The Community Roundtable

Empowering global community leaders with research-backed resources, training, and tools.

Cynthia Fortlage on the Evolution of Internal Cultural Development

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Welcome to the latest episode in our community podcast series, “Conversations with Community Managers.”

Join TheCR’s Jim Storer and Shannon Abram as they chat with community managers from a variety of industries about

  1. What’s your best advice for someone just starting out in Community Management?
  2. What are your best practices for increasing community engagement?
  3. How can you survive the zombie apocalypse? (Ok – they might not ALL be community questions…)

Episode #36 features Cynthia Fortlage, Vice President Information Technology And Social Business Leader at GHY International. Join us as we chat about evolution of their internal cultural development, how IT and social business intersect and how community management has changed in the last six years.

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Subscribe to “Conversations with Community Managers” on iTunes!

About Conversations with Community Managers*
To better reflect the diverse conversations our podcast covers we’ve changed the name of our long-running series to Community Conversations.
Community Conversations highlights short conversations with some of the smartest minds in the online community and social business space, exploring what they’re working on, why they do what they do, and what advice they have for you.
These episodes are a great way to begin to understand the nuances of community strategy and management.
Each episode is short (usually less than 30 minutes) and focuses on one community management professional

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Interview with a Community Veteran – Nigel Fortlage

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By Shannon Abram, Relationship Manager at The Community Roundtable

Nigel FortlageToday I’m excited to share another veteran community professional’s thoughts on the last five years in the community world. Nigel Fortlage has been a member of TheCR Network since 2009 – and has provided invaluable support and leadership along the way.  Nigel is the Vice President, Information Technology (CIO) at GHY International and has the very special distinction of being our very first international member in TheCR Network!

1. If you could go back and give yourself advice five years ago what would you say?

  • Trust your instinct, it is a better judge than that of a paid consultant who doesn’t know my business.
  • Learn from everyone, and share with just as many, by sharing your learn more.
  • Value relationships of all kinds, connect with everyone, you never know where the next great answer will come from.
  • Follow Matthew McConaughey’s advice, find someone to look up to, look forward to, and to chase.

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Given what I see today, I believe that the future for me may lie in a combination CIO/CMO role within our organization. The emergence of community/social business is escalating and reaffirms that we are on the right directions in developing our business. I also see synergy with a combined role as many aspects that are respectful of the other can be helpful and what a better way for IT to add value than through the eyes of our clients. Developing community and marketing skills allows me to see the clients view on things that are resulting in better delivery of initiatives.

3. Did you have any community management mentors along the way? Any specific advice they gave you that stood out to you?

I have had a few coaches that have helped me and are helping me. I have SEO specialists helping under the science behind SEO and being found online. I have marketing leaders who have helped me understand the language. I have business mentors who continue to help shape my view on the lifetime value of a client. Last but not least is the innocent relationship that began with a tweet and a response from Rachel that lead to me becoming an early member of The CR, where through Jim and Rachel’s advice I have gained understanding and application knowledge that still serves me today. I look forward to evolving my role through continued learning and participation with TheCR members.

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Looking to take your career in community management to the next level? 92% of members agree that TheCR Network supports and advances their personal and professional goals. Learn how our research, access to peers and experts, targeted content and exclusive concierge service can help you achieve your goals.