Maximizing Output with Collaborative Innovation Software

Completely convinced the best teams right now aren’t waiting for perfect conditions. The world is moving waaay too fast. They're testing, refining, killing and scaling faster than anyone else using tools/tech that others are too scared/slow to try. We're continuously playing with tools at StealthX and iterating on our process to move faster and avoid analysis paralysis. Here's our current approach to testing tools we come across every week. Curious how others are doing this? I'd love to compare notes 😊 1. Find tools worth testing If someone finds an AI tool that could save time or improve efficiency, they drop a quick message in our chat. If it makes sense, I approve it instantly (no red tape, no waiting). 2. Get the tool, track it The person testing signs up and logs details in our "Radar", which includes cost, intended use, subscription renewal date, and who’s testing it. 3. Put it to work immediately No sandbox testing. We throw the tool into an actual project and see what happens. If it works well, we expand testing to others. If it doesn’t, we cut it fast. 4. Review, kill, or scale Every Friday we have a team innovation jam session where we review new tools tested that week, decide if we keep/kill them, and document anything we've learned for future reference. If a tool isn’t valuable, it’s canceled on the spot to avoid stacking unnecessary costs. 5. Keep budget in check We cap our monthly AI experimentation budget to keep things lean. If a tool proves its value, it might move into our long-term stack.. but only after discussion. This prevents “tool creep” and ensures we’re always optimizing for ROI. Why I think this works: 1. No waiting months to decide if a tool is worth using. 2. We only pay for what actually works. If it doesn’t add value, it’s gone. 3. We document everything. We’re not just testing, we’re learning and refining every week. Onward & upward! 🤘 — If you liked this post, check out my weekly newsletter https://lnkd.in/edqxnPAY

In a recent conversation with technology leaders of mid sized and large firms, I encountered a shared challenge: “How can we ensure our teams 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 of tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to justify the investment?” This aligns with findings from the Australian government’s recent trial of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Conducted by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), this six-month initiative gave 7200 government employees access to Copilot. The results were insightful. While the tool showed promise in simplifying workflows and supporting tasks like summarizing and content rephrasing, only one-third of users engaged with it daily, with others using it “a few times a week” or less. This moderate usage highlighted the opportunity for better alignment with workflows and training. Reflecting on the DTA’s experience, here are some strategies that can help drive effective AI adoption and maximize the impact of tools like Copilot: 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: In the DTA trial, teams who received customized training that connected Copilot’s features to their specific roles saw greater adoption and satisfaction. Tailoring training to reflect actual workflows can enable teams to realize the full potential of AI in their daily tasks. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: Some trial participants noted that Copilot’s features were easy to overlook within existing software. Making tools highly visible and intuitive within user interfaces can encourage consistent use and help employees see their value instantly. 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: The trial demonstrated the importance of setting achievable expectations around AI tools. Many participants entered the trial anticipating significant time savings, only to find moderate efficiency gains. A clear, upfront understanding of what these tools can and cannot achieve fosters user trust and engagement. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: As AI capabilities evolve, so too should employees’ skills. The DTA’s commitment to keeping “humans in the loop” underscores that AI is a support tool rather than a replacement for human judgment. Regularly scheduled upskilling and reskilling can empower employees to engage critically with AI outputs and adapt to new tools. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Some DTA trial participants found limitations due to compatibility issues, such as older Outlook versions. The DTA’s proactive approach to exploring AI tools is a powerful step toward modernizing workflows within the public sector. With the right training, workflow customization, and cultural buy-in, government agencies can make AI tools like Copilot an invaluable asset in achieving their mission. P.S. AI Champions can help with all of this! 𝘋𝘔 𝘮𝘦. :)

Last quarter, I sat down with a dozen organizations to understand how they're empowering their blended teams to succeed. A fascinating pattern emerged in our discussions about technology. One of the most striking success stories came from a financial services firm that cut their project coordination time by 50%. Their approach wasn’t about using more tools—it was about selecting the right ones and ensuring they were integrated into their workflow effectively. What stood out across industries is the critical role that the right technology plays in team success. Some of the most effective tools include: - Project management platforms (like Monday.com or Trello) that give everyone instant visibility - Communication tools (Slack, MS Teams) that bridge the physical/virtual gap - Secure document sharing systems (O365/Sharepoint, Dropbox, Google Workspace) that balance collaboration with data protection - Virtual workspace tools (Zoom, MS Teams) that empower distributed teams collaborate effectively   What truly sets successful teams apart is how they use these tools. For example, one team standardized MS Teams for all communication and collaboration, creating a unified space for real-time work. They also used AI for automated note taking, generating concise meeting summaries and highlighting key moments in video recordings, ensuring that team members who couldn’t attend could quickly catch up on the most critical parts and stay aligned.   The key takeaway here? Technology isn’t just about having the latest tools—it’s about making the right tools work for your team and using them in a way that enhances productivity and collaboration.   What tools have you found most effective for your blended teams? How do you ensure you're using them to their fullest potential?   #WorkforceTech #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork