Everyday Office Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:59:11 -0400 http://knacktraining.com/podcast en-us © 2026 Everyday Office yes 96e2445a-46a1-5e2c-a804-161f7dfdf585 Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris episodic false Everyday Office is a podcast about making tedious work less tedious, and interesting work more interesting. Set at the intersection of software and people, we use tools, shortcuts, best practices, and productivity hacks to make you amazing at what you do.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Microsoft, Office, Software, SharePoint, Adobe, Teams, Office 365, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Acrobat, PowerPoint Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mabxq28vrs7wdczuwdbvbkjixbid?.jpg Everyday Office http://knacktraining.com/podcast Build Better Presentations in 2026 Build Better Presentations in 2026 PowerPoint has a right and wrong way to use it, and going the wrong direction is a recipe for a lot of late nights fixing problems. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek from Knack Training talk about the right way to build a presentation using PowerPoint

]]> PowerPoint has a right and wrong way to use it, and going the wrong direction is a recipe for a lot of late nights fixing problems. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek from Knack Training talk about the right way to build a presentation using PowerPoint

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-19081993 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400 2163 2 16 full false Successful File Management in 2026 Successful File Management in 2026 In Microsoft 365, there are layers and layers of potential benefit when you're using OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams to manage your files. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training discuss the tools and techniques that will set your team up for success!

]]> In Microsoft 365, there are layers and layers of potential benefit when you're using OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams to manage your files. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training discuss the tools and techniques that will set your team up for success!

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-19017062 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400 2338 2 15 full false Reset your Outlook Inbox in 2026 Reset your Outlook Inbox in 2026 There have been dozens of added features and improvements to the functionality of Outlook, both directly in the app and integrated with it. In this podcast, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris of Knack Training discuss the tools they would use if they needed to have a clean start in their inboxes.

]]> There have been dozens of added features and improvements to the functionality of Outlook, both directly in the app and integrated with it. In this podcast, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris of Knack Training discuss the tools they would use if they needed to have a clean start in their inboxes.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18775192 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0500 2847 2 14 full false Teams Chat and Channels - Making your everyday communication more effective Teams Chat and Channels - Making your everyday communication more effective In this episode, Neil Malek (President at Knack Training) and cohost Denise Tsamouris (Head of Training at Knack Training) tackle one of the most common — and most confusing — parts of modern work: having conversations in Teams.

Chat or channels? Sections or sprawl? Notifications or nonstop interruptions?

They break down how to choose the right space for the right conversation, how to organize your Teams experience so important messages don’t get lost, and how to tune notifications so you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Along the way, they share practical tips, real-world examples, and simple habits that make collaboration clearer, calmer, and more productive.

If your Teams conversations feel messy, noisy, or scattered — this episode will help you bring structure back to the chaos.

]]> In this episode, Neil Malek (President at Knack Training) and cohost Denise Tsamouris (Head of Training at Knack Training) tackle one of the most common — and most confusing — parts of modern work: having conversations in Teams.

Chat or channels? Sections or sprawl? Notifications or nonstop interruptions?

They break down how to choose the right space for the right conversation, how to organize your Teams experience so important messages don’t get lost, and how to tune notifications so you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Along the way, they share practical tips, real-world examples, and simple habits that make collaboration clearer, calmer, and more productive.

If your Teams conversations feel messy, noisy, or scattered — this episode will help you bring structure back to the chaos.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18699494 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500 2326 2 13 full false Is Copilot Worth It? Insights about Paid Copilot Licenses Is Copilot Worth It? Insights about Paid Copilot Licenses Every company on Earth has a decision to make - should we make paid, licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot available to our team? In this conversation, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training talk about the very real-world benefits of that paid license.

]]> Every company on Earth has a decision to make - should we make paid, licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot available to our team? In this conversation, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training talk about the very real-world benefits of that paid license.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18624782 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 2378 2 12 full false New Year Episode - Good and Bad from 2025, and Wishes for 2026 New Year Episode - Good and Bad from 2025, and Wishes for 2026 What We Loved, What Made Us Cringe, and What We're Hoping for in 2026

We're pulling back the curtain on a year of Microsoft consulting. In this episode, we're sharing the brilliant moves that made our jobs easier, the chaos that kept us up at night, and the features we're desperately hoping Microsoft will give us in 2026. Whether you're a power user or just trying to keep your digital life together, you'll find something to laugh at, learn from, or add to your own wishlist.

