Blake Hall Community Manager

Hi CUG members, Welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder! Today, we’re exploring a high-energy format that can spotlight multiple teams without needing a full hour from each: Lightning Talks. When done well, a single session of short talks can surface great practices, inspire new ideas, and help your CUG discover…

As a Company User Group (CUG) leader, you’re often the glue that holds your community together. But what happens when you move teams, take parental leave, or simply need a break? Sustainable CUGs don’t rely on a single champion; they’re designed to outlast any one person. Succession planning is how you protect the momentum…

As a Company User Group (CUG) leader, you’re not just organizing meetings - you’re shaping how Atlassian tools and practices spread, mature, and stick inside your organization. A clear, lightweight CUG charter is one of the most powerful tools you can use to align stakeholders, set expectations, and measure impact over…

Hi CUG members, welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder! Building a thriving Atlassian Company User Group (CUG) isn’t just about great content and charismatic hosts - it’s also about getting the right people in the (virtual or physical) room. Two of your most powerful allies for doing that are teams you already…

As a Company User Group (CUG) leader, you don’t always have the time or capacity to plan big, production‑level events. That’s where “Office Hours” come in: simple, repeatable sessions where teammates can drop in with questions, get quick help, and build trust with your CUG. Done well, Office Hours become a low‑lift,…

Hi CUG Members! Planning events one quarter at a time can work, but if you really want to maximize impact, an annual calendar that lines up with Atlassian’s product releases and big announcements gives your group a serious edge. When your sessions echo what’s happening in Jira, Confluence, Jira Service Management, Trello,…

Hi CUG members, As a Company User Group leader, you’ll often find yourself orchestrating experiences that need to work equally well for people in the room and those joining from around the world. Hybrid events can be incredibly powerful for growing your reach and inclusivity, but only if both in‑person and virtual…

Hi CUG members, Running a hackathon inside your company is a powerful way to spark innovation, deepen product adoption, and create memorable shared experiences. Whether your CUG group is just getting started or you’re looking for a fresh format beyond the usual demos and presentations, a well-run hackathon helps members…

Hi CUG members! 👋 As a Company User Group (CUG) leader, you’re constantly looking for ways to reduce friction for your members while increasing consistency and quality across teams. One of the most underrated tools in your Atlassian toolkit is templates. From Jira issue and project templates to Confluence page templates…

Hi CUG members! 👋 Every strong Company User Group (CUG) has a heartbeat: real stories from real people. When members hear how colleagues are solving problems, improving processes, and making life easier with Atlassian tools, they can see what’s possible for their own teams. Success stories turn “nice idea” into “we could…

G’day CUG Leaders! One of your most impactful roles is helping teams get the most out of Atlassian products, but driving adoption isn’t just about rolling out new tools. It also requires fostering a culture where teams are empowered, engaged, and eager to use these solutions to their fullest. Here are five tips to help you…

Hi CUG members! 👋 As your Company User Group (CUG) grows, one of the most common questions we hear is: “How do we stop answering the same questions over and over and instead point people to one trusted place?” That’s where a resource library comes in. A well-designed library helps you centralize trusted content, highlight…

Technical expertise alone isn’t enough to drive success with your CUG - in reality, soft skills like communication and leadership are also essential for building strong teams and achieving goals. Developing these skills can help you overcome common obstacles and work more effectively with others. This article explores…

G’day CUG Leaders! Every thriving group is built on a foundation of diverse perspectives. When everyone feels welcome to share their insights, regardless of background or comfort level, the group’s output becomes richer, more innovative, and more impactful. But how do we make sure that quieter voices and those from…

Hi CUG Members, today we’ll talk about the best ways to build a resource library within your Company User Group (CUG). A well-crafted resource library is more than just a collection of documents - it’s a living hub that empowers users to find, share, and build on valuable knowledge. Whether you’re supporting a team,…

Hi CUG Members, today we’ll talk about the art of running effective problem-solving workshops within your Company User Group (CUG). Whether you’re a seasoned facilitator or just starting out, these tips will help you plan, prepare, and run workshops that spark collaboration and drive real results. Why Problem-Solving…

Hi CUG Members, today we’re diving into tips and tricks for working with remote teams. Remote work isn’t just a trend - it’s here to stay. But what separates high-performing remote teams from those that struggle? Let’s review some proven strategies that help remote teams thrive, based on Atlassian’s experience and industry…

Hi CUG Members, welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s foundational for every successful team: governing your Atlassian tools and users, and building best practices that scale across teams. Whether you’re just starting your Atlassian journey or looking to mature your…

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…

Hi CUG Members, Welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder! Building strong networks within your company user group isn’t just about making connections—it’s about unlocking new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. Here are some key ways that networking within your user group can elevate both your…

Hi CUG Members, Welcome to this week’s edition of Weekly Wonder! Surveys are a powerful tool for gathering feedback, but the effectiveness of a survey largely depends on how well the questions are crafted. Here are some key considerations for designing surveys that yield meaningful insights. Understand Your Objectives…