CollabTalk Podcast | Episode 153 with Galen Keene and Shari Oswald

 

For Episode 153 of the CollabTalk Podcast, our discussion focused on Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago last month, and how conferences provide valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and engaging with experts, as highlighted by Ignite’s Community Hub’s roundtable discussions and expert Q&A sessions. Despite some challenges, such as limited expo hall offerings and scheduling conflicts, conferences like Ignite and Inspire serve as key platforms for exploring themes like AI advancements, productivity tools, and evolving authentication methods. Our conversation highlighted major announcements around Azure AI and Copilot, enhancing productivity through tailored, scalable AI Agents, as well as the new Windows 365 Link edge device and 3rd party solutions like YubiKey are redefining secure, efficient authentication and remote work capabilities. You can listen to the podcast above and follow me using your favorite app, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, or the iHeartRadio app. Be sure to subscribe!

 

Joining me on this podcast:

• Galen Keene (@sdkeene), CEO of Lion Tech and strategic operations lead at Smarter Consulting. Galen is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in collaboration technologies like SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, and the Power Platform since 2007. With a focus on digital transformation, he excels in architecting and leading global projects that unify people, communications, and data, helping enterprises maximize efficiency and achieve their strategic goals. [LinkedIn | Company]
• Shari Oswald (@shortcutshari), Owner and Principal of PowerUp! Learning, a Microsoft technology training company. Shari is an M365 MVP, a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), Microsoft Certified Specialist Master (MCSM), consultant, presenter, author, and evangelist. When not working with a client, teaching an on-site class, or presenting at a conference, Shari is creating content for LinkedIn Learning, ClipTraining.com and Pluralsight, or answering community questions as part of the #M365AMA YouTube series. You can find her blog at https://shortcutshari.com/  [LinkedIn | Company]

Here is a list of the articles and updates discussed in the latest podcast:

• Microsoft Ignite 2024 Book of News [https://news.microsoft.com/ignite-2024-book-of-news/]
• Microsoft Ignite Keynote [https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/KEY01]
• Microsoft Ignite 2024: all the news from Microsoft’s IT pro event [https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/19/24300001/microsoft-ignite-2024-news-ai-announcements-copilot-windows-azure-office]
• Introducing Copilot Actions, new agents, and tools to empower IT teams [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2024/11/19/introducing-copilot-actions-new-agents-and-tools-to-empower-it-teams/]
• Build agents with Copilot Studio agent builder [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-copilot/extensibility/copilot-studio-agent-builder-build]
• The next wave of Azure innovation: Azure AI Foundry, intelligent data, and more [https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/the-next-wave-of-azure-innovation-azure-ai-foundry-intelligent-data-and-more/]
• Scott and Mark learn responsible AI [https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK329]
• Inside Azure innovations with Mark Russinovich [https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/sessions/BRK246]
• Windows 365 LinkPREVIEW [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-365/link]
• Using a Microsoft account with a YubiKey [https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/microsoft-accounts/]
• Microsoft Re-Designs the iPod Packaging [https://youtu.be/EUXnJraKM3k]

Be sure to subscribe for more collaboration, productivity, and AI-related business and technology content like this each Thursday, as well as the #MVPbuzzChat interviews with Microsoft MVPs and Regional Directors every Monday. Thanks for listening!