Community - Look at Offline Examples

I believe that examples of thriving communities are all around us in our hectic everyday lives, and that these examples are worth following as you consider an online community.

I have two examples that are worth a read.

OK, so it doesn't happen often but I went to my gym this weekend. This gym is not just any gym, it’s the kind that you should visit frequently because it’s a fantastic environment with the confines of UCSFs' new medical teaching and research facility. It is officially called the Bakkar Fitness Center.

So why should you care about my fitness? You shouldn't.

What impresses me about the facility is the presence of community everywhere. UCSF is very passionate and serious about its community. That is, they emphasize what it means to participate in the community and define the expectations of the community participants. Banners elegantly hang everywhere to remind us to respect and participate within the community. The defining attributes are clearly presented and are included within their mission statement. Interestingly, the attributes of the UCSF community are very similar to the values of leverage software.

The community characteristics include respect, accountability, trust, fairness and compassion. UCSF also posts banners throughout the facility asking people to think of how they value community.   The hallways speak community and it seems to work. People do seem very respectful of one another and the facility. This offline model is an excellent model for online communities and social networks. Define the goals of your community, market those goals, encourage participants to share in your mission and thrive.

My second examples can be found in a location that I experience with much greater frequency – Farley’s Coffee shop. Farley's is arguably the number one coffee shop in San Francisco. The coffee is quite good, the attitudes are ok but the community atmosphere that they provide is amazing. It includes and amazing magazine rack, artist hangings, great music, an occasional live band, games and an amazing environment for community to thrive.

So what’s my message? Consider your offline experiences when designing the online community experience that you wish to enable. Consider a variety or sources for inspiration and ideas. These experiences may include a hotel stay, your town park, a baseball stadium, an outstanding plate of food at a restaurant, a coffee shop, the perfect martini, a pair of elegant shoes, a wonderful or terrible shopping experience and even a health-club. These offline experiences should be considered throughout the entire life-cycle of a community including goal-setting, marketing, designing the look, feel, work-flow, messaging, guidelines, and rules of engagement.

Stay off your blackberry and pay attention to the community around you. It is SO easy to get caught up in the email thing that community, and life in general, passes by. Next time you kill an hour at your local coffee shop, buying a pair of shoes, or enjoying your favorite cocktail just think of it as research. Enjoy!