]]> What We Loved, What Made Us Cringe, and What We're Hoping for in 2026

We're pulling back the curtain on a year of Microsoft consulting. In this episode, we're sharing the brilliant moves that made our jobs easier, the chaos that kept us up at night, and the features we're desperately hoping Microsoft will give us in 2026. Whether you're a power user or just trying to keep your digital life together, you'll find something to laugh at, learn from, or add to your own wishlist.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18499105 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 3166 2 11 full false Copilot like a Pro without a License! Copilot like a Pro without a License! Everyone with a Microsoft 365 license has access to a web-based AI called Copilot Chat. Even without a paid license to Copilot, you can get loads of value from this tool. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris talk about the different ways they use the 'free' version of Copilot.

]]> Everyone with a Microsoft 365 license has access to a web-based AI called Copilot Chat. Even without a paid license to Copilot, you can get loads of value from this tool. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris talk about the different ways they use the 'free' version of Copilot.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18125425 Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2533 2 10 full false Copilot Everywhere: Getting to Know the AI you Can't Escape Copilot Everywhere: Getting to Know the AI you Can't Escape Microsoft has several different AI products named "Copilot," and they keep putting pop-ups and buttons into every spot they can. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek make sense of the different options, and which ones are worth your time. (spoiler: it's not all of them!)

]]> Microsoft has several different AI products named "Copilot," and they keep putting pop-ups and buttons into every spot they can. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek make sense of the different options, and which ones are worth your time. (spoiler: it's not all of them!)

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-18010540 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400 2347 2 9 full false Communication in Microsoft 365 Communication in Microsoft 365 As part of our Modern Office series, we're discussing how Microsoft 365 shifts our modes of communication in the modern workplace. Neil and Denise discuss concepts like when to use chat vs. when to use email in this broad conversation.

]]> As part of our Modern Office series, we're discussing how Microsoft 365 shifts our modes of communication in the modern workplace. Neil and Denise discuss concepts like when to use chat vs. when to use email in this broad conversation.

]]> Neil Malek & Denise Tsamouris Buzzsprout-17610910 Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 2565 2 8 full false Information Management with Microsoft 365 Information Management with Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 is the collaboration hub for corporations and organizations all over the globe. Beyond standard file management, there is the need to organize and control information - notes, tables, and other useful content. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek of Knack Training discuss several tools for information management within Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Lists, OneNote, and Loop.

]]> Microsoft 365 is the collaboration hub for corporations and organizations all over the globe. Beyond standard file management, there is the need to organize and control information - notes, tables, and other useful content. In this episode, Denise Tsamouris and Neil Malek of Knack Training discuss several tools for information management within Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Lists, OneNote, and Loop.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-17301387 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2174 2 7 full false File Management in Microsoft 365 with SharePoint and OneDrive File Management in Microsoft 365 with SharePoint and OneDrive OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams team up to help us collaborate on files with our teams. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training explore the best practices for storing and sharing files across Microsoft 365.

]]> OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams team up to help us collaborate on files with our teams. In this episode, Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training explore the best practices for storing and sharing files across Microsoft 365.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-16992171 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:00:00 -0400 2111 2 6 full false Maximizing Productivity with Microsoft Teams Maximizing Productivity with Microsoft Teams Join productivity experts Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training as they unpack powerful features of Microsoft Teams that you're probably not using - at least not effectively! 

]]> Join productivity experts Neil Malek and Denise Tsamouris from Knack Training as they unpack powerful features of Microsoft Teams that you're probably not using - at least not effectively! 

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-16847663 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 2631 2 5 full false Microsoft 365 Copilot should be your first corporate AI Microsoft 365 Copilot should be your first corporate AI In 2025, people all over your business should be experimenting with multiple AI tools. There are a wide range of artificial intelligence tools that solve specific and generic problems, to varied results. At the end of the day, the most immediately practical generative AI for most businesses is Microsoft 365 Copilot. This is because of the ease and simplicity that Copilot integrates with your everyday working world. Neil Malek, President of Knack Training, discusses the rebranding of Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot, plus the easy, practical ways that Copilot can boost productivity for your team.

