Realize the Full Potential of Your Microsoft 365 License and Subscription

We recently read that 44% of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) licenses are "underutilized or oversized". This means that nearly half of businesses are paying for features they are not using or paying for more than they actually need. 

Microsoft 365 is packed with powerful tools and is used in every industry and role, from your C-level group to your admin team to your frontline staff. 

However, it seems that most of us only scratch the surface. Whether you’re working in Excel, Outlook, Teams, or exploring newer tools like Planner, Forms, or Loop, your license includes far more than email and documents. The question is: are you using what you’re paying for? And if not, what can you do to correct that?  

In this article, we'll share some common mistakes people make after installing Microsoft 365 and how you can make the most of your license. We'll discuss:

• Common Mistakes in Using Your Microsoft 365 License
• Discover and Explore Different Microsoft 365 Apps
• How Smarter Training Can Lower Your Microsoft 365 License Costs
• Explore All the Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business
• Finding GREAT Training and Additional Resources
• Stay Up to Date with Microsoft 365 with Our New Features Upskilling Workshops
• Make the Most of Your Microsoft 365 Subscription with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company

   

Common Mistakes in Using Your Microsoft 365 License 

You might be thinking: Of course I use my Microsoft account! I couldn't even function without it!  

Sure, you're checking your emails on Outlook and having your meetings on Teams. You might even be storing your documents on OneDrive. But are you really getting the full benefit of your tools? 

Here are some of the most common mistakes that we see organizations making:  

• Only using some of the programs, like Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word, while completely missing others (like OneDrive or Copilot) 
• Ignoring Microsoft's productivity apps, like Planner, To Do, and Forms 
• Failing to see how various Microsoft 365 programs work together and can help you collaborate 
• Taking training that hasn't been updated or doesn't reflect the latest and greatest in Microsoft 365's programs 

Discover and Explore Different Microsoft 365 Apps 

Did you know that the Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan includes 10+ apps? How well do you know these programs?  

When people think of Microsoft 365, they usually picture the classics, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. But that’s only part of the picture. Microsoft 365 also includes a wide range of apps and services that many users overlook: 

Bookings: Online appointment scheduling that integrates with Outlook. 

Clipchamp: Easy video editing for professional-looking content. 

Delve: Surfaces personalized content and insights across Microsoft 365. 

Exchange: Enterprise-grade email and calendar management. 

Forms: Quick polls, surveys, and quizzes built right into Microsoft. 

Lists: Track anything from issues to inventory in Teams or SharePoint. 

Loop: Collaborative workspaces that follow you across apps. 

Copilot: Your built-in AI assistant, helping you streamline everyday tasks. 

OneDrive: Store and share files securely in the cloud. 

Planner: Simple task tracking for individuals or teams. 

Power Automate: Build automated workflows between apps and services to save time on repetitive tasks. 

Power BI: Visualize and analyze data with interactive dashboards and reports. 

SharePoint: Build team sites and manage content across your organization. 

Stream: Record, upload, and share training videos or meetings. 

Sway: Make your presentations, reports, and newsletters more interactive and polished without heavy design work. 

To Do: Daily planning that syncs with Outlook tasks. 

Visio: Create professional diagrams, flowcharts, and org charts to visualize processes and ideas clearly. 

Whiteboard: A collaborative digital canvas for brainstorming and visual teamwork. 

Will you need every one of these programs in your role? Of course not! There are even more apps that handle advanced security features, such as Purview or Defender, that your organization's IT department might be using.  

However, if you use Microsoft 365, it is a good idea to know all the programs available. You may be missing out on an opportunity to streamline your workday. For example, if you're tracking tasks in a notebook, Planner, or To Do, it could help keep everything organized. Or maybe you're using third-party programs or outsourcing video editing when Clipchamp offers polished results right inside Microsoft 365.  

How Smarter Training Can Lower Your Microsoft 365 License Costs 

When your team relies on only a handful of familiar apps, that is where wasted costs start to creep in. You may be paying for higher-level licenses that include tools your staff never touch. By understanding what is included in your subscription, you can right-size your licenses and make better use of the features you already have. 

It also helps you avoid paying for third-party programs when the solution is already built into Microsoft 365. Programs such as Planner, Forms, and OneDrive often replace separate apps your team may be using, cutting down on extra subscriptions and saving money while keeping everything connected in one system. 

