Virtual Community Spaces for Professionals

As a working mom, marketer, former entrepreneur, and Techstars founder, my career has been an emotional roller coaster these past 5 years. Up I went riding the highs of a major acquisition and the lows of COVID parenting, then the highs of Techstars and the lows of winding down a start up. Throughout all of these experiences, I’ve found immense value in connecting with like-minded women through digital communities. I find myself in awe of the access they offer and dedication to connecting like minded people like me. And I love sharing with friends the impact these communities have had on me personally as a professional and a consumer. It honestly thrills me to know that so many people don’t even know this is happening or that these exist. What an opportunity for brands to build into their experience strategies—to connect deeply with consumers in contextual environments that offer beneficial community access. I thought I’d share a bit more about a few digital communities that I belong to and ones that I just love: ✨ the old girls club aka OGC: Hosted by the amazing mallory contois, this virtual gathering space is for women and non-binary people working in male-dominated industries, with a specific focus on members with 5+ years of experience. Members are committed to giving and receiving non-performative & tactical support in the form of intros, insights, examples, guidance and resources. My personal favorite are the “Momming,” “YELL IN ALL CAPS” and “Open Roles” channels. This community is so dedicated, we even have merch. ✨ VC Backed Moms: Founded by my dear friend Amelia Lin, VC Backed Moms is the largest community of venture backed founders at all stages of motherhood. Over 400 women participate, who’ve raised over $3B in funding. Talk about powerhouses. I met some of my consulting clients in this group, and have made industry friends that I’ll know forever. My personal favorite channel in this group is the “Intro” channel, where we get to learn about who these Moms are, what their families are like, and what they’re building. It’s incredibly inspiring. ✨ Female Founder World: Founded by Jasmine Garnsworthy, this is the place to meet your business "besties." I find Jasmine’s content extremely educational and valuable, her podcast is fantastic, and this community, operated on Geneva, shares operational tools that enable female led personal care, beauty and DTC businesses to thrive. It’s inspiring, funny, relatable and the newsletter and live presentations/demos are incredibly insightful. I’m also a participant in the Techstars Boulder Slack channel which offers community, support, resources and friendship, and private channels through co-working spaces like Hula in Burlington and Day Haus in Stowe. These platforms have transformed how I connect, learn, and thrive. What digital communities are you loving right now?? Pleased share!! 🌐 🤝 #CommunityBuilding #DigitalCommunities #WomenInTech #BrandExperience #Networking

The traditional networking event of a room full of people making small talk isn’t right for everyone. Introverts may feel overwhelmed. Folks with mobility or health issues may feel uncomfortable in crowds. Individuals in remote or rural areas may not have as many event opportunities. Fortunately, traditional networking events, while still valuable, are no longer the only avenue for making meaningful connections. Here are 5 alternative opportunities for business networking that can set you apart in today’s competitive environment. 1. Virtual Reality Conferences Virtual reality (VR) is not just for gamers; it's a burgeoning platform for professional networking. VR conferences offer a unique, immersive experience that allows for a more personal connection than traditional video calls or webinars. Attendees can virtually "meet" and interact in a 3D environment, making these events memorable and engaging. This digital approach breaks down geographical barriers, making it possible to network with global professionals in a whole new way. 2. Podcast Guest Appearances Becoming a guest on relevant industry podcasts is a fantastic way to share your expertise and connect with both the host and their audience. This platform provides an opportunity to showcase your knowledge, share insights, and discuss industry trends, which can attract potential partners, clients, or mentors. Moreover, it establishes your voice in the industry, opening doors to new networking opportunities. 3. Online Forums and Discussion Groups Online forums and discussion groups are treasure troves for niche networking. Platforms like Reddit, Quora, and industry-specific forums allow professionals to engage in deep, meaningful conversations, solve problems, and share expertise. By actively participating in these communities, you can build credibility, establish thought leadership, and connect with peers who share your interests and challenges. 4. Social Impact Volunteering Engaging in social impact projects or volunteering for causes related to your industry can open up unique networking opportunities. This approach allows you to meet like-minded professionals who are passionate about making a difference. Such connections are often more profound and can lead to collaborative projects, mentorship, and partnerships based on shared values and goals. 5. Creative Online Workshops and Classes Participating in or hosting online workshops and classes related to your field is an excellent way to meet others who are eager to learn and grow. These settings foster a collaborative environment where attendees are not just passive participants but are actively engaged in learning and sharing experiences. It’s a fantastic way to demonstrate your expertise, learn from others, and form connections based on mutual interests and professional growth. #networking #alternatives #business

