goal honestly seems a little lofty now. I also have dreams of someday becoming an event planner or starting my own event planning company. If I could solve one problem in the world, it would be closing the wealth gap. Living in NYC and being a Wall Street banker, I see the wealth gap play out every day. I am surrounded by incredibly wealthy individuals at work every day and see countless people experiencing homelessness on the streets and subways. This is a very difficult problem to tackle, but I believe it begins with providing equal opportunities, ending discrimination, closing the gender wage gap, and providing more mental health resources. I have so much advice I would love to share with other young people pursuing education, but if I could pick one thing, it would be that your network is your greatest asset, and the only way to get better at networking is by doing it and being confident in yourself.

Scott Ekman, a long-time RedCloud veteran and dedicated Client Engagement Director, recently completed his first triathlon at the annual Lavaman Triathlon in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Known for his strategic vision and leadership skills, Scott embraced this personal challenge to push his physical limits. The triathlon not only tested his endurance but also offered valuable insights that he now applies in his professional life at RedCloud.  Let’s hear directly from Scott about his journey and the lessons he learned along the way. My goal was to finish my first triathlon, and why not do it in a beautiful, sunny, warm location like Waikoloa, Hawaii? The annual Lavaman Triathlon race, held in April, is Olympic length (1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run). As we age, finding an exercise motivator becomes essential, and this triathlon sounded like the perfect plan. I grew up a competitive swimmer, so I wasn’t too concerned about the swim. I’ve completed century-length bike races in the past, so I wasn’t worried about that leg either. However, I’m not a runner! My plan was to shuffle/jog as much as possible just to complete the race. Preparation included mile-long open ocean swims at local beaches like Hapuna and Mauna Kea, as well as biking through local communities and highways that paralleled the ocean. Putting them all together back-to-back on race day was definitely a challenge! Everything went well, and I had enough energy to ‘shuffle’ across the finish line about halfway through the 1000-person pack. Would I do it again? Absolutely – I signed up for next year one week later. This race has given me a new motivator to routinely exercise, putting my gym membership to better use and also giving me improved energy and a clear mind to tackle each day with more vigor. I aim to improve my bike and run times next year and sign up for a few more races in between Lavaman’s annual event. The Impact of the Lavaman Triathlon on My Professional Journey at RedCloud Similar to how I try to lead inside RedCloud and how I work with my teams, I started with the end in mind: finishing. Never veer from that vision – put it on the board, work backward, and just plan on it happening.  My family/peers wondered if that was achievable given I’ve never done one, getting older, and wasn’t swimming, biking, and running every day, but they gave me the benefit of the doubt and some encouragement along the way. In any business setting, there will always be challenges similar to those I had going into my race….budget, resources, timeline, etc., but just as in our team’s daily project work for our clients, the work you put into achieving that goal will help you overcome challenges and accomplish your goals, just like it did for me!   Reflecting on my journey from training to crossing the Lavaman finish line, I also learned (or maybe better said, remembered and reinforced!) valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience. These insights mirror my approach to leading and motivating my team through demanding projects or tough times in the business environment. It literally and figuratively is a marathon, not a sprint, so it is critical to have a holistic approach to any project, or in my case, a daunting physical challenge.  If this motivates you at all and you are looking for your first (and fun) triathlon, I highly recommend Lavaman. And hey, why not spend another week or so on the island after the race to recuperate and explore?

At RedCloud, we're dedicated to empowering our clients’ businesses with the tools and technologies they need to succeed in today's competitive landscape. While these days it feels like there is a new platform every day to help streamline business, every day, our team of experts research, evaluate, recommend, and leverage today’s leading tech platforms to drive success for our clients. In fact, we use many of these platforms for RedCloud’s own operations - so we certainly practice what we preach! Whether it's streamlining operations, gaining insights from data, or boosting productivity, we're here to help businesses thrive. Harnessing Leading Technologies At RedCloud, we understand that every business is unique, with its own set of needs and challenges. That's why our technology-driven practices are focused on harnessing the power of cutting-edge platforms  to drive success for our clients. With expertise in a range of platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Dynamics 365, Google Cloud Platform, Power Apps, Salesforce, and more, we offer tailored solutions designed to meet each client's specific requirements. Some Of The Platforms We Leverage Microsoft Azure:  As a trusted Microsoft partner, we leverage Azure's cloud computing services to help businesses scale, innovate, and succeed in the digital age. Power Platform: With Power Platform, we empower businesses to automate processes, build custom apps, and analyze data to drive productivity and efficiency. Tableau: Our expertise in Tableau enables businesses to visualize and understand their data, empowering informed decision-making and driving business growth. Microsoft 365: With Microsoft 365, we provide businesses with the tools they need to collaborate, communicate, and innovate, all within a secure and integrated environment. Google Workspaces:  Our proficiency in Google Workspaces enables seamless collaboration and communication, helping businesses stay productive and connected. Case Studies Optimizing Resources with Visualized Business Analytics A multinational software company faced the challenge of tracking and solving real-time issues across a suite of products. RedCloud implemented Tableau's data visualization tools, enabling the team to gain insights and optimize resources. By visualizing complex data sets, the team streamlined operations and addressed critical issues promptly, enhancing product performance and customer satisfaction. Managing Sales Leads with Salesforce A medical device company needed to improve sales lead management. RedCloud delivered a customized Salesforce CRM solution, enhancing efficiencies and growth strategy. By optimizing Salesforce, the sales team efficiently managed leads, tracked opportunities, and closed deals, leading to accelerated revenue growth and improved customer relationships. At RedCloud, we're committed to driving success for our clients through the strategic use of leading platforms and technologies. Contact us today  to learn more about how we can help your business thrive in the digital age.

