Far North Queensland (FNQ) is full of economic potential. However, its growth is hindered by a critical workforce shortage. Among 35 geographic zones, FNQ had the fifth highest job vacancy crunch rates, with 7.6% of positions unfilled.
Across Australia, there are 352,600 job vacancies, led by these sectors:
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
The skills shortage has resulted in project delays, reduced productivity, and has affected the delivery of some essential services.
According to a Labour and Industry journal article, “The challenges faced by organisations across the nation are exacerbated in rural and regional Queensland, where factors such as insufficient housing, strained connectivity, and the geographic distance from major cities hinder the attraction and retention of a suitably sized and qualified workforce.”
The solutions being implemented to improve the labour situation include:
- Sourcing a broader range of employees from the overseas workforce
- Education, skilling, and training of the local workforce
- Improving regional and rural liveability to attract more workers to FNQ
Technology also presents itself as a game-changer. Although many see it as a menace, powerful tools like AI should be embraced to create more efficient and dynamic workforce.
Copilot is Your Ally in the Labour Shortage Crisis
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to work with various applications within the Microsoft 365 suite. Amidst the skills shortage, Copilot can help improve efficiency and productivity, and enhance collaboration and communication. It can help businesses do more with less, and ultimately better utilise their existing resources.
How Microsoft Copilot Can Bridge the Productivity Gap
Time is tight when you have fewer staff than you need. How can Copilot help to get more done even with a smaller team? Here are some examples.
Scenario 1: The Marketing Maven
You’re running a tourism business in Cairns and want to attract new customers. You’re thinking of revamping your website content, but crafting engaging copy takes time and creativity.
Did you know Copilot could help with that? It can adapt to your tone of voice and suggest relevant keywords and phrases based on current travel trends. It can even recommend captivating visuals or provide links to other websites for inspiration.
This helps you create compelling content faster, leaving more time for running tours and interacting with guests.
Scenario 2: The Presentation Pro
You work at a law firm in Mossman, and you are tasked with preparing a presentation with complex legal information for a potential client. Processing all of this content and extracting the key points before laying it out clearly and concisely can be time-consuming.
Did you know that when building a presentation in PowerPoint you can ask Copilot to suggest relevant charts and graphs to present data effectively, based on the text you have written? It can recommend appropriate colour schemes and layouts to ensure a professional and visually appealing presentation.
This allows you to focus on tailoring the content to your client’s specific needs and delivering a powerful presentation that can close the deal.
Scenario 3: The Efficiency Expert
You’re the Operations Manager at a busy construction company in Port Douglas. Streamlining administrative tasks like scheduling meetings and generating reports can free up valuable time.
Within your Outlook calendar, Copilot can help you identify potential scheduling conflicts and suggest optimal meeting times based on team availability.
When working in Excel, Copilot can perform data analysis by recommending relevant formulas and creating charts to visualise key metrics that would enhance your reports.
Scenario 4: The Grant Guru
You’re a social worker at a Nonprofit on the Atherton Tablelands applying for a critical grant to fund a new youth program. You’ve never written a grant proposal before and feel overwhelmed by the process.
You can draft the proposal in Word, with Copilot beside it. It can scan successful grant applications in similar fields. It will recommend key elements like outlining program goals, demonstrating community needs, and detailing budget allocation. This provides a valuable framework and helps you craft a strong proposal that stands out.
Overall, Microsoft artificial intelligence empowers businesses to conquer common challenges with less resources. It can help bridge knowledge gaps, enhance productivity, and ultimately, help your business grow. As a digital assistant that can handle multiple roles, Copilot can empower your workforce.
NPUs Can Boost AI Efficiency
While running Microsoft Copilot doesn’t require top-of-the-line hardware, a new breed of computers is emerging that can further enhance its capabilities. One such technology is the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) traditionally found in smartphones.
NPUs are specialised chips designed to accelerate complex AI calculations. For example, Lenovo’s latest PCs with built-in NPUs can offload AI workloads from the main CPU to the NPU. The result? Smoother Copilot operation and faster results.
Generating reports in Excel can be done in lightning speed, and copywriting in Word can be more relevant. With Lenovo’s NPU-powered PCs, you can optimise Copilot’s AI capabilities to their full potential.
Technology Can Drive Your Business Forward
Are you intrigued by the possibilities of AI and how to harness Microsoft Copilot for productivity? Whether you’re just starting to explore or already using it, we’re here to answer your questions. As Microsoft partners, we can guide you with the best IT solutions Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, and Toowoomba businesses can benefit from. Contact Future IT Services today. Let’s unlock the technologies that can propel your business ahead.
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