In a fast-paced corporate environment, efficiency is key. We all look for ways to streamline our daily routines and reduce time spent on simple tasks like checking corporate event schedules, managing work hours, and handling vacation or sick leave requests. Fortunately, modern technology offers a wide range of automation tools and workflows to simplify communication. So why not make the most of them?
At Trembit, we use Slack as our primary communication tool. To improve productivity, we automated the process of viewing company announcements, tracking events, and managing vacations using n8n—a powerful automation platform with built-in workflows designed for these tasks.
Example of n8n workflow
Trembit Events Chat Bot
Why We Built It
At Trembit, we believe that simple things matter. Since we operate as a fully remote team, staying informed about company events and announcements is essential. To ensure clarity and consistency, we automate daily updates for key events such as company meetings, Literature Club sessions, birthdays, vacations, and sick leaves.
We follow the principle that forewarned is forearmed, so every morning, these events are automatically posted on the General Slack channel. This keeps everyone informed and helps team members plan their workday effectively.
How It Works
The Events Chat Bot works like this:
- It connects to the Trembit Calendar, where all events are scheduled.
- The calendar serves as the bot’s database.
- The bot sends event updates to Slack using an automated n8n workflow.
- Every workday, a list of upcoming events is posted in the General Slack channel.
- Employees can click a direct link to view event details in the calendar.
Example of Trembit Events Chat Bot message
Trembit Vacations chat bot
Why We Built It
One of the most common HR questions is about vacation days—how many are left, how many have been used, and when they were taken. Instead of manually checking with HR, employees can now get an instant answer in Slack.
How It Works
The Vacations Chat Bot follows this process:
- A Google Spreadsheet stores employee vacation details, including total, used, and remaining days.
- The bot connects to this spreadsheet as its database.
- It integrates with Slack through an automated n8n workflow.
- Employees add the Chat Bot App to Slack and enter the command: /my_vacation.
- Slack instantly shows their vacation balance and history.
Example of Trembit Vacations Chat Bot message
Why We Chose n8n for Automation
n8n is a powerful open-source automation tool that connects different apps and services. It’s similar to tools like Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat), but it gives us more control and flexibility. Here’s why we picked it:
- Easy to customize – We can create workflows that match our exact needs.
- No coding required – Even non-technical team members can use it.
- Supports self-hosting – We keep our data private and secure.
- Works with many apps – Seamless integration with Google Calendar, Slack, Google Sheets, and more.
Other Ways to Automate Workflows
If you’re looking to automate more tasks, here are some ideas:
- Task Reminders in Slack
- Automatically remind team members about tasks from Trello, Asana, or Monday.com.
- Example: A bot sends daily standup reminders to update task statuses.
- Onboarding for New Employees
- Send welcome messages, company guidelines, and HR checklists to new hires.
- Example: A bot guides new employees through IT setup and training.
- Meeting Scheduling Assistant
- Connect Slack with Google Calendar to book meetings automatically.
- Example: A bot suggests available time slots and books conference rooms.
- Expense and Reimbursement Requests
- Automate expense approvals by linking Slack with Google Sheets.
- Example: Employees submit claims in Slack, and managers approve them instantly.
With n8n, these workflows are easy to set up and save hours of manual work.
Conclusion
Our automated Slack bots for events and vacations have made communication at Trembit much smoother. With n8n, we’ve eliminated repetitive tasks, improved transparency, and boosted efficiency. If you’re thinking about automating workflows in your company, start with simple tools like event notifications or leave tracking, and expand from there. The possibilities with n8n are endless.
