Getting Started with Yammer Collaboration

Introduction to Yammer Getting Started

This PDF titled "Yammer Getting Started" provides a detailed beginner’s manual for using Yammer, Microsoft's private social networking tool designed to enhance workplace communication and collaboration. Created by the University Information Technology Services of Kennesaw State University, the guide walks users through all steps necessary to effectively use Yammer across their organization.

Yammer allows employees to connect, share information, organize projects, and communicate in a secure environment limited to members of their organization. The document covers fundamental skills such as signing in and out, navigating the interface, managing inbox messages, creating private and group messages, searching conversations, setting up and managing groups, and uploading files. By following the instructions, users will be able to leverage Yammer's collaborative features to improve teamwork, share resources seamlessly, and keep everyone informed about updates and discussions.

Whether you’re a new employee or an experienced team member looking to improve digital collaboration, this guide equips you with the knowledge to use Yammer intuitively and effectively in your daily work life.

Topics Covered in Detail

• Accessing Yammer: Steps for signing in, navigating the platform, and logging out.
• Yammer Navigation: Overview of the main interface components, including Inbox, Groups, and Notifications.
• Inbox Management: Reading, organizing, and responding to messages and posts.
• Posting Messages: Creating public posts within groups and private messages to individuals or multiple recipients.
• Searching Messages: Using the search function to find conversations, documents, or individuals.
• Groups: Creating, accessing, managing membership, and collaborating within groups.
• Notifications and Following: Configuring alert settings and following people or conversations to stay updated.
• File Upload and Sharing: Uploading files to conversations or private messages and using Microsoft Online integration for previews and editing.
• Practical Tips: Recommendations for maximizing Yammer’s collaborative potential in real-world organizational environments.

Key Concepts Explained

1. Secure Collaboration Within an Organization Yammer provides a private, enterprise-focused social network where communication is restricted to organization members only. This ensures that conversations, shared files, and projects remain internal rather than public on the internet. This privacy aspect creates a safe space for open discussion and file sharing among colleagues.

2. Groups as Collaborative Workspaces Groups in Yammer serve as dedicated spaces for teams, projects, or topics. They facilitate targeted communication and document sharing, enabling team members to focus discussions and resources around specific objectives. Groups can be internal (only within the organization) or external (including people outside the organization), depending on collaboration needs.

3. Message Types: Public Posts vs. Private Messages Yammer differentiates between group posts which are visible to all group members and private messages sent directly to one or multiple recipients. This dual messaging system allows users to broadcast information broadly or communicate confidentially, aiding flexible communication.

4. Effective Use of Search Tools The search function within Yammer enables users to quickly locate messages, people, or files using keywords or phrases. This helps keep knowledge accessible and prevents redundant inquiries by retrieving historical conversations pertinent to current questions or projects.

5. Integrated File Sharing and Microsoft Online Editing Files can be uploaded to any conversation or message, allowing team members to preview, download, or directly edit documents using Microsoft Online applications. This seamless integration promotes collaboration on files without needing to leave the Yammer platform, streamlining workflows.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

Yammer's capabilities are highly valuable in various real-world scenarios. For example, in a company launching a new product, the marketing, design, and sales teams can create a dedicated group to share updates, feedback, and promotional materials. Team members can post questions, share insights, and upload files such as campaign plans or graphics for seamless collaboration.

In academic environments, faculty and staff can use Yammer groups to coordinate events, share research information, or discuss administrative matters while maintaining privacy and record-keeping. The messaging feature enables quick reminders or announcements.

Additionally, Yammer facilitates networking within large organizations by enabling employees to follow key individuals or conversations relevant to their roles. This fosters knowledge sharing beyond immediate teams and encourages informal mentorship and expertise exchange.

Uploading files with descriptive posts ensures all group members have easy access to the latest documents, reducing email clutter and version conflicts while improving team productivity.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Yammer: A private enterprise social networking service used to facilitate communication and collaboration within organizations.
• Group: A dedicated collection of members focused on a topic, department, or project within Yammer.
• Inbox: The area displaying messages, announcements, and posts targeted to the user.
• Private Message: Direct messages sent between individual users or groups of users, visible only to recipients.
• Add Files: Feature to upload documents, images, or other files to posts or messages.
• Microsoft Online: A suite of web-based applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, integrated with Yammer for file editing.
• Notifications: Alerts configured to inform users about new messages, posts, or activities on Yammer.
• Search Box: Tool for querying keywords or phrases to find messages, people, or files within Yammer.
• External Group: A Yammer group that includes members outside of the core organization for wider collaboration.
• Followers: Users who subscribe to updates from people or conversations to receive notifications.

Who is this PDF For?

This PDF is ideal for employees, team leaders, IT administrators, project managers, educators, and anyone in a professional setting needing to use Yammer for communication and collaboration. Beginners new to Yammer or those looking to deepen their understanding of its features will benefit greatly from this guide.

Organizations aiming to boost internal communication efficiency, knowledge sharing, and teamwork productivity can use this resource for training and onboarding. It also helps IT personnel support users by understanding common workflows and functionality.

Ultimately, any professional wanting to leverage a secure and effective social networking platform for organizational communication will find the content insightful and practical.

How to Use this PDF Effectively

To get the most out of this guide, start by familiarizing yourself with basic navigation and core features like messaging and groups. Practice each step in your own Yammer environment to reinforce learning.

Pay particular attention to file uploading and sharing instructions, as these are essential for modern teamwork. Use the document as a quick reference during everyday use.

For group administrators, follow the sections on creating and managing groups carefully to ensure groups serve their organizational needs effectively. Regularly customize notification settings for optimal balance between staying informed and avoiding overload.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yammer used for in the workplace? Yammer is used to facilitate private communication and collaboration within organizations. It enables employees to share ideas, files, and updates in group or private messages securely.

Can I share files directly in Yammer conversations? Yes, you can upload and attach files to any conversation post, private message, or note. Files can be previewed or edited using Microsoft Online integration, enhancing collaboration.

How do I find older messages or files on Yammer? Use the search function by entering keywords, phrases, or names. The search results display all related messages and documents, allowing easy retrieval of past content.

What are groups in Yammer and how do they help teamwork? Groups create focused spaces for teams or topics, where members can post updates, share files, and have targeted discussions, improving communication and organization.

How do notifications work in Yammer? Notifications alert you to new messages, posts, or activities you follow. You can configure them to get emails or alerts within Yammer to stay informed without constant checking.

Exercises and Projects

Exercises from the PDF: The PDF focuses mainly on instructional content rather than formal exercises. However, it recommends practical application through hands-on exploration like posting messages, creating groups, setting up notifications, and uploading files.

Suggested Projects:

1. Create an Internal Yammer Group for Your Team

• Set up a group dedicated to a current project or department.
• Invite members and post a welcome message outlining group objectives.
• Upload key documents related to your project.
• Experiment with notifications and encourage members to follow important conversations.

2. Organize a Yammer File Repository

• Upload standardized templates, guides, or reference files used frequently by your team.
• Post descriptions for each file so members know their purpose.
• Use Microsoft Online to edit files collaboratively within Yammer.

3. Run a Yammer Q&A Session

• Post an open question and encourage team members to respond in threads.
• Use the search feature to find relevant past discussions for answers.
• Highlight and pin useful answers or documents for easy access.

These projects empower users to practice Yammer features in realistic contexts