Microsoft 365 Copilot isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s rapidly becoming essential for every business. From drafting emails and summarising meetings to analysing data and generating presentations, Copilot can save hours of work every week and allow teams to focus on higher‑value tasks.

The UK government recently ran a three‑month trial of Microsoft 365 Copilot across the Department for Business & Trade, between October and December 2024. The department received 1,000 licences, with around 70% allocated to volunteers and ~30% to a randomised group; ~300 participants consented to usage analysis. The official DBT evaluation report (published 28 August 2025) details the methodology and findings and notes that average activity during the pilot equated to ~1.14 Copilot actions per user per working day (72 actions over 63 working days).

Participants did receive some introductory guidance, but based on the report, the training was only introductory. As a result, the trial shows what can happen when a business adopts Copilot without a structured enablement plan. While some routine tasks were completed faster, others—particularly complex work in Excel or PowerPoint—slowed down or required corrections. Overall usage was modest, suggesting that light-touch training isn’t enough to unlock Copilot’s full potential.

The key point is clear: every business needs Copilot, but the value it delivers depends on how it is adopted and taught. Without comprehensive training, even the most powerful AI tools may underperform.

Perhaps most tellingly, average usage was just 1.14 Copilot actions per user per day—barely one invocation daily. This low engagement suggests many employees never moved beyond surface-level experimentation. A key reason? Insufficient training and guidance. While DBT offered some introductory sessions, they weren’t tailored to specific roles and many staff didn’t attend. The report found that self-led learning had a greater impact on success than formal training—those who explored Copilot independently got more out of it, while others were left unsure how to use it effectively.

The takeaway is clear: Copilot can be transformational, but only if businesses invest in structured enablement. Without comprehensive training and role-specific support, adoption may stall and the tool’s potential remain untapped.

Why Every Business Needs Copilot

Evidence suggests Copilot can boost efficiency, improve work quality, and reduce routine workload. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index found that early Copilot users felt more productive (70%) and reported better quality outputs (68%), with 77% saying they didn’t want to give it up once they had tried it.

Real‑world deployments echo these findings. For example, after a structured pilot, Vodafone reported ~3 hours saved per person per week on tasks like drafting, summarising, and information search; nearly 90% of pilot users wanted to keep using Copilot and 60% reported improved quality—insights that led Vodafone to roll Copilot out to up to 68,000 employees.

The takeaway is simple: Copilot is essential for every business, but to see real benefits it must be adopted correctly—with structured guidance and ongoing support.

Where Training Makes the Difference

The UK trial illustrates what can happen when adoption isn’t fully supported. Participants mainly used Copilot for simpler tasks like summarising meetings and drafting emails, and struggled more with complex Excel and PowerPoint work. The evaluation highlights inconsistency in quality assurance and the need for better understanding of capabilities and limitations—again pointing to the importance of comprehensive training, not just a quick introduction session.

Without this guidance, even a powerful tool like Copilot is limited. Handing employees Copilot without robust training is like giving someone a Formula 1 car with only a five-minute briefing: they will only scratch the surface of its potential.

When adoption is done correctly, Copilot can deliver real productivity gains. Again, Microsoft’s Work Trend Index and other structured rollouts report that early Copilot users:

• • Became more productive (70%)
  • Improved the quality of their work (68%)
  • Didn’t want to give Copilot up (77%) once they had tried it

Real-World Evidence

Other trials and case studies provide further evidence that Copilot works when adopted correctly and supported with training:

• Australian Government (whole‑of‑government trial): 69% of participants worked faster and 61% reported quality improvements; managers observed positive impacts on team efficiency and quality (≈65%). Many users reported ~one hour a day saved on summarising and first‑draft tasks, which could be redirected to higher‑value work. 
• Vodafone: Following a structured pilot with Microsoft and KPMG, users saved ~3 hours/week and nearly 90% wanted to continue using Copilot; 60% reported better quality outputs—outcomes that justified scaling to up to 68,000 employees.
• The Estée Lauder Companies: Built ConsumerIQ, an internal intelligence agent using Copilot Studio and Azure OpenAI, reducing time to gather insights from weeks to minutes and eliminating duplicate effort—accelerating decisions in product development and marketing. 
• Globo (Brazil): Adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot as part of a structured programme (“Você Mais IA”) aligned to business strategy and change management; one team reports ~2 hours per month saved per employee, alongside increased operational accuracy and sustained innovation.

All these successes share a common factor: structured rollout and training. 

Turning Lessons Into Action

The UK Copilot trial shouldn’t be seen as evidence that Copilot doesn’t work. Instead, it highlights the risks of adopting AI tools without proper training and guidance. Every business that wants to stay competitive needs Copilot, but to get real value, staff must be taught how to use it effectively.

At Black Sheep Support, we help businesses integrate Copilot into daily workflows with practical training, tailored guidance, and ongoing support. Clients often move quickly from uncertainty to confident, daily use, saving hours each week and focusing on strategic work.

If your team isn’t using Copilot effectively, you’re leaving productivity on the table. Get in touch to unlock the full potential of Copilot in your business. With the right approach, Copilot doesn’t just help employees work more efficiently, it can transform the way your organisation works.