6 BENEFITS OF HAVING A COMMUNITY
You will have heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child." Such a simple saying: it emphasises the importance of the people around you, or your community, in assisting you in raising a child.
This saying, however, is not limited to parenting. In fact, it is ideal for business.
In some ways, your business (or brand) is like your child. You look after it, work hard to ensure its success, and do everything possible to keep it safe from harm. Creating and maintaining a successful business and/or brand, like parenting, is something that cannot be done alone. As much as being a lone wolf is admired in today's business world, being supported, and working with your network of business leaders and supporters has numerous advantages. Let us look at some of the benefits of being involved in your community for your business.
1. Communities help you learn
The first thing to remember is that you do not know everything. A community is beneficial since it allows you to study and get new knowledge. In business, it is common to become so close to a project that it is difficult to take a step back and realise what you may be missing. It is critical to recognise that each member in your community is their own source of information and has their own unique experiences that can be quite beneficial to you. Your community members can be the fresh eyes you need to look at your project and give you with ideas to improve it.
2. Communities help you build your network
Your community is also important for growing your network. Genuine ties within your community and network can take you a long way. People in your neighbourhood have their own networks and groups, and some of them may have connections that you would like to make as well. Maintaining kindness, respect, and consistent interaction with the people in your community will assist you not only in the short run, but also in the long run when you may find yourself looking for new possibilities or having to develop particular connections.
3. Communities support you
Sometimes all we need is a thumbs up, a nudge to take the big step, or even a shoulder to rest on. Your community can help you and inspire you to achieve your goals. According to research on empathic leadership, a supportive leader positively correlates with innovative behaviour. When making decisions, having emotional support and encouragement can give you the confidence and strength to make the best decisions, leading to better outcomes.
4. Communities educate you
Each member in your community not only has their own experiences and viewpoints, but they also come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds that have shaped these experiences and perspectives. Being part of a diverse community helps you to learn and become acquainted with new ways of living and thinking. A diverse workplace is demonstrated to have numerous advantages, particularly greater critical thinking, and empathy. A varied community makes you a better innovator.
5. Communities bring strength in numbers
Marketing today is all about numbers and metrics. Having a large and/or diverse community is beneficial to social media and marketing. Assume you have a new idea and need online support to help it take flight. Having a group to network with is a terrific method to get fresh digital ideas off the ground.
6. Communities also raise you
Fundamentally, belonging to a community improves you as a leader, learner, and individual. Yes, your community is a resource, and yes, the people in it are connections, but above all else, they are your supporters, friends, and cheerleaders. Business today is a world of outcomes, jargon, and goals. Our communities, whether we like it or not, are what will get us where we want to go. Even if you are forced to work with people you would rather not, these people force you to approach problems from a different angle, push you to improve your communication skills, and encourage you to reach new heights of empathy.
It really does take a village. Many of the categories are interconnected. But the fact that a single community can offer all these advantages is what makes it unique. No one has arrived where they are today entirely on their own, despite what the media may portray. Take a deep dive into your community. Gain knowledge, participate, and establish connections. In some cases, you may discover more than you expected.