Global Health Engineering - Quarterly Meeting Q3 2024
Benefits of using a chat tool for distributed teams
July 23, 2024
Communication at GHE
- Survey at Quarterly Q1 2024: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JMz01u4R1oDxjfTauJlnruECG9thmVFxJD3Msk7hZp8/edit#responses
Differences between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Element
- Slack and Microsoft Teams are proprietary
- Element is open-source, and free to use
- Element is based on the Matrix protocol
Benefits (Element, in general)
Increased Collaboration
- Secure, decentralized platform for team communication
- Freedom to structure discussion spaces and customize chat rooms
- Enables open collaboration across organizations and teams
- Fosters team spirit and cohesion, especially for remote teams
Efficiency through Direct Communication
- Real-time messaging for quick problem-solving and decision-making
- Reduces email overload and streamlines communication
- Customizable notifications to minimize distractions
- Mobile access for sharing knowledge on-the-go
Organized Discussions with Threads
- Keep conversations focused and easy to follow
- Improve context retention and reduce information overload
Enhancing Engagement with Reactions
- Quick and way to acknowledge messages without cluttering the chat
- Emoji reactions for expressing emotions and feedback
- Boosts team morale and creates a positive communication environment
- Encourages informal and spontaneous interactions, which can help build stronger relationships among team members (especially remote)
- Reduces unnecessary back-and-forth responses
Seamless Content Sharing
- Built-in file sharing capabilities for easy document exchange
- Integration with other tools to centralize information sharing
- Searchable chat history for access to shared content-
Why for us?
- Removes need for Signal, WhatsApp, etc. (tools not designed or appropriate for work communication)
- Access through ETH username (no additional account required)
- All BSc & MSc students can access with their username
- Building capacity for work environments that require such tools
How to use it?
This is a live demonstration.
Global Health Engineering - Quarterly Meeting Q3 2024 Benefits of using a chat tool for distributed teams Lars Schöbitz Global Health Engineering - ETH Zurich July 23, 2024