Description: Yammer Groups are specific communities within Yammer that allow users to collaborate on particular topics or projects. These collaboration platforms facilitate communication and the exchange of ideas among members of an organization, promoting a more cohesive and efficient work environment. Each group can be public or private, allowing administrators to control who can join and participate in discussions. Yammer Groups are designed to be intuitive, offering tools such as file sharing, conducting polls, and posting updates, which encourage interaction and engagement among members. Additionally, groups can be used to manage specific projects, share knowledge, or simply socialize among colleagues, contributing to a more inclusive and collaborative organizational culture. The integration of Yammer with other productivity applications, such as Teams and SharePoint, further amplifies its functionality, allowing users to access information and resources seamlessly. In summary, Yammer Groups are an essential tool for modern collaboration in work environments, effectively facilitating communication and teamwork.
History: Yammer was founded in 2008 by Adam Pisoni, Jack De’Angelo, and David Sacks. Originally, the platform was designed as a social network for businesses, allowing employees to communicate and collaborate more effectively. In 2012, Microsoft acquired Yammer for approximately $1.2 billion, integrating it into its suite of productivity tools. Over time, Yammer evolved to include features such as Yammer Groups, which were introduced to facilitate collaboration on specific projects and improve communication within organizations.
Uses: Yammer Groups are primarily used to foster collaboration on specific projects, share relevant information, and facilitate communication among teams. They are also useful for creating communities of interest within an organization, where employees can exchange ideas and best practices. Additionally, groups can serve as platforms for training and professional development, allowing members to engage in discussions on topics of common interest.
Examples: A practical example of using Yammer Groups is a group created for a software development project, where team members can share updates, documents, and receive real-time feedback. Another example is a group dedicated to diversity and inclusion, where employees can discuss initiatives and share resources related to organizational culture.
