Rolling out a new tool is one thing. Ensuring everyone uses it is a whole different matter. Hardly anyone reads a manual. A training session is forgotten after a week.

What does work? A colleague saying, "Wait, let me show you how I do that."

That's exactly what a champions program does.

What is a champion?

A champion is an employee enthusiastic about Microsoft 365 and helps colleagues with it. Not an IT person, but someone from the workplace. Someone who truly knows how the work goes.

A champion:

  • answers simple questions from colleagues;
  • shares tips that fit the team's work;
  • communicates signals to IT or the project team;
  • is the first to try out new features.

How to set it up

1. Find the right people

Don’t choose people just because they have spare time. Choose people who are curious and like to help colleagues. Ask team leaders who currently gets questions.

2. Ensure good distribution

One champion per team or department works better than ten in IT. Ensure every location and role is represented.

3. Give them an advantage

Champions get new features and training earlier. This way, they always have something new to share.

4. Build a community

An exclusive Teams channel, a monthly session, and direct lines with IT. Champions learn the most from each other.

5. Make it visible

Recognize champions in the organization. Mention them in newsletters and ask leaders to set aside time for them.

Common mistakes

  • Not making time. Being a champion alongside a full-time job is unsustainable.
  • Champions as a free helpdesk. They are there for tips and trust, not to solve outages.
  • No goal. Agree on what the program aims for, such as the use of Teams meetings or Copilot.

Champions and Copilot

In the rollout of Copilot, champions are invaluable. AI requires a different way of working. A colleague showing how they create a weekly report in ten minutes with Copilot is more convincing than any demo.

Technology is simple, change is people work

At 365 Angels, we see it time and again: adoption succeeds through people, not licenses. We assist organizations in setting up and guiding champions programs that continue to work, even after the project phase.

Want a champions program that really makes a difference? Schedule a consultation and we’ll help you get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many champions do I need?

A rule of thumb is one champion per fifteen to fifty employees. More importantly, ensure good distribution across teams.

How much time does a champion need?

Count on a few hours per month. More during rollout.

Does a champion need to be technical?

No. Curiosity and the willingness to help are more important than technical knowledge.