Tutorial / Cram Notes
Organizations that incorporate Microsoft products and services into their daily operations often identify opportunities for improvement, whether to enhance functionality, user experience, or overall service delivery. Communicating directly with Microsoft about these opportunities can help shape future product development. Here’s how organizations can engage with Microsoft for product and service improvement suggestions:
UserVoice Forums
Microsoft UserVoice forums are one of the primary platforms that allow customers to suggest features, provide feedback, and vote on ideas submitted by other users. UserVoice pages exist for a wide range of Microsoft products and services, including Microsoft 365. By contributing to these forums, organizations can directly influence the priority of new features and enhancements.
Feedback Button in Office Apps
Many Microsoft Office applications come with a built-in ‘Feedback’ button, allowing users to send thoughts and suggestions directly to Microsoft. Typically found in the ‘Help’ or ‘File’ menu, this tool can be used to report bugs or suggest improvements to the specific app they are using.
Microsoft Tech Community
The Microsoft Tech Community is an online community where professionals can share best practices, advice, and talk about products. By engaging in discussions and providing feedback here, organizations can interact not only with Microsoft employees but also with other community members to discuss potential service improvements.
Customer Engagement Programs
Microsoft runs several Customer Engagement Programs (CEP) such as the Technology Adoption Program (TAP), allowing select customers to collaborate with Microsoft during the development process. These programs give organizations the opportunity to provide feedback on early versions of products.
Microsoft Support
When facing issues with a product or service, contacting Microsoft Support can also serve as an indirect channel of communication for improvement. By reporting a problem, you help Microsoft identify areas where the product or service could be enhanced.
Social Media and Official Blogs
Engaging with Microsoft via their social media accounts (like Twitter) or commenting on official blogs allows customers to share their insights and feedback. Social platforms often have dedicated teams responding to customer queries and suggestions.
Direct Partnerships and Customer Programs
Large organizations or significant customers may have direct partnerships or participate in specific customer programs. Through these, direct dialogue with product managers and engineers can occur, influencing the development roadmap.
Microsoft Conferences and Events
Events like Microsoft Ignite provide a platform for organizations to interact with the Microsoft team directly. They can join Q&A sessions, workshops, or one-on-one consultations to discuss their feedback.
Feedback and Engagement Channels Comparison
| Channel | Type of Interaction | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| UserVoice | Public forum | Feature suggestions and voting |
| Feedback Button | Direct feedback | Immediate app-specific suggestions or issues |
| Tech Community | Community discussion | Broad conversations, best practices, and feature requests |
| Customer Engagement Programs | Direct collaboration | Participating in product development and early feature testing |
| Microsoft Support | Issue resolution | Reporting problems or deficiencies in products |
| Social Media/Blogs | Informal engagement | Quick suggestions and insights |
| Direct Partnerships | Strategic collaboration | For significant customers with direct influence |
| Conferences and Events | Face-to-face engagement | Active discussion and networking for feedback |
Conclusion
Communicating with Microsoft about product and service improvements is essential for organizations that rely on Microsoft technologies. Leveraging channels like UserVoice, Microsoft Tech Community, and exclusive engagement programs allows users to provide valuable insights that can lead to enhancements and new features. The comparison of various communication channels gives an overview of how each can be tailored to different types of feedback. Engaging with Microsoft through these channels can enhance the user experience and benefit the community by contributing to the development of more user-oriented products and services.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Organizations can only communicate with Microsoft about product and service improvements during official support calls.
- Answer: False
Organizations have multiple avenues to provide feedback to Microsoft, not just during support calls, such as UserVoice, Feedback buttons within products, forums, and directly through their Microsoft representatives.
Which channel is commonly used by organizations to suggest new features for Microsoft products?
- A) Microsoft UserVoice
- B) Direct emails to Microsoft CEO
- C) Billboards near Microsoft offices
- D) Posting on unrelated social media platforms
Answer: A) Microsoft UserVoice
Microsoft UserVoice is a feedback platform that Microsoft monitors to gather user suggestions for new features and improvements.
True or False: The Feedback button in Microsoft 365 applications is intended for users to report bugs only.
- Answer: False
The Feedback button can be used to provide a range of feedback, including reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, and other product-related insights.
Which of the following is a venue for IT professionals to engage with Microsoft employees and discuss product improvements?
- A) Microsoft Tech Community
- B) Restaurant review websites
- C) Personal blogs unrelated to Microsoft
- D) Fictional book clubs
Answer: A) Microsoft Tech Community
The Microsoft Tech Community is an official forum where IT professionals can engage in discussions with Microsoft employees and others in the community about product improvements and best practices.
True or False: Microsoft uses feedback from Reddit threads to make product improvements.
- Answer: False
While Microsoft employees might browse various platforms including Reddit, the company does not officially use Reddit threads for structured product feedback or decision-making on product improvements.
How can organizations use their Microsoft Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to provide feedback about a product or service?
