Weekly Wonder: Networking for Success - Building Relationships Within Your CUG

[#1]

Hi CUG Members, welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder!

Keeping track of new features, product updates, and evolving best practices can feel overwhelming - but they’re also opportunities to keep your Company User Group (CUG) at the forefront of innovation.

This week’s Weekly Wonder explores how your CUG can stay agile, informed, and ready to embrace the future by building a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

---

Why Future-Proofing Matters

Atlassian’s tools are always evolving to meet the needs of modern teams. Whether it’s a major Jira overhaul, new Confluence integrations, or enhancements in automation and reporting, staying current ensures your CUG delivers maximum value to its members. Groups that adapt quickly can:

• Empower users with the latest productivity features

• Avoid disruption from unexpected changes

• Foster a reputation as a trusted source of Atlassian expertise

• Drive higher engagement and satisfaction within your organization

Best Practices for Staying Up-to-Date

• Leverage Official Atlassian Channels
  • Subscribe to Atlassian’s product blogs, release notes, and community forums. Encourage CUG members to follow relevant tags and join product-specific groups. Regularly share key updates in your CUG meetings or newsletters.

• Designate Feature Champions

  • Assign CUG members as “Feature Champions” for each Atlassian product your group uses. These Champions will track updates, test new features in sandbox environments, and present findings to the group, ensuring that change is a team effort.

• Host Regular Update Sessions

  • Schedule quarterly (or even monthly) “What’s New in Atlassian” sessions. Use these meetings to demo new features, discuss potential impacts, and gather feedback on adoption strategies.

• Document and Share Learnings

  • Maintain a living knowledge base in Confluence where members can document new features, tips, and troubleshooting steps. This central resource helps everyone ramp up quickly and reduces repeated questions.

• Engage with Atlassian Success Champions

  • Tap into the experience of Atlassian’s Success Champions and your broader user community. Invite guest speakers, share case studies, and encourage open discussion about what’s working (and what isn’t) in adapting to change.

Building a Culture of Adaptation

Change management isn’t just about tools—it’s about people. Foster a growth mindset in your CUG by celebrating curiosity, experimentation, and shared learning. Recognize members who contribute insights or help others navigate new features. The more your group embraces change together, the more resilient and future-proof it becomes.

---

Future-proofing your CUG is an ongoing journey, not a one-time project. By staying proactive, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, your group can turn every Atlassian update into an opportunity for growth.

Ready to lead the way? Start by sharing this article with your CUG and discussing which best practices you’ll try next!

For more inspiration and practical tips, check out previous Weekly Wonder articles in the Company User Groups area.