Communication Tools

Slack

Slack is our primary communication tool for real-time and async conversations.

Channel Structure

#general: Company-wide announcements and discussions

#random: Non-work chat, memes, and fun

Department Channels:

• #engineering
• #sales
• #marketing
• #customer-success
• #product

Project Channels: Temporary channels for specific initiatives (prefix with proj-)

Customer Channels: One channel per customer for internal coordination (prefix with customer-)

Slack Best Practices

Use Threads: Keep discussions organized by using threads

Use Channels Over DMs: Default to public channels for work discussions so others can learn and contribute (see Communication Guidelines )

@mentions:

• @here: People currently online (use sparingly)
• @channel: Everyone in the channel (use very sparingly)
• @person: Direct notification to one person

Status Updates: Set your status when OOO, in a meeting, or in focus mode

Emoji Reactions: Use reactions for quick acknowledgment instead of “+1” messages

Do Not Disturb: Use DND to protect focus time

Slack Channels to Join

Everyone Should Join:

• #general
• #random
• Your department channel

Based on Interest:

• #home-assistant (for HA enthusiasts)
• #dev (engineering discussions)
• #customer-feedback (product insights)

Email

Email is for external communication and formal internal matters.

When to Use Email

• External communication (customers, partners, vendors)
• Formal documentation (offer letters, contracts)
• Communication requiring a paper trail
• Reaching people outside Slack

When NOT to Use Email

• Internal team communication (use Slack)
• Quick questions (use Slack)
• Project discussions (use GitLab or Slack)

Email Best Practices

Clear Subject Lines: Specific subject lines make emails easier to find

One Topic Per Email: Makes it easier to track and respond

BCC for Mass Emails: Use BCC when emailing multiple external recipients

Professional Tone: Email tone should be professional but friendly

Zoom

Zoom is our video conferencing tool.

Meeting Best Practices

Video On: Default to video on for better connection

Mute When Not Speaking: Reduce background noise

Use Good Audio: Invest in a decent microphone

Good Lighting: Face a window or lamp for better video quality

Test Before Important Meetings: Check audio/video before customer calls

Virtual Meeting Etiquette

Be On Time: Join a minute or two early

Minimize Distractions: Close other apps, silence notifications

Use Gallery View: See everyone in the meeting

Use Chat: Share links or side comments in chat

Recording: Ask before recording and announce when recording starts (see Meeting Guidelines )

Zoom Rooms

All-Hands: Monthly company meetings

Department Standups: Weekly team check-ins

1-on-1s: Personal Zoom rooms for manager 1-on-1s

Customer Calls: Use @selorahomes.com Zoom links for external calls

Other Tools

GitLab: Code, documentation, issues, merge requests

Notion: Long-form documentation and knowledge management

Linear: Project management and issue tracking

Google Workspace: Email, docs, sheets, calendar