- A) By leveraging the support provided under the SLA
- B) By ignoring the SLA
- C) By amending the SLA themselves
- D) By using the SLA as a discussion point on unrelated forums
Answer: A) By leveraging the support provided under the SLA
The SLA typically includes support options that organizations can use to provide feedback or address issues related to Microsoft products and services.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are part of Microsoft’s ecosystem for collecting user feedback?
- A) Microsoft Feedback Portal
- B) Microsoft Service Assurance Dashboard
- C) UserVoice
- D) Windows Feedback Hub
Answer: A) Microsoft Feedback Portal, C) UserVoice, D) Windows Feedback Hub
Microsoft has various tools for collecting user feedback, including the Microsoft Feedback Portal, UserVoice, and the Windows Feedback Hub. The Microsoft Service Assurance Dashboard is not intended for user feedback but rather for compliance-related information.
True or False: Microsoft holds conferences such as Microsoft Ignite where customers can share insights and feedback on products.
- Answer: True
Microsoft Ignite and other conferences provide platforms for customers and partners to network, share insights, and provide direct feedback on Microsoft products and services.
True or False: The Microsoft 365 admin center allows administrators to submit feedback directly to Microsoft.
- Answer: True
The Microsoft 365 admin center includes options for administrators to submit feedback and suggestions directly to Microsoft.
During which phase of product development is feedback from organizations NOT considered by Microsoft?
- A) Planning
- B) Development
- C) Deployment
- D) Feedback is always considered
Answer: D) Feedback is always considered
Microsoft considers feedback at all stages of product development, including planning, development, and deployment, to improve products and services.
True or False: User feedback provided through Microsoft’s feedback channels is typically shared publicly.
- Answer: False
While some feedback, such as that on forums or UserVoice, may be visible to the public, not all feedback is public. Microsoft may collect feedback through private channels, surveys, or during direct engagements that are not shared publicly.
True or False: Traditional surveys are an outdated method that Microsoft no longer uses to gather feedback.
- Answer: False
Microsoft still utilizes surveys as one of the many methods to gather customer feedback about their products and services.
Interview Questions
What is the Microsoft Feedback Portal?
The Microsoft Feedback Portal is a platform where users can submit their feedback about Microsoft products and services, and also view and vote on feedback submitted by others.
How can users access the Microsoft Feedback Portal?
Users can access the Microsoft Feedback Portal by visiting feedbackportal.microsoft.com.
What is the purpose of the Microsoft Feedback Portal?
The purpose of the Microsoft Feedback Portal is to provide a platform for users to share their feedback on Microsoft products and services to help improve their overall quality.
How can users submit feedback on the Microsoft Feedback Portal?
Users can submit feedback on the Microsoft Feedback Portal by signing in with their Microsoft account and selecting the product or service they wish to provide feedback on.
What is the Microsoft Tech Community?
The Microsoft Tech Community is an online community forum where users can connect with other Microsoft product users, as well as experts and MVPs.
How can users access the Microsoft Tech Community?
Users can access the Microsoft Tech Community by visiting techcommunity.microsoft.com.
What is the purpose of the Microsoft Tech Community?
The purpose of the Microsoft Tech Community is to provide a platform for users to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other about Microsoft products and services.
How can users participate in the Microsoft Tech Community?
Users can participate in the Microsoft Tech Community by creating an account, joining groups, starting discussions, and sharing knowledge and expertise.
What are some benefits of participating in the Microsoft Tech Community?
Benefits of participating in the Microsoft Tech Community include learning from experts and peers, networking with other professionals, gaining insights into product updates and announcements, and having a platform to share ideas and feedback.
Can users provide feedback on Microsoft products and services through the Microsoft Tech Community?
Yes, users can provide feedback on Microsoft products and services through the Microsoft Tech Community by posting their feedback in relevant groups or discussions.
Are Microsoft employees active in the Microsoft Tech Community?
Yes, Microsoft employees are active in the Microsoft Tech Community and often provide responses to questions and feedback from users.
Can users find answers to their questions about Microsoft products and services on the Microsoft Tech Community?
Yes, the Microsoft Tech Community is a valuable resource for finding answers to questions about Microsoft products and services, as well as troubleshooting issues.
Is the Microsoft Tech Community a global platform?
Yes, the Microsoft Tech Community is a global platform that connects users from all over the world.
Can users access the Microsoft Tech Community for free?
Yes, users can access the Microsoft Tech Community for free by creating an account.
How does the Microsoft Tech Community support knowledge sharing and collaboration?
The Microsoft Tech Community supports knowledge sharing and collaboration by providing a platform for users to ask and answer questions, share insights and best practices, and collaborate with peers and experts.
Organizations can leverage UserVoice to communicate with Microsoft about potential improvements to their products and services.
Thanks for the information!
Another method is to join the Microsoft Insiders Program which allows you to test new features and provide feedback.
I find that providing feedback through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center is very effective.
Can someone explain more about the Microsoft Technical Community Forum?
Joining webinars hosted by Microsoft can be very insightful for communication.
The Feedback Hub app is another way to provide suggestions directly to Microsoft.
What about giving feedback during Microsoft Ignite? Is that useful?