# Slack

Slack is where your meeting preparation briefs come to life. Once connected, Formata automatically delivers comprehensive customer insights to your chosen Slack channel 30 minutes before each customer meeting.

## Why Slack Integration is Recommended

Formata uses Slack as your meeting brief delivery system to:

* **Deliver briefs where you work** - Get insights in the platform you're already using
* **Enable quick access** - Meeting prep information available instantly without switching tools
* **Maintain workflow** - Briefs arrive in your natural work environment
* **Allow team collaboration** - Share insights with team members when needed

## What Formata Does in Slack

When you connect Slack, Formata will:

**✅ Send meeting prep briefs**

* Comprehensive customer context and insights
* Account history and recent activity
* Relevant conversation highlights
* Meeting-specific recommendations

**✅ Deliver timely notifications**

* Automatic delivery 30 minutes before meetings
* Consistent, reliable timing
* No manual action required

## Setup Process

Setting up Slack integration takes about one minute:

### Step 1: Install the Integration

1. Navigate to the **Integrations** page in your Formata dashboard
2. Find the **Slack** section
3. Click **Install Slack Integration**

### Step 2: Authorize Formata

1. You'll be redirected to Slack's app installation page
2. Review the permissions Formata is requesting
3. Click **Allow** to install the Formata app to your workspace

### Step 3: Choose Your Channel

1. Select which **channel** you want to receive meeting briefs in
2. Options include:
   * **Direct messages** (private, just for you)
   * **Existing channel** (share with team members)
   * **New dedicated channel** (create a #formata-briefs channel)

### Step 4: Confirm Setup

Once connected, you'll see:

* ✅ **Slack: Connected** status in your integrations dashboard

**Total setup time: 1 minute**

## Choosing the Right Channel

### Direct Messages (Recommended for most users)

**Best for**: Individual CSMs who want private meeting prep

**Pros**:

* Complete privacy for sensitive customer information
* No channel noise or distractions
* Personal workflow integration

**Cons**:

* Can't easily share insights with team members
* No team visibility into account preparation

### Dedicated Team Channel

**Best for**: Teams that collaborate on customer accounts

**Pros**:

* Team visibility into upcoming customer meetings
* Easy collaboration and insight sharing
* Collective knowledge building

**Cons**:

* Less privacy for sensitive customer details
* Potential for information overload

### Existing Channel

**Best for**: Teams with established customer success channels

**Pros**:

* Integrates with existing team communication
* Maintains current workflow patterns
* Easy team coordination

**Cons**:

* Briefs may get lost in other channel activity
* Mixed message types in one channel

## Brief Delivery Timing

**Standard Delivery**: 30 minutes before meeting start time

**Slack Notification**: You'll receive a standard Slack notification when your brief arrives

**Format**: Briefs are delivered as structured messages with clear sections for easy scanning

## Managing Notifications

#### Slack Notification Settings

Control how Slack notifies you about meeting briefs:

1. **In Slack**: Go to your notification preferences
2. **Channel-specific**: Set custom notification rules for your Formata channel
3. **Mobile/Desktop**: Configure push notifications for meeting prep briefs

#### Brief Frequency

* **One brief per meeting**: Each customer meeting gets exactly one prep brief
* **No duplicates**: Recurring meetings won't spam you with identical briefs
* **Updates only**: If meeting details change significantly, you may receive an updated brief

## Troubleshooting

#### "Not receiving briefs in Slack"

**Check these common issues:**

1. **Integration status**: Verify Slack shows as "Connected" in your dashboard
2. **Channel selection**: Confirm you selected the right channel during setup
3. **Calendar setup**: Ensure Google Calendar integration is also working
4. **Meeting criteria**: Verify meetings have external attendees and proper timing

#### "Briefs going to wrong channel"

**To change your delivery channel**:

1. Go to **Integrations** in your Formata dashboard
2. Click **Configure** next to Slack
3. Select a different channel
4. Save your changes

#### "Slack app permissions error"

**If you see permission errors**:

1. Check if your Slack workspace admin needs to approve the Formata app
2. Verify you have permission to add apps to your selected channel
3. Try reconnecting the integration

#### "Brief formatting looks broken"

**Possible causes**:

* Older Slack clients may not display rich formatting properly
* Some mobile versions of Slack have different message rendering

**Solutions**:

* Update your Slack app to the latest version
* View briefs on desktop for full formatting

## Privacy & Security

**Data Protection**:

* Meeting briefs are delivered securely through Slack's encrypted channels
* Customer data is handled according to enterprise security standards

**Access Control**:

* Integration uses Slack's OAuth system for secure access
* You can revoke access at any time through Slack or Formata
* No sensitive tokens are stored long-term

**Team Sharing**:

* Be mindful of channel selection if customer data includes sensitive information
* Consider using direct messages for highly confidential accounts
* Review your organization's data sharing policies

## Managing Your Integration

#### Changing Channels

To deliver briefs to a different channel:

1. Go to **Integrations** in your dashboard
2. Click **Configure** next to Slack
3. Choose a new channel
4. Confirm the change

#### Reconnecting

If your integration becomes disconnected:

1. Click **Reconnect** next to Slack in your dashboard
2. Follow the same authorization process
3. Reselect your preferred channel

#### Disconnecting

To remove Slack access:

1. Click **Disconnect** in your Formata integrations dashboard
2. Optionally remove the Formata app from your Slack workspace

**Note**: Disconnecting Slack will stop all meeting brief delivery since Formata won't have a way to send you the information.

## Team Setup Considerations

#### For Individual Users

* **Direct messages** provide privacy and focus
* **Personal channels** keep briefs separate from team noise
* **Mobile notifications** ensure you see briefs even when away from desk

#### For Team Managers

* **Shared channels** increase team visibility into customer preparation
* **Channel naming** (like #customer-success-briefs) helps organization
* **Permission management** ensures right team members have access

#### For Workspace Admins

* **App approval** may be required depending on workspace settings
* **Data policies** should be reviewed for customer information sharing
* **Integration management** can be monitored through Slack admin tools

## Next Steps

Once your Slack integration is connected:

1. **Test the delivery** by scheduling a customer meeting
2. **Optimize your channel choice** based on your first few briefs
3. **Set up additional integrations** like Gmail for richer brief content
4. **Configure notification preferences** for the best workflow integration