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Improving Internal Communications with Slack

We love Slack for improving internal communications. There we said it and we used the word love. Should we take it back? It’s too late now. Is it perfect? No, but it helps our teams communicate. It allows people, projects, and tasks to move forward. It works well and it works for us.

5 Reasons We Use Slack

(1) It cuts down on emails

While email is still relevant, some things are better shared with Slack than email and vice versa. Using Slack, it is much easier and efficient for sharing a quick thought, asking a question or sending a link. Does it replace email for us? No, not really but it provides a different outlet to communicate. Instead of group emails there are channels you can set-up to include group discussion, sharing and collaboration.

(2) You can quickly view someone’s status

One of the useful features Slack provides for its users is a visual status button next to your name. These buttons include “In a meeting”, “In My Office”, “Out sick”, “Vacationing”, “Working remotely” or choose your own status.  Statuses provide other users with a quick and easy way to know if it is a convenient time to Slack someone, and whether or not to expect a quick response. Even if you don’t need an immediate response, putting something in Slack just makes sense.  Also, if you don’t take the time to set the status button, you can still quickly view your contacts to see if they are active or not. There is a green dot next to their name if they’re active and a circle if they’re away from their desk.

(3) It’s flexible to use 

Slack has both a website app and a mobile app which makes it easy to use, both in and out of the office.  Although it’s five o’clock somewhere and you’re heading out of the office, that does not mean you can completely ignore business. Slack can attend your happy hour, and you can be in the know while on the go. Have your cake and eat it too by being flexible, yet responsible.

(4) It’s easy to use

The process of integrating Slack into your workflow is easy.  The onboarding process to sign-up and start using Slack is turn-key.  One tip is to make sure to turn on alerts just so you get notified for various messages in case you are away from the office.

(5) The Name

Maybe you have heard the controversy concerning the name “Slack”. We understand the potential issue of using and promoting a tool called “Slack” in a business environment.  It’s not really an issue when a company uses the app properly. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines “slack” in its second definition as “characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy.” We find just the opposite is true.  It motivates us, provides energy and actually speeds things up.  Just in case you don’t already know, Slack is an acronym and stands for:  Searchable Log of All Communication and Knowledge.

At Level365, we are in the business of providing Unified Communications as a Service with hosted enterprise voice solutions. Our solutions provide flexibility, mobility, and information as well as seamless integration of business communications among desk phones, computers, and mobile devices. We think we know a little about good business communications solutions and we hope this tip on Slack works for your business too. Don’t take our word for it; check out Slack for yourself. Let’s Slack and be proud of it!

About Level365: Level365 offers a complete Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution with enterprise voice that is customized and scalable for your business. Our service seamlessly integrates communication among your desk phones, computers, and mobile devices to support remote teams and provide flexibility for on-site staff. The UC platform extends beyond voice communications with Unified Messaging, Presence, Chat/SMS, Cloud Faxing, CRM Integrations and more.

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