How PwC Ireland supported Glanbia’s successful adoption of Microsoft Copilot

The challenge

Glanbia faced significant hurdles in its journey towards integrating Generative AI (GenAI) technologies. The company required a robust AI environment, with stringent data security and governance measures, to prepare its workforce for the new technology.

Glanbia also sought to understand how Microsoft Copilot could enhance operational efficiency, foster creativity and improve employee wellbeing. These challenges called for a comprehensive approach to both technical and human readiness.

Our solution

To address these challenges, we adopted a strategy that involved assessing Glanbia’s data governance and cyber environment, conducting change readiness assessments, and developing a comprehensive change and communication roadmap. We also prioritised use cases and established a benefits measurement framework to track the impact of Microsoft Copilot.

The implementation was executed in three phases:

1. Mobilisation and trial preparation;
2. A user trial; and
3. Project close-out.

During the mobilisation phase, we ensured both technical and people readiness. The user trial phase involved executing the change and communication strategy, providing upskilling support, and tracking benefits and value realisation. And the project close-out phase focused on documenting trial outcomes, lessons learned and developing a detailed trial insights report to guide Glanbia’s next steps.

The results

The trial demonstrated significant productivity improvements, with participants reporting time savings ranging from 15 minutes to four hours, depending on the application used. These time savings allowed employees to engage in further upskilling and complete additional activities. The trial also showed high adoption levels, with a four out of five impact rating on productivity, creativity and wellbeing.

The Microsoft Copilot trial participants demonstrated high adoption levels. As a result, the benefits realised and captured through user surveys and focus groups were also high. Glanbia noted a contrast between the experience and engagement of the trial population with that of other users assigned licenses outside of the formal trial. Users without formal adoption support had materially lower adoption and engagement levels.

Beyond measurable results, the trial fostered a positive sentiment and sense of community among participants. 95% of employees said they appreciated being part of a transformative project and valued the upskilling sessions, which increased their digital literacy and engagement with Microsoft Copilot. The greatest impact was observed in functions that generate or analyse a lot of text content, such as marketing, human resources and communications, highlighting the tool’s relevance to these roles.

Lessons learned

Key factors contributing to the project’s success included comprehensive change management, effective communication and tailored upskilling sessions. Our empathetic approach to adoption support ensured that employees felt comfortable and confident using Microsoft Copilot, leading to high engagement and positive outcomes.

One of the main challenges was maintaining consistent engagement across all participants. We addressed this by providing ongoing support and regular feedback sessions. Another critical insight was the importance of breaking down goals into measurable indicators, which facilitated accurate tracking of Microsoft Copilot’s impact. These lessons will be invaluable for Glanbia’s future AI initiatives.

Conclusion

The collaboration between PwC Ireland and Glanbia has underscored the transformative potential of Microsoft Copilot in enhancing productivity, creativity and employee wellbeing. The structured approach, comprehensive support and tailored upskilling sessions were pivotal to the project’s success, resulting in high adoption levels and positive outcomes.

The feedback and insights from this trial have enabled Glanbia to plan the next steps in their GenAI journey effectively based on organisation-specific insights. There is evidence of where Microsoft Copilot has had a higher impact, and there is a clear roadmap of what is needed from a governance, technical readiness (data governance and cyber) and adoption perspective.

Looking ahead, Glanbia plans to leverage these insights to shape its GenAI roadmap. The company aims to expand the use of Microsoft Copilot, focusing on areas with the highest impact and ensuring continued support for digital adoption. By building on the trial’s success, Glanbia is well-positioned to fully exploit the potential of GenAI technologies in its operations.

We’re here to help you

If you’re looking to explore the transformative potential of Microsoft Copilot for your organisation, our experts are ready to assist. With our proven expertise in AI implementation and change management, we can help you navigate the complexities of digital adoption and maximise the benefits of innovative technologies. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you unlock new opportunities for your business.