This month, RedCloud’s Digital Solutions  practice, led by Benny Swedberg, was honored by Consulting magazine with the 2024 Leaders in Technology: Firm Excellence in Technology Application  award. This prestigious accolade recognizes our team’s ability to empower businesses to streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and embrace innovation, enabling our clients to adapt and thrive in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. The award specifically recognized RedCloud’s implementation of a comprehensive managed service for Digital Transformation for clients at an industry-leading, international retail corporation. In this ongoing engagement, our team devised a robust internal framework targeting multiple workstreams that were formerly manual, reliant on physical paperwork, or plagued by inefficiencies stemming from the integration of enterprise systems.  Our Digital Transformation team developed an integrated program encompassing marketing, triaging, project management, development, and support. The project accomplishments include a substantial reduction in the risk of data security breaches, a noteworthy decrease in workstream effort hours, and a substantial increase in net sales attributable to innovative merchandising assistance applications, resulting in seven-figure sales growth.   A big thanks must go out to our clients for their trust and partnership, and to our talented team of consultants working on the Digital Solutions practice for their unwavering passion and ingenuity, creating specific solutions to meet our clients’ most pressing challenges. Here’s to continued innovation and many more milestones ahead!

During 2021 our team is so excited to offer yearlong support to Solid Ground’s Broadview Shelter & Transitional Housing through donation of new technology such as tablets and mic headsets, but also by sharing the time and expertise of our employees. As part of our ongoing community efforts, RedCloud’s recruiting team will hold a monthly career day with Broadview to offer in-kind career coaching, job searching assistance and employment support for parents to re-enter the workforce. Knowing that the residents of the shelter are going through the toughest times of their lives, we’re grateful that we can offer our professional expertise and wisdom to them to help guide them in a positive direction. Solid Ground recently organized a virtual "Lunch and Learn" session for our volunteer team to enhance our understanding of the residents' healing processes. By collectively grasping how to best support and communicate with them in light of their experiences, particularly those emerging from domestic violence situations, we aim to interact with them respectfully and acknowledge their journeys. With their invaluable insights, we feel prepared and eager to begin offering assistance. To disseminate information about a widespread issue like domestic violence, which affects numerous individuals in our communities, here are some essential insights that aided our team in gaining a better understanding of our new acquaintances at Broadview: Domestic abuse can occur in many ways outside of physical abuse, including control over finances, control over technology, and even isolation from family and friends According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 2019 National DV Counts Census, in just one day, 77,226 adults and children received services from a domestic violence agency Approximately 50% of women who are homeless report that intimate partner violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness Homicides due to domestic violence nearly doubled in 2020 in King County Women and families of color, who are more likely to live in poverty, have fewer resources available to help them leave violent situations or to seek care for the violence they have suffered Most survivors do not feel safe calling the police (NDVH Report, 2015) Domestic violence can affect many aspects of the victim’s life, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health Given all that we learned with Solid Ground’s wealth of expertise presented, we feel empowered with these tools: The best way to speak to a victim is to listen, not judge Respecting boundaries when a resident says “no” is important, and giving them options is the best way to navigate where they prefer to go next Validate their experiences and let them know it’s okay to feel frustrated or uncomfortable, always offering a break if needed Residents will vary in readiness to work, so we will be prepared to meet them where they are In closing, we’re sharing the National Domestic Violence Hotline in case you or anyone you know needs resources, knowing that domestic violence occurs at all economic levels in all areas of the country: 1.800.799.7233

Delve deeper into our learning series with Yusuf's latest video, where he unveils 5 productivity-boosting tips using Microsoft’s tools. From leveraging stock photography in PowerPoint to implementing email templates and power automate flows, Yusuf shares his favorite go-to tricks in this insightful tutorial. Our newly launched fall series is packed with valuable tips straight from the experts at RedCloud. Discover their tried-and-true methods for streamlining tasks and optimizing efficiency. Explore the full series for more invaluable insights!

