With more ways than ever to build AI agents, how do you know which approach is right for your business? In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David explore AI harnesses in Microsoft Copilot Studio, comparing the Standard Harness with the GitHub Copilot Harness. They discuss orchestration, skills, memory, file creation and governance, using real-world scenarios to explain when each approach makes sense.

The key takeaway? Don't choose the newest technology just because it's available. Choose the right architecture for the job.

In this episode, David and Matt are joined by Microsoft MVP and AI Workforce Lead at Phoenix Software, Lewis Thompson, to explore the next big evolution in AI: Microsoft Copilot Autopilot. Lewis shares his hands-on experience with the technology, explaining how AI is moving beyond answering questions to independently carrying out everyday tasks. From automating time-consuming admin to understanding the importance of governance, security and responsible AI adoption, the conversation explores what Autopilot could mean for the future of work. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with real-world examples, practical advice and tips for getting the most out of Microsoft's latest AI capabilities.

How much is AI actually going to cost your organisation?

As Microsoft moves further towards usage-based billing, answering that question is becoming increasingly difficult. Copilot credits, consumption charges, different agent harnesses and costs associated with building, testing and running AI all mean organisations need to think differently about how they budget for Microsoft technology.

In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David welcome back Rich Gibbons, the first returning guest to the podcast, to make sense of the changing commercial landscape around Microsoft Copilot and AI.

The conversation explores how Copilot credits work, where unexpected costs can appear and why having a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence does not necessarily mean every Copilot experience is covered. Rich also explains why the shift towards consumption-based AI creates new challenges for finance, IT and development teams trying to predict and control spend.

More importantly, the discussion looks beyond the cost itself. If an AI agent costs £100,000 but creates £1 million of value, is it expensive? How do you build a business case when AI usage can be unpredictable? When should you use an agent, and when could a traditional automation achieve the same result at a lower cost?

Join Matt, David and Rich for a practical look at the real cost of AI, why organisations need to start designing with cost in mind, and what you can do now to avoid an unexpected AI bill.

How many inefficient processes are hiding inside your organisation? Spreadsheets being emailed around, information entered multiple times, manual approvals and tasks that take far longer than they should.

In this episode of Mastering Mondays, Matt and David are joined by Simon Croll. Simon is the Power Platform and AI Practice Lead at Phoenix Software, here to help us explore how Microsoft Power Platform can help organisations rethink the way they work.

From Power Apps and Power Automate to Copilot Studio, Dataverse and AI, the conversation looks at how organisations can use technology they may already have to automate processes, improve productivity and give people the tools to solve everyday business problems.

Simon also explains why technology should never be the starting point. Understanding the problem, questioning existing processes and choosing the right solution are essential if organisations want to create something people will actually use.

There is also plenty of discussion around citizen developers, governance, data, adoption and the growing role of AI in Power Platform, including how natural language is making it easier for more people to build their own solutions.

Join Matt, David and Simon for a practical conversation about Power Platform, process improvement and how organisations can turn frustrating ways of working into smarter ones.

Do businesses, especially small to medium-sized enterprises and educational institutions, truly grasp the potential of Microsoft and its ability to bolster both their financial health and day-to-day efficiency, and more? In our inaugural episode of Mastering Mondays, we're joined by Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Shane Young. Together, we explore how businesses and educational providers can and are leveraging Power Apps to reduce costs and streamline mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on what truly matters. We also delve into CoPilot, examining its current capabilities and future potential. Join us and Shane as we share invaluable tips, insights, and more on this debut episode of Mastering Mondays. If this episode inspires you, and you need support to turn your ideas into reality, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at support@nomorebadmondays.com.

In episode two of Mastering Mondays, we explore the benefits of automation for small to medium-sized enterprises and educational institutions using Microsoft products. Along with our guest, Eldon Chinyamakobvu from Automate Everything!, we discuss how automation, including the use of tools like Power Automate and CoPilot, can enhance efficiency and productivity. During the episode, we also examine the advantages of creating in-house solutions to reduce third-party costs that can often outperform external competitors. Join us for invaluable tips, insights, and practical advice from Eldon. If this episode inspires you and you need help bringing your ideas to life, contact us at support@nomorebadmondays.com.

In today's episode of Mastering Mondays, we chat with Debolina Dasgupta, the Microsoft Expert at the World Customs Organisation. Debolina has successfully implemented several Power Apps within the organisation and is a strong advocate for Microsoft products like SharePoint, Loop, and Planner. Leading the transition from outdated legacy systems, Debolina shares her insights on leveraging Microsoft's suite of applications. We delve into the specifics of this transformation and explore how businesses and educational institutions can adopt similar strategies to enhance their operations.

In episode four of Mastering Mondays, we delve into the complexities of Microsoft licensing with the renowned expert Rich Gibbons, often hailed as "The Notorious B.I.G of Microsoft Licensing." Navigating Microsoft's options and pricing structures can be daunting, but Rich helps us break it all down. We explore the key differences in licensing types, uncover strategies to reduce costs, and ensure your organisation is using the most suitable licenses. Tune in for invaluable tips, insights, and practical advice that can transform your approach to Microsoft licensing. If you're inspired and need our support, contact us at support@nomorebadmondays.com.