TheCR Connect conference is always striving to push the dialogue further, and this year did not disappoint. Between an in-depth exploration of the vendor market in their Community Solutions Showcase to the two thought-provoking keynotes on entrepreneurship and trust in Community spaces, my notebook is more frantic and full than ever with takeaways. Below are three themes (of the many) that seemed most prevalent in The CR Connect conference this year.
Technology Needs to Catch Up (and Listen)
As Community Managers, we’re often closest to the technology and the last to be invited to the table. As the platform landscape is shifting faster than ever before, with a wealth of migrations on the horizon, being included as part of the design is critical to Community success and platform harmony.
Own Your Space (and Your Power)
If you needed a confidence boost, you were in luck at this year’s Connect. As Rachel Happe states it “influence is more powerful than control”; and as community leaders we are on the front lines of influence. We heard from several presenters on how articulating your expertise and ownership of your skills is necessary for not only this industry, but the success of your own Community.
We’re In This Together
When asked about key takeaways, one attendee summarized the feeling of Connect beautifully with the statement “I’m not alone!”
No matter if you’re more focused on executive dashboards, building out your ROI, or launching a community for the first time, we’re here for each other. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel each year in the availability of my peers to share their successes (and trip-ups) with each other, building a network that gets deeper and stronger over time. What other industry can put that to their name and truly practice what they preach.
Bringing It Together, Together
Through the distilling in my notebook, I feel committed to owning my space, articulating my expertise, and leaning on the power of my network to direct where I can grow. As we hear from others in the coming weeks their big ideas from Connect, my hope is that we keep the conversation going. It is through this sharing, trust, and vulnerability in each other that we can truly lift each other up and succeed. See ya all next year!