We’re kicking off the New Year with another helpful post from our Digital Solutions experts! In this latest video, Yusuf, our Power Platform Senior Associate at RedCloud, shares his top tricks for crafting a table-like gallery in Power Apps Canvas Apps. Watch as Yusuf demonstrates on-screen navigation, making it simple for you to replicate the process yourself. Don't forget to explore more educational videos in our collection !

Ready to learn more about HTML labels? Join Yusuf in this informative video as he guides you through reducing controls with HTML labels in Power Apps. Learn how excessive controls can impact app performance and discover tips to optimize your app for better user experience. With HTML labels, you can streamline controls and enhance app efficiency, ensuring a smoother experience for your users. Our helpful videos and how-to’s (all cataloged here ) include insights straight from RedCloud’s experts to help you be more efficient in your business practices.

You might not know that several of the most successful CEOs have partnered with mentors to propel their careers and organizations. In fact, CEOs often have several mentors throughout their careers and simultaneously. The presenter of RedCloud’s latest internal “Lunch and Learn” has 10 mentors! Many of our teammates have expressed interest in mentoring programs so we invited Tatia Zuloaga, CEO and Co-founder of Upnotch , to share the value of mentorship at our Lunch and Learn series in May. There are a lot of myths surrounding mentorship and how people perceive the process, and most people don’t realize there are actually a variety of ways to benefit as either a mentor, mentee, or even both. Taita explained the benefits of being a mentor and a mentee and that “you become a better mentor by being a mentee and you become a better mentee by being a mentor.” A few “Mentorship Myths” we learned from Tatia: You only need one mentor. Successful people don’t need mentors anymore. Having a mentor is a sign of weakness. Your mentor must be in your industry. You can only be a mentor or mentee. Your mentor must be older than you. It’s one-sided. It’s time-consuming. Your mentorship stops once you reach your goals. Mentorship is commonly known as a way to give back, but as Tatia taught us, it is equally as important to our growth. “Reverse mentorship” is a recent trend in which professionals with more experience and a well-established career seek mentors younger than them to understand the new generation and the perspectives they bring to their work. Tatia explained some key points on how the workforce has evolved today: Millennials now outnumber baby boomers. Learning from the new generations is critical to success. A focus on continuously upskilling, as current skills could become obsolete. Larry Page (Google), Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway), Bob Iger (Disney), and Jeff Bezos (Amazon) are a few more CEOs who’ve benefited from mentorship. While partnering with a mentor used to be for the elite, mentorship is now accessible to all professionals, from interns and CEOs. The value of mentorship results in happier workplace relationships and allows companies to retain top talent. Benefits of mentorship: Helps to retain talent. Reduces burnout. Creating space for managers to build more human relationships with their employees. 658% increase in equity, fairness, and inclusion since 2018 (Harvard Business Review). Tatia also shared tips and resources to ensure that whether you’re a mentor or mentee, you prepare for your role to create a successful partnership where both individuals benefit and grow. Here are a few tips for preparing for a mentorship: Set clear expectations. Come prepared with questions (3-5). Give gratitude and get feedback. Our team was intrigued to hear how mentorship is a continuous learning cycle beginning with meeting a mentor, growing, becoming a mentor, growing again, and seeking another mentor when you have a challenge or new leadership role that would benefit from mentorship. If you missed this Lunch and Learn, catch the recorded video below. Thank you, Tatia, and the Upnotch team for an informative presentation on mentorship!

Yusuf returns with another insightful how-to video, this time focusing on creating themes in Power Apps. Discover how this method can save you valuable time and energy on formatting, allowing you to concentrate more on your content. Particularly beneficial for adapting to changes in company or brand colors, logos, or fonts. In case you missed it, our learning series commenced in the last quarter of 2021, offering a wealth of tips and tricks to streamline your practices. Don't miss out on these valuable resources as you enhance your skills with our full catalogue here .