]]> In 2025, people all over your business should be experimenting with multiple AI tools. There are a wide range of artificial intelligence tools that solve specific and generic problems, to varied results. At the end of the day, the most immediately practical generative AI for most businesses is Microsoft 365 Copilot. This is because of the ease and simplicity that Copilot integrates with your everyday working world. Neil Malek, President of Knack Training, discusses the rebranding of Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot, plus the easy, practical ways that Copilot can boost productivity for your team.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-16490226 Thu, 23 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 1007 2 4 full false Using Microsoft Loop for Productivity and Task Management Using Microsoft Loop for Productivity and Task Management Microsoft Loop is one of the newest programs in Microsoft 365, and it's being updated all the time. Its approach to helping people create content, organize ideas, and schedule tasks is unique and creative, and Denise Tsamouris from our team is connecting to talk about how this program changes everything!

]]> Microsoft Loop is one of the newest programs in Microsoft 365, and it's being updated all the time. Its approach to helping people create content, organize ideas, and schedule tasks is unique and creative, and Denise Tsamouris from our team is connecting to talk about how this program changes everything!

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-16309542 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500 957 2 3 full false Unlocking the Power of Microsoft 365 Unlocking the Power of Microsoft 365 When organizations first get Microsoft Teams, most people focus on the Chat tool, and sharing files through conversation. However, for long-term collaboration, the success of a department or project often depends on the use of Teams Channels. In this episode, Neil Malek of Knack Training illustrates the difference between sharing files through Chat and Channels, and the power of using a Microsoft 365 Group to connect conversation, files, tasks, and more.

]]> When organizations first get Microsoft Teams, most people focus on the Chat tool, and sharing files through conversation. However, for long-term collaboration, the success of a department or project often depends on the use of Teams Channels. In this episode, Neil Malek of Knack Training illustrates the difference between sharing files through Chat and Channels, and the power of using a Microsoft 365 Group to connect conversation, files, tasks, and more.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-15925033 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0400 1179 2 2 full false Hitting the Reset Button on your Presentations - Season 2 Episode 1 Hitting the Reset Button on your Presentations - Season 2 Episode 1 Are you rolling out shoddy, boring presentations? Sometimes the secret isn't to push forward and work harder - it's backing up and hitting the Reset button. In this episode, Neil Malek, President of Knack Training, talks about three ways to reset before your next presentation. Also, some interesting new tools have been announced in Copilot Wave 2 - learn more by downloading!

]]> Are you rolling out shoddy, boring presentations? Sometimes the secret isn't to push forward and work harder - it's backing up and hitting the Reset button. In this episode, Neil Malek, President of Knack Training, talks about three ways to reset before your next presentation. Also, some interesting new tools have been announced in Copilot Wave 2 - learn more by downloading!

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-15845666 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:00:00 -0400 1368 2 1 full false Episode 007: Dynamic Array Functions with Alan Murray of Computergaga Episode 007: Dynamic Array Functions with Alan Murray of Computergaga Alan Murray is a trainer, consultant, and community leader in Excel and Power BI. His resource site, https://www.computergaga.com/, and YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/computergaga, are some of the most valuable and respected on the Internet. In this conversation, we explore the benefits and possible use cases for a new suite of Excel functions - the Dynamic Array Functions. These functions - UNIQUE, SORT, SORTBY, FILTER, SEQUENCE, and RANDARRAY - work differently than any other function you've used before, and they represent a HUGE leap forward.

To see Alan in action as a trainer, check his playlist of tutorial videos about Dynamic Array Functions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ybRZbvR5k&list=PLxv7tqbNjU9WP3oMeRKwNXwDYQilKjF-s

Enroll in Computergaga's excellent online courses at: https://www.computergaga.com/online-courses/

Contact Alan directly at: admin@computergaga.com

For questions about the show, contact Neil at help@knacktraining.com

]]> Alan Murray is a trainer, consultant, and community leader in Excel and Power BI. His resource site, https://www.computergaga.com/, and YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/computergaga, are some of the most valuable and respected on the Internet. In this conversation, we explore the benefits and possible use cases for a new suite of Excel functions - the Dynamic Array Functions. These functions - UNIQUE, SORT, SORTBY, FILTER, SEQUENCE, and RANDARRAY - work differently than any other function you've used before, and they represent a HUGE leap forward.

