ESPC 2026
November 30 - December 3
Join our MVPs Merethe and Ståle at ESPC 2026, where they will run a full day workshop guiding attendees through the complete ADKAR and Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist (MSAS) frameworks, showing how these models can transform Copilot rollouts into lasting organizational change. ESPC is one of Europe’s most valuable Microsoft conferences for learning, networking, and direct access to Microsoft experts, bringing together more than 1,800 Microsoft professionals focused on Microsoft 365, AI, Copilot, and the wider Microsoft ecosystem. Sign up today!
MVPs Ståle Hansen and Merethe Stave guide you through the complete ADKAR and Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist (MSAS) frameworks, showing how the ADKAR model and the MSAS six core competencies can transform Copilot rollouts into lasting organizational change. Built on real-world experience from enterprise deployments, this workshop gives you a proven, structured insights and playbook to drive meaningful adoption at any scale.
Strategic Foundations
Focus: positioning, leadership alignment, and value
Session 1 (45 min): Copilot as a Service, Not a Tool
Focus: Mindset, framework, and adoption foundations
- Why Copilot adoption is a service adoption challenge, not an AI rollout
- Overview of the Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist framework
- How ADKAR complements Microsoft’s approach to adoption
- Positioning Copilot as a portfolio of services and use cases
Outcome:
Participants share a common language and mental model for Copilot adoption
Session 2: Portfolio Management & Champions as a Growth Engine
Focus: Structure, internal marketing, and momentum
- Designing a Copilot service portfolio (roles, scenarios, maturity)
- Building a Champions program for Copilot adoption
- How to “sell” the Champions program internally:
- Reduced risk
- Faster adoption
- Scalable learning
- Internal marketing without hype
Exercise:
- Define a simple Copilot portfolio and Champions positioning statement
10 minute break
Session 3: Leadership Capability, Governance & Business Value
Focus: Ownership, decision-making, and value realization
- The role of leaders in Copilot adoption
- Connecting Copilot initiatives to:
- Project ownership
- Prioritization
- Governance as enablement
- Business acumen:
- Time savings
- Quality improvements
- Reduced friction in everyday work
- What leaders actually trust when it comes to value
Exercise:
Translate Copilot use cases into leadership?relevant value statements
Adoption in Practice
Focus: behavior change, communication, and sustainability
Session 4 (45 min): Organizational Development & Smarter Collaboration
Focus: Group behaviors and ways of working
- How Copilot changes:
- Collaboration patterns
- Knowledge sharing
- Decision-making
- Designing for team-level adoption, not just individual productivity
- Copilot in Teams and across Microsoft 365 as an enabler for better group work
Exercise:
Redesign a real collaboration scenario using Copilot
Session 5: Communicating Copilot Storytelling & Presentation Technique
Focus: Clarity, confidence, and trust
- How to talk about Copilot without fear or unrealistic expectations
- Adapting the message for:
- End users
- Champions
- Leadership
- Storytelling patterns that make Copilot relatable
- Presentation techniques for demos, briefings, and training sessions
Exercise:
Craft a short Copilot story for a defined audience
10 minute break
Session 6: ADKAR in Practice & Becoming a Service Adoption Specialist
Focus: Turning adoption into habit
- Applying ADKAR to real Copilot adoption challenges:
- Awareness
- Desire
- Knowledge
- Ability
- Reinforcement
- Identifying adoption blockers and mitigation strategies
- Reinforcement methods that actually sustain change
- What it means to act as a Service Adoption Specialist for Copilot
Final Outcome:
Participants leave with:
- A practical Copilot adoption blueprint
- Language that works with users and leaders
- A clear understanding of their role in driving sustainable Copilot adoption
Summary and next steps recommendation
Assumed Knowledge:
Basic knowledge about and experience with Microsoft 365, Teams and Copilot
Practical Takeaways:
Copilot Adoption Playbook with framework and templates
Out of Session Scope:
No deployment or technical design
About ESPC
ESPC 2026 is Europe’s leading Microsoft 365, AI, Azure, and Power Platform conference featuring experts and industry leaders. Bringing together more than 1,800 Microsoft professionals, ESPC focuses on Microsoft 365, AI, Copilot, and the wider Microsoft ecosystem, including Teams, SharePoint, Power Platform, Fabric, Entra, and Azure, offering exceptional opportunities for learning, networking, and direct access to Microsoft experts. Read more