Understanding and Improving Engagement in ERG Slack and Microsoft Teams Channels with SAM and SES
Slack is a widely-used communication platform that offers a variety of metrics to help users understand the activity and success of their channels. These metrics can be divided into two categories: Basics and Activity. Basics includes metrics such as last active, total membership, and external organizations, while Activity Metrics includes metrics like messages posted, members who posted, and views.
Tracking both of these types of metrics is essential in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the success of a Slack channel. However, when it comes to analyzing the success of Employee Resource Group (ERG) Slack channels, it can be challenging to take into account the size of the ERG. This is where Slack Active Membership (SAM) scores and Slack Engagement Scores (SES) come in.
It is worth noting that the principles discussed in this article can also apply to other communication platforms with analytics, such as Microsoft Teams. By regularly tracking metrics such as Active Membership (AM) and Engagement Scores (ES), users of these platforms can gain a better understanding of the level of engagement and participation within their channels and work towards improving and maintaining a thriving online community.
SAM - Slack Active Membership
SAM scores provide insight into the level of engagement of members within a Slack channel by measuring the percentage of members who have opened the channel in the past 30 days. This is calculated by dividing the total number of members by the number of active members. Calculating the SAM score for a channel can be beneficial in a number of ways. For one, it can help users understand the level of engagement and usage of the channel by its members. A high SAM score may indicate that the channel is being widely accessed and utilized by its members, while a low SAM score may indicate the opposite. This information can be useful in identifying areas for improvement or areas of success within the channel.
In addition to providing information about the level of engagement and usage of a channel, a low SAM score may also indicate the perception of the channel among its members. If a significant percentage of members are not accessing the channel, it could be because they feel that the channel is not meeting their needs, does not have relevant resources or information, or is simply not active or engaging. By understanding the reasons behind a low SAM score, ERG leaders and administrators can work to improve the channel and make it more relevant and useful for its members. By regularly tracking and analyzing SAM scores, ERGs can ensure that their channels are meeting the needs of their members and fostering a sense of community and engagement within the group.
SES - Slack Engagement Scores
SES, on the other hand, help to gauge the level of participation and interaction within a Slack channel by measuring the percentage of active members who have either posted or reacted with an emoji in the channel over the past 30 days. This is calculated by dividing the sum of the number of members who have posted or reacted by the number of active members, and then dividing the result by two.
By regularly tracking SES, users can aim for a goal of 25% or higher, with one in four channel viewers actively engaging through posting or reacting. This level of participation and interaction can help foster a sense of community and encourage the exchange of ideas and information within the ERG channels. By using SES as a benchmark, ERG Leaders can get a more accurate picture of the level of engagement and participation within their ERG Slack or Microsoft Teams channels and work towards improving and maintaining a thriving online community.
Conclusion
Using metrics such as Slack Active Membership (SAM) and Slack Engagement Scores (SES) can provide valuable insight into the level of engagement and participation in Employee Resource Group (ERG) Slack and Microsoft Teams channels. By measuring percentages rather than raw whole numbers, it is easier to compare the success of ERG channels regardless of their size. Regular tracking of these scores can help identify areas for improvement or areas of success within the channels, but it may require the use of spreadsheets and other tools to effectively visualize and communicate the data.