To see Alan in action as a trainer, check his playlist of tutorial videos about Dynamic Array Functions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ybRZbvR5k&list=PLxv7tqbNjU9WP3oMeRKwNXwDYQilKjF-s

Enroll in Computergaga's excellent online courses at: https://www.computergaga.com/online-courses/

Contact Alan directly at: admin@computergaga.com

For questions about the show, contact Neil at help@knacktraining.com

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-4357124 Sun, 28 Jun 2020 22:00:00 -0400 1716 1 7 full false Episode 006: Dirty Data with Melissa Esquibel Episode 006: Dirty Data with Melissa Esquibel Melissa Esquibel is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, consultant, and author. She has a unique ability to make learning programs enjoyable AND valuable. She offers classroom, conference, and online presentations, as well as content development, team and individual coaching, and project consulting for most office productivity platforms.

She recently wrote an Excel-focused data guide called Dirty Data: https://www.melissaesquibel.com/dirty-data/ - that is focused on 'cleaning up' data before analyzing it. If you'd like to talk with her about customized training or consulting, visit https://www.melissaesquibel.com/

For questions, please email help@knacktraining.com

]]> Melissa Esquibel is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, consultant, and author. She has a unique ability to make learning programs enjoyable AND valuable. She offers classroom, conference, and online presentations, as well as content development, team and individual coaching, and project consulting for most office productivity platforms.

She recently wrote an Excel-focused data guide called Dirty Data: https://www.melissaesquibel.com/dirty-data/ - that is focused on 'cleaning up' data before analyzing it. If you'd like to talk with her about customized training or consulting, visit https://www.melissaesquibel.com/

For questions, please email help@knacktraining.com

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-4184123 Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:00:00 -0400 1836 1 6 full false Episode 005: Working Smarter AND Harder Episode 005: Working Smarter AND Harder While the software trainer's mantra is typically "Work Smarter, Not Harder," in this episode, Neil Malek of Knack Training explores the idea that we should work smarter and harder. By automating what we can - through rules, quick steps, etc. - and working harder on those things that can't be automated, we can create more impactful and human work.

In this episode, Neil recommends the book Linchpin by Seth Godin.

Email help@knacktraining.com with questions and follow-up.

]]> While the software trainer's mantra is typically "Work Smarter, Not Harder," in this episode, Neil Malek of Knack Training explores the idea that we should work smarter and harder. By automating what we can - through rules, quick steps, etc. - and working harder on those things that can't be automated, we can create more impactful and human work.

In this episode, Neil recommends the book Linchpin by Seth Godin.

Email help@knacktraining.com with questions and follow-up.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-2589223 Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:00:00 -0500 1211 Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Rules and Quick Steps, Presentation Design 1 5 full false Episode 004: Excel Disaster Recovery with David Ringstrom Episode 004: Excel Disaster Recovery with David Ringstrom David Ringstrom is an Excel trainer, consultant, and author, and a CPA. Over 25 years, he's developed a suite of tools and best practices that save him from crashes, collaboration issues, and other disastrous situations with his spreadsheets. In this conversation, we talk about setting up files properly, customizing settings in Excel, and using tools like Power Query to prevent issues in the first place.

David’s calendar is online at www.davidringstrom.com if you’d like to talk to him about customized Excel training or spreadsheet consulting work for any organization. Or, if you’re an accounting educator, please visit www.studentsexcel.com to learn about Excel training exercises customized to match the material you're teaching in class.

Email questions to help@knacktraining.com

]]> David Ringstrom is an Excel trainer, consultant, and author, and a CPA. Over 25 years, he's developed a suite of tools and best practices that save him from crashes, collaboration issues, and other disastrous situations with his spreadsheets. In this conversation, we talk about setting up files properly, customizing settings in Excel, and using tools like Power Query to prevent issues in the first place.

