🎙 Knowledge Fika 2.0 is here! 🎙We’re kicking off a brand-new season with a fresh focus: Microsoft 365, Content AI, and Copilot readiness.

In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Heather Cook to explore how communities drive adoption, foster belonging, and even boost retention. But Heather also shares her inspiring career journey - proof that success in tech doesn’t require a coding background! We also dive into why content governance and metadata matter more than ever for Copilot, and how Microsoft could up its game for a smoother user experience.

Plus, we sprinkle in some fika vibes (and Heather’s favourite festive treat 🍵) because social connections aren’t just nice—they’re essential for thriving workplaces.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Communities = the secret sauce for change management
• Metadata is the backbone of Copilot readiness
• Personal connections create lasting professional impact
• Fika culture reminds us: Relationships matter!

Ready to join the conversation? Hit play and let’s fika about knowledge!Links to a few resources referenced in this episode:

• Mondays at Microsoft | with Karuana Gatimu & Heather Cook
• Heather Cook on Substack: Hedda’s Mix Tape | Substack
• Link to the SharePoint 25th anniversary celebration live stream: SharePoint at 25: The Knowledge Platform for Copilot and Agents
• Adam & Helen Harmetz’sblog; Mind the Beet | Substack

About Heather Cook:Heather is all about bringing people together and making tech feel human. She’s the Principal Customer Experience Manager in Microsoft’s M365 Customer Advocacy Group, and if you’ve ever been part of a vibrant Microsoft community, chances are Heather had a hand in it.

Before that, she was a Microsoft MVP and now runs her own consultancy, Creative Maven, where she helps brands tell their stories and create unforgettable events. Fun fact? She’s also a published playwright and theatre pro - so when Heather talks about creativity and connection, she really means it.

Get ready for an episode packed with energy, insights, a great deal of humour - and a little bit of sass!

On popular demand - Knowledge Fika is back!

But with a much more practical focus on Knowledge Management, so we are calling it Knowledge Fika 2.0.

Here are a few words from host Rebecka Isaksson about what is changing with Knowledge Fika, now that Season 3 is kicking off, on January 12, 2026.

A new focus, with more Microsoft and MVP guests, and a much more practical approach to KM: Knowledge in M365 with Content AI & Copilot - focusing on:

✅ Knowledge in M365 – from SharePoint, to Engage, and beyond

✅ Microsoft Content AI & Copilot

✅ Practical stories & visionary insights from Microsoft leaders, MVPs and KM experts

And for our season premiere I sat down with Heather Cook, who is a Principal Customer Experience Manager at Microsoft and a true Community Connector, Leader & Advocate.

Here's a sneak peek from Season 3 - Episode 1. Enjoy!

With this extended (45 min long) episode, Rebecka Isaksson and Dawn Brushammar bid you farewell for now. We have decided to take a little break with this podcast for the time being - but we are likely to come back again in a not too distant (sci-fi) future... You will be the first to know!

We sat down with Stan Garfield and James Tyer to unpack the power of communities of practice in knowledge management. Thus closing the loop, as the very first episode of the show was on that same topic - and also how Rebecka started her KM adventure and career.

From voluntary participation to the role of leadership and trust, the conversation dives deep into what makes communities thrive. The guests share insights on fostering engagement, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and how technology—like Microsoft’s Engage platform—can support but not replace human connection. Stan also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book, while the group reflects on the future of collaboration and community health in the age of AI and Copilot.

Our favourite quotes from this show:

💡 “You want communities to be voluntary.”💬 “Trust is essential for community engagement.”

About Stan Garfield: Stan is a seasoned knowledge management practitioner, author, and speaker with decades of experience leading communities of practice across industries. Passionate about collaboration, innovation, and leadership, Stan has championed knowledge sharing through enterprise social networks, intranets, and platforms like SharePoint. He’s known for his engaging presentations, insightful writing, and mentoring others in the KM space. Stan’s work spans consulting, systems integration, and professional services, with a strong focus on gamification, incentives, and recognition. A prolific blogger and tweeter, he continues to shape the conversation around community health and social business. His upcoming book promises fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of knowledge management.

About James Tyer: James is a Customer Experience Program Manager at Microsoft, helping leaders turn strategic decisions into real-world impact. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, organizational design, and customer success, James specializes in enterprise adoption, executive collaboration, and scalable change facilitation. His work bridges silos to ensure AI and collaboration tools like Copilot drive measurable outcomes. James supports complex sales, aligns technical value with business goals, and fosters feedback loops that inform product strategy. He’s also co-author of Social by Design, a playbook for building connected, collaborative organizations. Whether working with global brands or startups, James focuses on driving traction, usage, and lasting behavioural change.