Explore All the Benefits of Microsoft 365 for Business 

So, we know there are a lot of programs included in your Microsoft 365 Business subscription. But do you know how they all work together?  

Tasks in Planner or To Do connect directly with Teams, so your conversations and assignments stay in one place. A quick Form can feed results into Excel for a live report you can share with your team. And with SharePoint, your files connect to Teams, Word, and even Outlook, so everyone always has the correct version at hand. 

Used separately, these tools are helpful. Used together, they elevate your workday to a whole new level. That’s why it pays to understand what is included in your subscription and how to make it work for you. 

Finding GREAT Training and Additional Resources  

Not all Microsoft training is created equal. The platform changes constantly, and if a course is based on an old outline, you miss the features that matter today. For example, we recently updated our Teams Complete course. Back in 2020, Teams was primarily used for chat and meetings. Now it has grown into a full hub for collaboration, connecting with apps like Planner and To Do. Our courses evolve with Microsoft 365, so you always learn the tools as they are used today (not how they worked years ago). 

Stay Up to Date with Microsoft 365 with Our New Features Upskilling Workshops 

You do not always need a complete course to sharpen your skills. Sometimes, you just need to check out what is new. Microsoft rolls out updates every month, and those changes are meant to make your work easier. But if your team is still working the old way, you are not getting the value you are paying for.  

Our New Features Upskilling workshops are designed as a quick annual check-in. If you already know the basics, these focused sessions show you the latest features, shortcuts, and updates that will save time and improve collaboration.  

This is not about more training. It’s about smarter training. Upskilling keeps you current with the tools you use every day, without the overwhelm of relearning what you already know. 

[Learn more about our New Features Upskilling workshops here].  

Make the Most of Your Microsoft 365 Subscription with The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company 

We make it our business to know Microsoft 365, from standard programs like Word and Excel to new features like Copilot. Our instructors stay on top of the constant updates so you don’t have to.  

Our Microsoft 365 courses are designed to help you better understand your Microsoft 365 plan. Consider some of our courses:  

Microsoft 365 – The Essentials 

If you are new to Microsoft 365, this course gives you the foundation you need. We start with the basics and show you how tools like Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Planner connect so that you can work smoothly with your colleagues. 

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Microsoft 365 – Integrating with OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint 

Files are at the centre of your work. This course is designed to help you and your team stop chasing versions, avoid duplication, and feel confident about where everything is stored. We cover the best practices for file management and collaboration across OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint, so you always know where to find what you need. 

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Microsoft 365 – Streamline Your Workflow with To Do, Planner, and Teams 

Tasks have a way of slipping through the cracks. This course shows you how to use To Do, Planner, and Teams together to organize your projects, track progress, and ensure nothing gets lost. You will learn how to manage assignments, create custom boards, and connect tasks with Teams and SharePoint to create a straightforward, efficient workflow. 

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Microsoft 365 – New Features 

New updates are released constantly, but are you keeping up? This course is designed for individuals who are familiar with the basics and wish to explore the latest developments. From PowerPoint’s Morph Transition to Excel’s latest data analysis tools, you will learn the updates that matter most and how to put them into action right away. 

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Microsoft 365 – Boost Your Everyday Productivity Workshop 

Many of the most powerful Microsoft 365 tools are the ones people overlook. This workshop introduces you to hidden gems like Forms, Sway, Whiteboard, Bookings, Loop, and Stream. Each tool solves a different problem, and together they can save you time while boosting collaboration across your team. 

COURSE OUTLINE PRIVATE TRAINING REGISTER NOW

Every organization uses Microsoft 365 differently. Your subscription covers it all, but if your training doesn't match your actual software usage, you might not get the clearest picture of whether to buy more licenses or assign them elsewhere.  

That's why many organizations book private training with us. We take the time to understand your business and then build a course that reflects what you actually need. 

At The Great Canadian Training & Consulting Company, we know Microsoft 365 inside and out. Our courses are kept up to date, so you always learn the tools the way they work today, not how they worked years ago. Just as important, our instructors make the learning process engaging, practical, and easy to follow. When you train with us, you gain more than technical skills. You gain the confidence to connect your license to your work and put Microsoft 365 to use in ways that make a real difference. 

Make Microsoft 365 work harder for your team. Schedule your complimentary training strategy session today to explore hidden features and streamline your subscription or learn more about the courses we offer to address how you use Microsoft 365.