This month, we’re looking back at where we came from and where we’re headed as a team at RedCloud. Rather than hearing it from us, we sat down with a few of our consultants who’ve been a part of the RedCloud team from our early days. What better way to understand our history and our future than by hearing from our veteran team members? Read on to find out what Courtney Sunderji, Scott Ekman, and Scott Morton are most proud of since joining RedCloud, where they see the firm in 10 years, and more! Tell us how long you've been at RedCloud, your roles, and current projects/passions at the firm?  CS: I’ve been an Account Manager at RedCloud for a little over 3 ½ years. Time flies! I’m currently working with Microsoft, Premera, and most recently signed a new client, Intel. SE: I’m coming up on 7 years and was part of this initial rebranding of the firm, opening doors with new clients, and supporting the development of what we call a “high touch” consultant environment.  I’ve been a Client Engagement Director since joining RedCloud, working with clients, consultants, building capabilities, and making sure we stay true to our brand. My greatest passion inside RedCloud is being a part of building teams and strategies for clients that overachieve on goals. SM: I celebrated 4 years at RedCloud in April. My role has been an Account Director although I have also been contracted as a Marketing and Reporting Project Manager as well the Customer Success Manager of an outsourced managed service. What improvement or change at RedCloud has made the biggest impact throughout the years?  CS: I think our focus on diversifying within a Seattle market dominated by a few large tech companies has really paid off! There is so much more than just the big tech giants, and having a wide range of clients gives our consultants the best opportunity to be successful. It’s rewarding to see seasoned consultants rekindle a passion for their work by exploring new terrains. We’ve also had a lot of success with our practice areas which really sets us apart from other firms – it would be great to see us expand the number of practice areas we have. SE: Moving into a larger and open office space that accommodates not just the HQ staff but also encourages consultants and teams to come in and collaborate with one another.  There is a “buzz” in the office, an energy that makes you want to come in and be a part of it! SM: The continued improvements to recruiting and the ability to identify a candidate, connect, vet, and submit them to clients in a speedy yet thorough process have had the biggest impact on me. How has diversity (of all kinds) in RedCloud staff grown and where would you like to see it grow?  CS: We’ve diversified in terms of clients, types of roles, and our reach into new groups. The number of consultants and clients we have is higher than it’s ever been and I’d like to see us continue on that trajectory! SE: We’ve always embraced diversity as evident by the people we hire and organizations we support. SM: I have seen RedCloud become more diverse within the Account Team as well as with the group of consultants I manage. I would love to see the leadership team become more diverse as the firm grows. Where do you see RedCloud in another 10 years as a firm?  CS: Growing, growing, growing! I see RedCloud remaining a top firm in the area and really expanding in all facets. Staying true to our core values as a company and doing what we do best – bringing together talent and opportunity. SE: We are growing responsibly, mindful of maturing operations and consultant offerings (i.e. stronger practice areas and internal learning opportunities).  I see a larger and more mature version of today.  The key will be to maintain the “start-up” feel and mentality in the way we treat one another, engage with leadership daily, try new things, and have fun. SM: Assuming the industry or region is not impacted by some unforeseen events, I see RedCloud having been established as a leader in professional staffing and consulting and that more firms adopt the RC style of managing our staff and working with clients. What is the role of RedCloud's community program in the firm today - and/or any community highlights from your time here you can tell us about?  CS: To me, RedCloud is community . We have an amazing community of consultants, all of which offer a helping hand whether that be networking opportunities, training, or sharing tribal knowledge. We are also very involved in our outside community. My favorite community engagement to date had to have been our involvement with Broadview . Being able to see our support impact a family’s life is hard to beat. SE: Covid has certainly made community involvement more challenging but we have continued to make a difference.  I’m particularly excited to get back into the classrooms with Junior Achievement . It’s so rewarding to work with kids through the introduction of business concepts at such a young age and see them engage and be excited to learn more. SM: RedCloud supports the intersection of students, business, and education at all levels. Junior Achievement for Primary Students, DECA for Secondary Students, and Foster School of Business for Postsecondary Students. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer my time across all three programs and have always been impressed by the impact it has had on the students I’ve interacted with. What are you most proud of since joining RedCloud?  CS: The reputation we have in the field. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from both clients and consultants, which means we’re doing something right. I’m proud to work for a company that truly wants what’s best for those we do business with.   SE: I’m proud to see (and be a part of) diversifying our client base.  Many niche consulting firms are working with and dependent upon a single enterprise client, and we’ve been successful at working with over 25 different large and small companies over the years.  It offers variety for our consultants, allows us to gain different business perspectives across various verticals, and enables broader brand recognition. SM: I am most proud of my work in securing a managed service agreement with Microsoft and successfully implementing it during the early stages of the pandemic.  What is one thing that your past self would never have imagined your 2022 self would see, experience, or own? SE: Empty streets and beaches in Hawaii for months.  It was quite surreal.  At the same time, it afforded us an opportunity to venture to new places, hikes, and hidden beaches, as well as tighten the family bond! SM: How quickly the business world adjusted to the hybrid work model of 2022. I never would have imagined being able to attend meetings virtually in a way that makes me feel a part of the meeting rather than an outsider or presenter. What is the most exciting work or project you’ve been a part of at RedCloud? SE: There are lots of projects to talk about but above that, just being able to work so closely with our managing partners Brett Clifton and Brett Alston and to gain valuable knowledge into how they both succeed in business and in life.  SM: The most exciting time at RedCloud was when I contracted with Microsoft to do Sales Campaign Management as well as a Field Sales Community Manager. I had the opportunity to work with sellers and strategists to optimize their campaigns and provide them with actionable insights on their customers.