Whether you’re part of a small project group or a company-wide initiative, Microsoft Teams is a powerful tool that helps you stay connected and productive. But to truly get the most out of it, it’s important to make sure you’re using it effectively—especially when it comes to communication and notifications.
1. Keep Conversations Organized
Use the right channel for the right conversation. Instead of sending private chats for everything, post updates, questions, or files in the appropriate channel where the whole team can stay informed. You can:
- Use @mentions to tag individuals or the whole team.
- Reply to conversations in-thread to keep discussions easy to follow.
- Keep titles clear when starting a new post to give quick context.
2. Set Your Status and Be Responsive
Setting your status helps others know when you’re available:
- Available: Ready to chat or jump on a call.
- Busy or Do Not Disturb: Heads-down time (notifications will be limited).
- Away: You’re currently away from your desk.
Tip: Teams can automatically update your status based on your Outlook calendar or activity.
3. Use Chat Wisely
Private chats are great for quick, focused conversations. You can:
- Create group chats for smaller task forces.
- Share files directly in the chat.
- Turn a chat into a quick call with the video or audio call buttons.
4. Make Sure Notifications Are Set Up Correctly
If you’re missing updates—or getting too many—you might need to adjust your notification settings.
Here's how:
Set Up Teams Notifications
- For global Teams notifications, click the … next to your profile icon in the top right of Teams.
- Select Settings > Notifications and activity.
- Review each section:
- General: Customize your notifications using Sound and Display options. It is not recommended to Mute all notifications.
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Chats and channels Include:
- Mentions: Make sure you’re alerted when someone tags you.
- Messages: Decide how you’re notified about chats and replies.
- Meetings: You can receive reminders to start or attend meetings.
- Individual Teams and Channels: Click … next to the channel and select Channel notifications to customize notifications per team or channel.
Using Teams effectively can help you stay in the loop of the events and activities that matter to you most at MCC. For more detailed information, please review the training videos and quick start guides on the Employee Portal Information Technology page and within the Canvas Employee Development Course.