Slack

We can all agree on this: Slack is a fantastic collaboration tool. Whether you're part of a remote team or all in one office, Slack ushers in a new era of communication. However, this can quickly become unproductive if we're entirely candid.

The fear of missing out

Many businesses, particularly startups, use tools like Slack for collaboration. Yet, the flip side of seamless communication is not just enhanced information flow, but also the urge to immediately address each incoming notification. It's long been recognized - using the traditional email as a reference - that constantly reacting to messages distracts us from our daily tasks. It can take us 15 to 30 minutes to regain the same level of concentration.

This can be problematic, especially when considering developers, designers, and the like who require intense concentration for their work, right?

The path to improvement

I believe the issue is clear. I'm not criticizing Slack or similar tools. On the contrary, my personal view is that Slack is indispensable in the digital business world, provided it's used correctly and it's sometimes okay not to respond!

We've outlined some general best practices to help us and our partners effectively integrate Slack into our daily routine:

1. The use of "@"

Avoid using @channel or @here unless it's genuinely necessary.

It helps members stay alert to these tags, and everyone can configure their notifications accordingly, making it easier to promptly respond to VITAL matters.

2. Configure notifications properly

Only activate mentions and, at most, keywords for push notifications. This way, you won't be overwhelmed by a deluge of notifications.

3. Choose channel members wisely

Selecting the right channel members is crucial! Ask yourself if your developers truly need to be in the design channel.

4. Practice patience

Respect that sometimes there might be no response for a morning, even if the team member is available. And honestly, if it's urgent, approach your colleagues or call them.

5. Utilize status

Use your status! If you're in "Do Not Disturb" mode, inform your team and genuinely mute your notifications.

6. Use the "unread" feature

Rather than using your notification center, use the (typically disabled) sidebar feature to process messages in batches.

7. Use reminders

Don't tailor your plans around Slack; tailor Slack around your plans. If you're at lunch and wish to respond later after reading a message out of interest, set a reminder for 1 hour and let Slackbot remind you.

8. White check marks/emojis

Sometimes, a simple ✅ reaction suffices instead of typing "Ok" or "works for me".

With these eight tips, you and your team should become significantly more productive. Give them a try, and please, let us know if these tips work well for you. For us and our partners, these best practices are invaluable, as straightforward as they might seem.