My most effective networkers aren't solely relying on LinkedIn to connect. Here are 10 'other' tools and platforms I recommend for job seekers ↓ Here's the list... Lunchclub ↳ AI-powered networking that introduces you to professionals with similar interests/goals for 1:1 video chats. Shapr ↳ A networking app that works like Tinder for professionals. Match based on shared interests and schedule virtual meetups. Slack Communities ↳ Many industries have active public Slack groups (e.g., Superpath for content, Online Geniuses for marketing, Tech Masters for tech pros) where you can connect and get referrals. Fishbowl ↳ Anonymously connect and chat with professionals at similar levels or companies. Great for getting candid advice and backchannel info. GitHub ↳ For tech professionals and developers, networking through open source contributions and discussions is a high-trust path to referrals. Dribbble / Behance ↳ For creatives and designers, sharing work and engaging with others can lead to project invites or internal referrals. AngelList / Wellfound ↳ For startup enthusiasts. Find companies, connect with founders and early employees, or get intros for roles. Meetup ↳ Local and virtual events across every professional interest. Great for in-person networking or niche industry groups. Eventbrite ↳ Search for industry events, webinars, and workshops where you can engage directly with professionals. GrowthMentor / MentorCruise ↳ Connect with experienced professionals for mentorship; often leads to warm intros or referrals over time. A few pro tips with these tools: 1. Be careful with online communities. There ARE people who want to help, but there are also people who want to take advantage of you. 2. For 'event' sites, I recommend avoiding events where companies or hiring teams are not present. 3. I'd also recommend considering going to service or volunteering events hosted by local companies - this is a great way to meet employees in your area. And that's it! _ _ _ Let me know what platforms you'd add to my list.

✅ 𝙼𝚒𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚘𝚏𝚝 𝙼𝚎𝚜𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚣𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚠𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝. Here's how I'm embracing the future of immersive workspaces: I use #Microsoft #Mesh every day. Just last days, I spent an hour creating a virtual collaboration space. I'm passionate about immersive technology. So let me share my hands-on experience: 🚀 Microsoft Mesh isn't just another tech trend; it's a transformative tool, merging AI, 3D workspaces, and spatial audio to redefine team interactions. ♻️ Built on the Azure platform, it offers features like avatars, co-presence, and rich virtual environments, making remote collaboration more engaging and effective. But what's the real magic of Microsoft Mesh? ➡️ For starters, it's about making remote work less isolating, more interactive. 🔝 I've seen firsthand how it builds stronger team bonds and boosts productivity. Let me show you: -- 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗵: 🗝️ Start with a clear objective for your virtual space. 🗝️ Use Mesh's intuitive tools to create immersive environments. 🗝️ Integrate Mesh with Microsoft Teams for seamless collaboration. 🗝️ Engage in more natural and meaningful virtual meetings with spatial audio. 🗝️ Leverage avatars to maintain presence in digital meetings without video fatigue. 🗝️ Customize and use 3D environments for various business needs. 🗝️ Utilize Mesh's no-code editor for rapid event creation. ➡️ For developers: tap into Unity for fully customized immersive experiences. Explore the vast possibilities, from onboarding to virtual museums. Remember, it's about enhancing human connections, even remotely. These steps are more than just a process; they're a journey into the future of work. But if you're looking for more. 📌 Dive deeper into the technical aspects. 📌 Check out real-world applications and early adopters as highlighted in the Microsoft Tech Community. 📌 Visit the Microsoft 365 Blog for the latest on Mesh's capabilities and integration with Teams. 📌 This isn't just about following a trend. It's about shaping the future of collaboration and workplace dynamics. 📌 Microsoft Mesh is more than a tool; it's a game-changer. And I'm here to help you navigate this exciting new landscape. Want to see how Mesh transforms a typical workday? Follow me for more insights in 2024. 👉 Together with Engin Eser we plan a row of LinkedIn Lives to deep dive into Mesh.

Over the last 6+ years in HR, I have realised that while we work every day to build communities inside organisations, there isn’t really one for us. Basically a space for enthusiastic HR professionals to: - Share and learn best practices across companies - Seek each others support in various day to day problems across different verticals - Support each other through career transitions or personal emergencies - Mentor young HRs who feel stuck in a vertical or role - Build peer-to-peer connections that go beyond hiring discussions Most HR groups I’ve come across are either too narrow (only hiring, only L&D, etc.) or end up passive/dormant. Alumni groups exist, but they’re usually restricted to a few institutions and don’t enable real knowledge sharing. There is a clear need for a GrowthX-style community for HR professionals, a space where we can consistently share knowledge, exchange best practices, and support each other in our careers. A community like this (maybe we can call it PeopleX) could become the trusted circle HR folks turn to for mentorship, learning, and real peer support. I would love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments or in DM. #HR #HRCommunity #PeopleX #FutureOfWork #HumanResources