{"id":64233,"date":"2024-06-05T09:50:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T23:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=64233"},"modified":"2024-06-05T09:50:56","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T23:50:56","slug":"small-business-productivity-slack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/au\/blog\/small-business-productivity-slack\/","title":{"rendered":"How Small Businesses Make Work More Productive with Slack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Running a small business has its highs and lows. Maybe you\u2019re stuck with outdated processes that slow you down, or perhaps you\u2019re finding it tough to keep everyone on the same page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But whatever challenge you\u2019re currently facing, you\u2019re not alone. Chances are, other business owners have faced these same issues, found smart solutions, and come out stronger and more productive on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s dive into the stories of three successful small businesses that are tackling these common productivity challenges by working in Slack<\/a>, and see how you can do it too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slack is Where Work Happens<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

See how Slack brings conversations, collaboration and automation together to make work more productive.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tWatch demo<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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Swap Inefficient Processes for Today\u2019s Digital Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Efficiency is crucial for any thriving small business, but many still struggle with outdated methods that waste time and lead to errors. Think about those stacks of paperwork, manual data entry, and the endless stream of emails. It\u2019s frustrating and time-consuming. Taking your processes digital can make a huge difference, cutting down on work hours each week and letting you focus more on growing your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian cloud software company Stax, spun off from Versent Group, was determined to opt for a better, more efficient way to work from the start. \u201cWe were not using email with Versent,\u201d says James Coxon, Stax\u2019s Chief Product Officer and one of Versent\u2019s founders. So, when it branched out to create Stax, it chose to set up operations on Slack<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, with about 50 employees spread across Australia, Europe, and North America, Stax developers use Slack channels<\/a> to share ideas and provide direction to colleagues asynchronously. This means it doesn\u2019t waste time trying to coordinate meetings across different time zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSlack was our collaboration tool of choice. So when we branched out with Stax, we knew we\u2019d spend all day, every day in Slack,\u201d Coxon says. \u201cSlack has to be a core part of your company toolbox if you want to do business these days. I don\u2019t know what we\u2019d do without it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Break Down Siloed Systems with Integrations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many small business owners start with whatever tools are handy \u2013 a mix of apps and makeshift systems. While it might work initially, over time, this can lead to a fragmented setup where vital information gets siloed. You end up with the hassle of managing multiple tools and without a complete view of your operations. By adopting integrated systems that sync seamlessly, you can save yourself the headache of juggling various apps and spend more time making informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way that businesses can unify fragmented operations is with Slack integrations<\/a>. X-Team<\/a>, a remote team of developers based in Melbourne, initially relied on a combination of Skype and in-house collaboration apps.\u00a0 It soon realised it needed a more cohesive solution to unite its team. It decided to make Slack the core of its operations, undergoing what it describes as the \u201cfastest transition ever\u201d to integrate Slack as the central hub for its business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Slack, X-Team connected hundreds of tools, from invoicing to HR to issue resolution, so that everything happens in one place. This integration means the team doesn\u2019t waste time switching between apps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt a high level, Slack is the home of workflow. By pumping data from integrated apps into Slack, you can open up views of all kinds of information,\u201d says Brad Giblen, X-Team COO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for CEO Ryan Chartrand, Slack integrations are a secret weapon for the business. \u201cThe amount of features and API power that Slack has given us to create experiences for our community has been pretty phenomenal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed Up Decision-Making with Data Transparency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Making decisions in small businesses can often be slow because of unclear processes or delays in sharing information. Flattening the organisational structure, where decisions are made closer to where the action is, can really speed things up. Using Slack to provide real-time data helps your team make informed decisions quickly, allowing them to adapt to customer needs and market changes swiftly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLeod Cranes<\/a>, a New Zealand-based crane, Hiab, and transport company was moving fast, but their pen-and-paper processes and makeshift communication methods just weren\u2019t keeping up. In 2023, it switched to a Slack-first way of working, integrating everything from site inspections to asset maintenance and health and safety reporting into Slack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overnight, Slack channels transformed its team collaboration and gave it much-needed visibility into daily operations. Now, management can see problems as they come up and react faster, all with fewer meetings. This more transparent way of working helps McLeod make better decisions about resources and the direction of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n

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With Slack, what used to take 3-4 days to understand and resolve now takes me a minute.<\/p>\nScott McLeod<\/cite><\/blockquote>\nManaging Director, McLeod Cranes<\/span>\n