Slack is a cloud-based team collaboration tool that is changing the way we work. In a 2015 article, Time Magazine referred to Slack as an “Email Killer”. For many, this would be a dream come true. It is estimated that the average worker receives 121 email messages each workday, and email overload is often the prime reason clients contact us for productivity training and coaching.
Slack uses real-time messaging that allows users to “chat”. You can read messages, post replies, attach files, and include links. Unlike email, in which messages are randomly scattered throughout an inbox, Slack messages are organized into channels based on topics, projects, teams, etc. It also offers individuals the flexibility to subscribe and unsubscribe from channels as needed.
Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of Slack:
Top 3 Benefits of Slack
- Real-time Collaboration – The ease of posting short messages in a “chat” format can lead to real-time collaboration. Because of the rapid response time, problems and issues can be solved quickly. And, since everyone in the channel can view the discussion, it reduces the risk of a decision being made without critical members of the group. Slack can also reduce the need for some meetings since a group can have real-time discussions on their channel.
- Better Organization – Rather than each person being dependent on their own email organization (or lack thereof), Slack organizes the messages in channels, by subject or team. Slack also has a powerful search tool to quickly find a desired discussion on a particular topic.
- Reduction in Email – Not only can Slack reduce the number of meetings, it can reduce the volume of email, nearly eliminating the need for internal emails.
Top 3 Problems with Slack
- More Notifications – Slack introduces yet another source of notifications. With employees are already receiving visual and/or audible notifications from emails, texts, instant messages, reminders, apps, etc., this is just one more distraction.
- Constant Interruptions – The real-time nature of Slack makes it very difficult for employees to get blocks of uninterrupted time to focus on priorities and have an opportunity to be creative.
- Difficult to Disconnect – While being so connected to your team has its benefits, it can be hard to disconnect. According to a 2018 Forbes article, “Studies show that Americans work longer hours and have more stress-related illnesses than their European and Japanese counterparts.” The U.S. Travel Association stated, “More than half of Americans (55%) are still not using all their paid time off. In 2018, American workers failed to use 768 million days of PTO—a 9% increase from 2017.” While people are desperately trying to create more work/life balance, Slack is making it easier to stay connected to work 24/7. Fortunately, Slack has a Do Not Disturb feature that can be used to pause notifications for a set period of time. This feature is great…when it is actually used. Similar to social media, this type of real-time communication tool can become one more electronic addiction.
Given these pros and cons, do I think Slack is the magic tool to rescue you from your email overwhelm? Can you completely replace email with Slack? No. You still need email to communicate with the outside world, but Slack can virtually eliminate your internal emails. While this sounds wonderful, Slack will not eliminate all of your productivity and communication issues. As we tell our clients, a tool by itself will not make you more productive. You have to combine the tool with discipline and good habits.
