Session Abstract

When people talk about Viva Engage, they often talk about “Communities” and “Communities in Viva”, but what are Communities (of Practice, a.k.a. CoPs) really? And what are the benefits for us as individuals of spending time building communities? What is the potential business value to our customers, or to our peers, teams, and Organisations? Isn’t it all just a social club and yet another soulless social media-type trend which will fade away? And, at the end of the day, isn’t it just another distraction and a complete and utter waste of time and (our employer’s) money? In this session we will learn the basics of what CoPs are, how they work (and don’t work), when and why they work – and how they can become a great source of inspiration, innovation, and creativity, improve employee satisfaction, growth, and wellbeing, and enhance both productivity and profitability. Too good to be true? No, it isn’t. because it will not come for free – it will take vision, work, and perseverance but it will be worth every penny and every minute spent as soon as you start reaping the benefits! This session is based on storytelling from Rebecka's own experiences pioneering a new category or CoPs inside Microsoft Consulting Services and her journey through Knowledge Management that started with a small role as a Community Lead, and grew into a career, thanks to the friendships she formed, the visibility and recognition she received - and her passion for sharing knowledge without expecting compensation or anything in return.

Note to event organizers

Delivered successfully and with much appreciation at Bletchley Park (Sep 24) and accepted to several other CD events and international KM and M365 conferences.

Rebecka Isaksson

Rebecka Isaksson is the Founder of KnowFlow Value and a Content AI & M365 Knowledge Strategist, helping organizations turn Content Chaos into Copilot-ready Clarity. A Microsoft MVP and former Director of Knowledge Management at Microsoft HQ, she brings 15+ years of expertise in collaboration, content governance, and AI-powered knowledge strategies. She’s the creator and host of the Knowledge Fika podcast, where Swedish fika meets smart conversations on AI and knowledge management. Beyond the stage, Rebecka mentors and coaches emerging KM professionals and AI transformation consultants, fuelling the next wave of talent in this space. A sought-after keynote speaker and panellist at global events, Rebecka delivers practical insights on how AI accelerates knowledge strategies - and why culture change is the real game-changer. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP in 2024, she continues to champion ethical, human-centric approaches to AI adoption.

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