John HeinrichsIntroduction
In today's business world, online communities are more important than ever. A well-run online community can provide invaluable feedback and insights, help to build brand loyalty, and generate buzz around a company or product. Many industry giants, such as Lego, Dell, and Adobe, have all launched successful virtual communities. As a business student, shouldn't you have a place to learn and grow with your community?
Why are online communities important for businesses?
“Competitors can copy your marketing. They can copy your product/offering. But they can't copy your community because the value isn’t in lines of code it's in lines of connection.”
- Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO - HubSpot
There are many reasons why online communities are important for businesses. First, online communities can provide valuable feedback and insights about a company or product. For example, if a company launches a new product, members of an online community can provide feedback about the product's features and usability. This feedback can help the company to improve its products and services.
Second, online communities can help to build brand loyalty. For example, if a customer is active in an online community for a company's products, they are more likely to be loyal to that company's products.
Third, online communities can create buzz around a company or product. For example, if a company launches a new product, members of the online community may start talking about it on social media and other online platforms. This can help to generate interest in the product and increase sales.
Overall, online communities are important for businesses because they can provide valuable feedback and insights, help to build brand loyalty, and generate buzz around a company or product.
How online communities can be used to benefit business students?
Joining and participating in an online community for business students can provide several benefits, including:
- Access to a wealth of information and resources. Online communities are a great place to find information and resources on a variety of topics related to business.
- Opportunities to connect with other business students. Online communities offer the opportunity to connect with other students who share your interests and passions. This can be a great way to build relationships and networking connections.
- The ability to ask questions and get feedback. Online communities are a great place to ask questions about business-related topics and get feedback from other students and experts.
- A sense of community and support. Online communities can provide a sense of community and support for business students as they work through their studies.
Examples of successful online communities for business students
Several examples of successful online communities for business students include:
- The MBA Student Hub
The Jenkins MBA Student Hub at NC State University is an online community for business students. It offers a wealth of information and resources, opportunities to connect with other students, the ability to ask questions and get feedback, and a sense of community and support. It can be a great place for business students to learn and grow with their peers.
- The Entrepreneur's Forum
The Entrepreneur's Forum is an online community for business students and entrepreneurs. It offers a wealth of information and resources, opportunities to connect with other students and entrepreneurs, the ability to ask questions and get feedback, and a sense of community and support. It can be a great place for business students and entrepreneurs to learn and grow with their peers.
- SMU Cox School of Business Forums
The SMU Cox School of Business Forums is an online community for business students at the SMU Cox School of Business. It offers a wealth of information and resources, opportunities to connect with other students, the ability to ask questions and get feedback, and a sense of community and support. It can be a great place for business students to learn and grow with their peers.
- StartupNation
StartupNation is a website where people can learn about starting their businesses. StartupNation’s community forums encourage active group discussions with like-minded entrepreneurs sharing tips and valuable advice. People can ask questions and get feedback from other entrepreneurs, and find resources to help them get started including educational programs, consulting, and financial services.
- SCORE Association
The SCORE Association is a nonprofit association that offers free and confidential business advice to small businesses. SCORE’s community forums offer a place for small business owners to ask questions and get feedback from other business owners. SCORE also offers educational programs, resources, and consulting services to help small businesses start and grow their businesses.
Conclusion
An online community can provide invaluable feedback and insights, help to build brand loyalty, and generate buzz around a company or product. As a business student, having a place to learn and grow with your community is essential. There are many examples of successful online communities that businesses have launched. Consider getting involved in an online community related to your field of study. You may be surprised at how beneficial it can be!
References
- Jenkins MBA Student Hub, https://mba.ncsu.edu/academic-policies-and-procedures/
- SMU Cox School of Business, https://www.smu.edu/cox/Centers-and-Institutes/ and https://www.smu.edu/cox/Our-People-and-Community
- Startup Nation, https://community.startupnation.com/
- SCORE, https://www.score.org/
- The Six Sessions | Jon Dick (HubSpot), https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-sessions-jon-dick-hubspot-richard-wood/
- We All Want to Belong: Building a Successful, Sustainable Community, https://share.vidyard.com/watch/sV2B7m27yNj3GKueaCd5Ze
- Why Community Matters Now More Than Ever With HubSpot Co-Founder Dharmesh Shah, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PvZTD6oEBc