Slack Communication And Collaboration Tool For Startups

Slack – Team Communication

Slack is an online messaging platform that you can use on Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS. You can create teams (the broadest discussion level) as soon as you sign up and also have channels. Slack is one of the most versatile tools and integrates beautifully with a host of other platforms.

Despite its name, it’s actually a messaging app that can potentially tighten up organizational efficiency. This is through the improvements it can have on team communication.

If you are looking for an easier way to communicate with team members and are tired of having to CC and BCC people for 80% of your emails?, then Slack is the ideal tool.

Besides the obvious benefits though of cutting down on email Slack provides a better way of exchanging ideas and making decisions within a group.

The remarks on efficiency and throughput may tempt you to start thinking of services like Asana or Basecamp. Let me clear this up for right now, it’s not the same and shouldn’t be compared to those tools.

Although there are some common features, Slack isn’t technically a project management and collaboration tool in the same way those two are. The primary purpose is to serve as a messaging platform. It can be made to do more than messaging, but you shouldn’t really be thinking of it as a Basecamp replacement.

Slack even has something in common with a lot of the software used for that protocol. It’s free. However, it stays that way only up to a point.

Slack has multiple pricing tiers, like most other apps nowadays which depend on the features and of course team members. The Free version doesn’t have all the same features and integrations as the paid version. Despite this, it’s still appealing and worth a look for most small businesses and startups seeking a better means of internal communication. Certainly give the free version a trial to get used to the interface and how it works.

What’s so great about Slack?

Channels: There are two types of channels on Slack: the public and private. Obviously, the former are “threads that team members can access. On the other hand, private channels are only accessible to team members specified by the channel’s creator.

  • Integrations: Integration with other apps is very easy and so no pain points there. There are a lot of third-party service integrations, covering everything from Google Drive, Trello, Zendesk, and Asana.
  • Notifications: These are simple to customize and you can fine-tune notifications based on a particular keyword, or do it only if you’re sent a private message, for example. There are also multiple options for notification sounds when you’re on the app, including fun ones.
  • Easy file uploading: is simple and lets you upload virtually any file type. You can choose to make it available to multiple users or to only one.
  • Search: the search feature lets you search messages and archives but also lets you search files.
  • Support: the support team is fast even for Free version users. You’ll rarely find yourself gnashing your teeth over a long-unanswered support question.
  • Community: Many companies are now creating slack communities and encouraging open communications with customers.

Try Slack

Cut down on email and improve your team communication

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Creating a business and getting customers is hard. From nurturing your idea to taking it to market you burn through hours of time and money in the hope it will all be ok, that customers will buy your product or service.

Being unique and competitive though isn't just about your product though.

Let's face it, it isn't hard these days to copy a product or service!

What is hard is to replicate a business model - the unique capabilities you develop that set you apart.

I've put together a lot of tools to help people not just develop another easily attacked business, but to create something special - a unique business model. Use these to get started on your business model journey:

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