Weekly Wonder: How to Amplify Your CUG Within Your Organization

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Hi CUG members👋 !

This week, we’re tackling a common challenge many CUG Leaders face: getting your Company User Group prioritized by executive leadership amid competing priorities.

"How can we effectively secure executive sponsorship for our CUG to ensure it receives the recognition and resources it deserves?"

One of the most effective strategies is to obtain a C-level sponsor who can advocate for your group within the organization. Here’s how to approach this and demonstrate the value of your CUG:

1. Explain the CUG as an Employee Option - Position the CUG as a valuable option for employees to engage with products actively. Highlight that it fosters a sense of community, collaboration, and shared learning among users.

2. Present the Value Proposition 

   • Enhance Product Adoption: A well-structured CUG accelerates the adoption of Atlassian solutions by providing a platform for discussion, feedback, and training. This helps ensure that users are onboard quickly and effectively.

   • Enhance Comprehension: Establishing a CUG allows for the development of a centralized repository of knowledge, resources, and best practices. This can serve as a go-to reference for users and reduce the time spent searching for information. 

   • Establishing Product Governance: By bringing together users and stakeholders, your CUG can help establish clear guidelines and governance around product usage. This promotes consistency and accountability, which are important for maximizing the value of Atlassian solutions.

   • Keep Users Informed About New Features: A CUG serves as a vital communication channel to ensure that all users are aware of the latest features and updates, enhancing their ability to effectively utilize Atlassian solutions.

3. Engage Your C-Level Sponsor - Once you have identified a potential C-level sponsor, prepare a concise presentation that outlines the value and benefits of your CUG, backed by data and testimonials from users. Emphasize how supporting the CUG aligns with the organization's goals and enhances overall productivity.

If securing C-Level sponsorship proves to be difficult, there are alternative options available to ensure the continued activity and benefits of your CUG:

• Record Meetings: Record these sessions to share with your users later. This way, they can access the information at their convenience, ensuring that everyone stays informed. 

• Utilize Online Collaboration Tools: Leverage platforms like Confluence and Slack to create discussion forums, where users can ask questions, share experiences, and provide feedback asynchronously. 

• Create Regular Newsletters: Send out newsletters summarizing key discussions, updates, and resources from your CUG. This keeps your community engaged and informed about ongoing initiatives.

✅ Action Items: 

• Identify Potential Sponsors: Look for executives who have a vested interest in user engagement and product adoption. 

• Craft Your Pitch: Develop a clear and compelling presentation that outlines the benefits of the CUG and how it can positively impact the organization. 

• Engage Your Team: Involve your CUG members in this process by gathering their input and support, which can strengthen your case to leadership. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you successfully secured sponsorship for your CUG? What strategies worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below! 

Remember, you can submit your questions for future Weekly Wonder posts here or by replying to any of the Weekly Wonder posts.

[Dave Mathijs]

Thank you so much @Chris Shernaman for these useful insights, greatly appreciated!