Summary
Doing good service design is hard. You know what makes it easier? Having a supportive community of smart and generous professionals who are rooting for your success. In this session, we'll explore the power of professional communities, what makes them thrive, and help you decide if joining one is the right move for you. Plus, we'll share how to start and grow your own community based on the lessons we’ve learned from designing the community for in-house service professionals.
Key Insights
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49% of service design professionals feel disconnected from their peers.
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Community can significantly impact emotional and physical well-being.
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Members who feel connected are twice as likely to report making a significant impact in their organization.
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Communities that have structured, regular meetings tend to thrive compared to those that do not.
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A sense of belonging is essential for professionals, impacting job performance and satisfaction.
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Members value a curated, safe space to share experiences and challenges.
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One-to-one engagements, like coaching and networking, significantly enhance personal connections.
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Slow and intentional communication fosters deeper engagement compared to high-frequency chats.
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Communities should evolve based on member feedback to remain relevant and supportive.
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Having defined principles for community engagement can guide successful membership and retention.
Notable Quotes
"49% of service design professionals do not feel connected to their peers."
"We are wired for belonging; it's not just a nice to have."
"If you don’t feel connected, that makes an impact on your productivity."
"You’re on a journey, and it’s challenging, but having someone next to you can lower the perceived challenge."
"We wanted to design a community that would be missed if it were gone."
"Members said they feel more impact due to their connection with each other."
"The easy part is getting together; the hard part is maintaining engagement."
"It's important to build trust and confidence among community members."
"We’re constantly evolving, and the community members have a strong voice in shaping its direction."
"If you want to know more, reach out to me or Ru, and we’re happy to help."
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