Async Change Champions Kickoff

[Abby Frelich]

I'm working on an async kickoff for an international digital transformation change champions group. I'm planning to use Loom to record a general orientation video and will provide other materials for reference. I'll also set up a Slack channel for info sharing and questions (and fun), and will send a questionnaire at the end to get feedback on the experience and also to get specific information about what they and their teams will need in terms of support through the transition and beyond. 

Any tips, or things that have worked well for you? We're a remote-first company, and always on the lookout for innovative ways to connect and collaborate.

[Jesse Feldman]

Hi Abby! Two tips from my experience with Loom:

1. Asking a fun icebreaker question at the beginning of your Loom is a great way to get viewers engaged at the top & commenting to each other. You can literally say "Leave a comment right here on the video to let me know [your favorite summer dessert etc"
2. Use the Loom CTA option to link your materials hub right into the video, so no one loses track of it. That puts a button with the link to the reading in the corner of your Loom.

[Erin Collins-Valiantys]

I'm really eager to hear how others may have succeeded with async workshops, not only using Loom (excellent idea, love that) but also generally - pros and cons. I'll be following this one!

[Abby Frelich]

@Erin Collins-Valiantys I launched the orientation video this week and got really great reviews in the follow up survey! People were glad to be able to watch the video on their time, and to have it as a resource to refer to in the future if they want a review of key points. Some more specific feedback was around transparency - we shared the project goals, timeline, and how it might impact their work and other org. goals so they can begin to socialize the change with their teams. 

As far as cons... at least half of the recipients watched the video right away, but I'm sure that there will be those who either don't watch by the due date, or who are not giving it their full attention when they do. I will be reinforcing some of the key points as we ramp up, to account for that.  

[Andy Gladstone]

@Abby Frelich welcome to the Atlassian Community!

I love this idea. Async is great because it causes us to be intentional about what and how we share - and generally leaves an artifact behind that can be referenced in the future.

With your Loom videos, consider creating a Confluence space that you can post them into using Smart Links. Make sure to date them so that team members can easily find and reference them. While Slack is a great place to have a conversation, make sure at the end that it is documented properly and for posterity in a Confluence page or blog post!

[Abby Frelich]

Love this! We don't currently have centralized resources/documentation for this product, so we're going to use Confluence for the Change Champs group to begin driving traffic there and build the habit of looking at it as the source of truth. Project documentation will go there, and at the end of the day we hope to leave teams with a comprehensive, one-stop-shop for everything they need - training, technical documentation, resources, etc. 

[Juan Carlos Pin]

HI @Abby Frelich !

Don't forget to create a well-maintained Confluence site so everyone can catch-up easily! AAANNNDD take a look at this Atlassian University course by @Mark Cruth  himself!!

Async Collaboration for Distributed Teams : Atlassian

[Abby Frelich]

Good looking out! On my way to enroll!