The L&D Professional's Guide to Building Powerful Learning Communities

Introduction:
In this episode of the Digital Adoption Show, we delve into the intricacies of community building with Deepika Vani, Senior Field Marketing Manager at Whatfix, and Jane Bozarth, Director of Research at The Learning Guild. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, Jane offers invaluable insights on how to leverage technology to enhance training programs. Our discussion centers on the critical aspects of building a robust learning community, along with the challenges and rewards it entails.

Key Takeaways:

• Scaling a Community: Jane highlights the significance of clearly defining what aspects of your community you are scaling and why. She advises against the unrealistic goal of including everyone and suggests targeting specific segments or spaces tailored to different user groups.
• User-Driven vs. Company-Driven Communities: The success of a community often hinges on the resources available. Jane points out that while a company-supported community with dedicated managers can be highly effective, relying solely on volunteers may limit success. Setting realistic expectations is crucial.
• Measuring ROI of a Community: Drawing on Etienne Wenger's framework, Jane outlines key metrics for assessing community value. These include member participation, engagement levels, relationship building, and the creation and utilization of community-generated resources.
• Successful communities need diverse roles: Jane emphasizes the importance of various roles within a community to ensure its smooth functioning and success. She highlights that a thriving community requires a mix of active members, leaders, content managers, communicators, caretakers, knowledge sharers, and relationship builders. These roles often overlap and can evolve based on community needs.
• Advice for Growing and Engaging Communities: Jane underscores the importance of listening to community members and maintaining active participation. She stresses that community building is an ongoing process of engagement rather than a one-time effort of 'build it and they will come.'

Conclusion:
Creating and sustaining a thriving learning community demands thoughtful planning, continuous engagement, and a deep understanding of member needs. By fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, you can unlock the full potential of your community. Jane's expert insights offer valuable guidance for anyone aiming to build a successful and vibrant learning community.

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