Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are constantly seeking ways to improve productivity and ignite creativity. Recently, Microsoft 365 Copilot has entered the scene and it’s proving to be a groundbreaking development that’s reshaping how SMBs operate. This innovative solution harnesses artificial intelligence to not only streamline everyday operations but also to boost productivity and innovation.  

Copilot’s Impact: is it worth it for SMBs? 

Microsoft 365 Copilot was initially launched for larger enterprises and educational institutions in November 2023. Following this initial launch, it expanded availability to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), making it accessible to a wider range of customers. 

Copilot helps businesses automate simple, everyday tasks and unearth intelligent insights. It uses smart technology to handle jobs like entering data, setting up calls, answering basic customer questions, and summarizing meetings. Additionally, it crafts complex codes like those used with Excel’s functions—all you need to do is provide the right prompts. The cost of using Copilot for a year is generally $360 per user, but the value depends on how much a business needs it and what they use it for. Nonetheless, investing in Copilot typically pays off due to increased efficiency, and because Copilot works quickly and makes fewer mistakes, customers tend to be happier and more loyal. 

Microsoft set a strong example by incorporating Microsoft 365 Copilot suite for their teams. This move significantly boosted productivity and improved the quality of work across the company. They shared insights showing that “83% of Copilot users reported enhanced sales productivity, and 64% noted it aided in making customer interactions more personalized.” With Copilot’s smooth integration into everyday tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, it quickly became essential for Microsoft staff. Interestingly, their research showed that 77% of users indicated they couldn’t imagine going back to working without Copilot after trying it. For more on how Copilot transformed operations at Microsoft and its impact, take a look at their Inside Track blog. 

What’s more, the impact of Copilot on enhancing creativity among its users is quite remarkable. According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index Special Report, a significant number of users experienced a boost in their capabilities since using Copilot. Specifically, 57% felt that Copilot made them more creative, with 68% stating it helped kick-start their creative process. Furthermore, an impressive 72% of users reported that Copilot was instrumental in helping them generate ideas while writing. These statistics underscore the valuable role that Copilot plays in not only enhancing productivity but also in fostering a creative mindset among users. For more insights into how Copilot is shaping creative processes at work, you can read more on Microsoft’s website. 

The partner opportunity with Copilot  

The naming of Copilot is no coincidence – if you are a pilot, AI is your copilot, helping you take off, navigate, and land safely. Likewise, the rising demand for AI in business presents a meaningful opportunity for OpenText™ Partners to help customers of all sizes become AI-powered organizations. Below are a few examples of how including Microsoft Copilot in your service offerings is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your business’s value proposition and open up lucrative new revenue streams: 

Sell Copilot licenses 

You have the opportunity to sell Copilot licenses directly to your clients. This not only adds a valuable product to your portfolio but also ensures a steady income from license renewals. Furthermore, as businesses increasingly adopt AI solutions, the demand for Copilot is set to rise, providing a sustainable growth avenue. 

Provide support 

Offering dedicated support services for Microsoft Copilot is another key aspect of this opportunity. By ensuring that your clients have access to expert advice and troubleshooting, you can improve their overall experience and satisfaction with the product. This proactive support not only reduces downtime but also empowers clients to leverage Copilot fully, maximizing their return on investment. 

Include training as a separate offering 

By developing a training program tailored to Copilot, you can position your business as an expert. For example, by educating users on prompt writing and effective interaction, businesses can maximize its potential. Effective training helps clients understand and utilize the full potential of Copilot, leading to higher adoption rates and more successful outcomes. Additionally, offering training services builds client confidence and reinforces your role as a trusted advisor. This not only strengthens client relationships but also opens doors to further business opportunities as clients seek guidance on additional solutions or advanced features. 

Leverage incentives 

Microsoft’s Tier 2 accelerator program provides significant financial incentives to partners who are actively engaging with Microsoft’s ecosystem. This program offers up to 10.75% in rebates, a substantial reward that underscores Microsoft’s commitment to supporting growth and success. 

What’s more, you can tap into your current customer base to spark interest in Copilot and broaden your audience. Currently, you can take advantage of a 15% discount September 1 – December 31, 2024, for purchases of 10 – 300 seats, providing a great opportunity for your team to explore AI.  

How OpenText can help 

Once your Copilot Business is built and it’s time to scale, you can lean on support from OpenText and Microsoft to help define your AI goals and strategies, develop your sales and technical skills, and take new AI-powered services and solutions to market.  

We are happy to act as an extension to your team, ready to support and collaborate with you on the journey to AI-powered productivity. In addition to offering Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses through the CSP network, we work with your business one-on-one to help achieve your business goals and objectives, including AI initiatives and product presales, benefits, and incentives consulting.   

We can also help you build and train your Microsoft 365 Copilot teams with learning paths that enable greater innovation and long-term success. And if you ever need assistance with sales plays and marketing assets, our marketing support services offer valuable insights to level up your business.  

If you’re not already an OpenText partner, learn more about our Partner Ecosystem and join today.  

The post Maximize profits with Microsoft® 365 Copilot for SMBs  appeared first on OpenText Blogs.

Source: https://blogs.opentext.com/maximize-profits-with-microsoft-365-copilot-for-smbs/