Last week, the first official meeting of the Slack Community in Wrocław took place. This event, which attracted Slack enthusiasts and professionals from various industries, was the first step in building a space for professionals in our region where we can share knowledge, exchange experiences, and grow together. If you weren’t able to attend, I’ll try to briefly report on what actually happened, what worked great, and what provides us with valuable lessons for the future.
I know that in the IT industry, the concept of communities or meetups centered around a specific technology or topic isn’t new.
However, what can still be improved and worked on is the form itself and the final result, or perhaps the ultimate value gained by everyone involved. I might be repeating myself, but in my opinion, communities within the Salesforce ecosystem have that “something” that truly sets them apart from other meetups. To understand this, though, you’d really have to participate in them, ideally in a few different countries. Yet, the atmosphere of our meetings doesn’t change significantly regardless of latitude or longitude.
It shouldn’t be surprising then that I’d like to achieve a similar effect here in our community; after all, we’re one big family with Salesforce!
Goals and Mission – Did They Resonate with the Audience?
Our goal isn’t just to promote Slack as a tool, but primarily to build a space for learning, networking, and exchanging ideas and experiences. An added value was also to support individuals who are just starting their journey with Slack and emphasize that collaborative work on utilizing the tool’s potential can be enjoyable.
Sounds interesting, but is it accessible?
The presentation on Slack’s features and new developments, such as Workflow Builder 2.0, Canvas, and Slack Lists, concluded with a practical example (yes, Filip, I’ll record a demo!). This is a great option for those already somewhat familiar with Slack, but for beginners, it might be worth simplifying the message a bit or suggesting a separate introductory meeting. Topics like “next-gen apps” and Slack AI generated enthusiasm, but for some, they might have seemed a bit too technical – this is definitely something to consider for future meetings.
Real-life examples
While my presentation was more theoretical, I believe the one given by our colleagues from Ocado about their internal bot was infinitely more engaging for the attendees. It’s true it was more technical, but I personally felt it genuinely sparked interest among those present. That’s why it would have been a sin to cut short the Q&A, even though it impacted our schedule. But I think everyone felt it was worth bending the timeline a bit 🙂
Quiz and Networking – A Great Success?
After the official part, we had a quiz with prizes, which is somewhat of a tradition borrowed from Salesforce community meetings. I’m not sure if it was a bullseye, but from the stage, I think I can say that everyone seemed to have a good time. In the end, the quiz itself turned out to be an excellent excuse for conversations and jokes, which certainly helped to lighten the mood.
However, it must be said loudly that the long Q&A sessions and significant engagement in discussions during breaks meant there was no time left for final networking.
How can we improve next time?
First and foremost, this was my first event organized from scratch, so I expected stumbles and mistakes. And yes, there were a few. What’s more important, though, is that I got the impression it didn’t really bother anyone too much. But that’s just my subjective opinion.
However, time management and leaving room for conversations after all activities are a “must-have” for these kinds of initiatives. From the feedback we’ve received so far, we also know that participants would like more opportunities to get involved. Some concrete ideas came up, so they’ll most likely be implemented next time – whether all at once, we’ll see!
Those who attended the event also confirmed our assumptions: practical knowledge, examples, and workshops are far more valuable than shiny new features.
And here’s what I realized too late: you need to be specific and consistent in choosing the language for the event. I’m now aware that communicating in different languages might have caused confusion, so we’ve decided to stick to Polish for now.
Of course, we’re not ruling out English-language meetings, but the announcements about them will be more precise.
Recap
Should we reflect on the future? It’s worth dedicating more time to discussion to better understand the group’s needs and expectations – especially for those who are just starting out. We’ll make every effort to ensure future meetings are more interactive, which should help everyone get more involved.
What’s Next?
Regardless, our first meeting is behind us, and we’re already slowly planning future editions where we’ll certainly strive to ensure every participant finds something for themselves. Thanks to the warm reception and inspiring atmosphere, we’re even more motivated to continue our work.
Huge thanks go out to the Ocado Technology team, and particularly to the irreplaceable Ola, without whom this entire endeavor wouldn’t have been possible on this scale.
Below, you’ll find a gallery that will let you relive the event’s vibe and atmosphere. The large number of photos is no coincidence; we wanted everyone to be able to pick their favorite shots 😊
Thanks again, and see you at the next meeting!
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