David’s calendar is online at www.davidringstrom.com if you’d like to talk to him about customized Excel training or spreadsheet consulting work for any organization. Or, if you’re an accounting educator, please visit www.studentsexcel.com to learn about Excel training exercises customized to match the material you're teaching in class.

Email questions to help@knacktraining.com

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-2533717 Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0500 2278 Microsoft Office, Excel, Disaster Recovery 1 4 full false Episode 003: Effective Presentations with Design Principles and the Morph Transition Episode 003: Effective Presentations with Design Principles and the Morph Transition An effective presentation is one that engages the audience, aligns them, and motivates them to create a positive change. In this podcast, Neil Malek discusses the simple design principles that make your message clear and focused, as well as the PowerPoint technique that helps create a story thread in your audience's head.

Morph Transition tutorial can be found on YouTube.

]]> An effective presentation is one that engages the audience, aligns them, and motivates them to create a positive change. In this podcast, Neil Malek discusses the simple design principles that make your message clear and focused, as well as the PowerPoint technique that helps create a story thread in your audience's head.

Morph Transition tutorial can be found on YouTube.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-2407700 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500 1513 Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Morph Transition, Design Principles, Design for Business 1 3 full false Episode 002: Productivity Road Map with Melissa Peoples of Admin Gurus Episode 002: Productivity Road Map with Melissa Peoples of Admin Gurus Melissa Peoples is a productivity and organization expert who coaches and trains executive assistants. By building a framework of communication, organization, and automation, she helps executive teams become stunningly productive and effective. In this episode, we discuss creating productivity road maps, time boxing your calendar, and Outlook tools and techniques for finding your personal best practices.

Find Gamestorming on Amazon.

Listen to 2Bobs on your favorite podcasting app.

Watch Melissa's timeboxing video on YouTube.

Find Melissa at her website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Melissa's tour dates and locations can be found on her website. The EA Revolution Summit includes speakers Bryan Rose, Sheena Hubbard, La Donna Finnels-Neal, and of course Melissa Peoples.

]]> Melissa Peoples is a productivity and organization expert who coaches and trains executive assistants. By building a framework of communication, organization, and automation, she helps executive teams become stunningly productive and effective. In this episode, we discuss creating productivity road maps, time boxing your calendar, and Outlook tools and techniques for finding your personal best practices.

Find Gamestorming on Amazon.

Listen to 2Bobs on your favorite podcasting app.

Watch Melissa's timeboxing video on YouTube.

Find Melissa at her website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Melissa's tour dates and locations can be found on her website. The EA Revolution Summit includes speakers Bryan Rose, Sheena Hubbard, La Donna Finnels-Neal, and of course Melissa Peoples.

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-2384147 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500 1808 Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, OneNote, Productivity, Work-Life Balance, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, PowerBI, SharePoint, Teams 1 2 full false Episode 001: Introduction and Using OneNote Episode 001: Introduction and Using OneNote Neil Malek, a software instructor and consultant, introduces the Everyday Office podcast, and recommends that listeners use OneNote for business and personal note-taking. OneNote integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Teams, and is accessible through the desktop app, online service, or mobile apps.

Install OneNote 2016 using the Microsoft website. Watch the YouTube tutorials from Everyday Office about using OneNote for various purposes.

Get a new email address from Microsoft to get OneDrive Personal.

Install the OneNote Clipper plug-in for your browser.

Q&A: help@knacktraining.com

]]> Neil Malek, a software instructor and consultant, introduces the Everyday Office podcast, and recommends that listeners use OneNote for business and personal note-taking. OneNote integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Teams, and is accessible through the desktop app, online service, or mobile apps.

Install OneNote 2016 using the Microsoft website. Watch the YouTube tutorials from Everyday Office about using OneNote for various purposes.

Get a new email address from Microsoft to get OneDrive Personal.

Install the OneNote Clipper plug-in for your browser.

Q&A: help@knacktraining.com

]]> Neil Malek Buzzsprout-2383994 Wed, 01 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500 867 Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, OneNote, Productivity, Work-Life Balance, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, PowerBI, SharePoint, Teams 1 1 full false