Community ROI

“If your community disappeared tomorrow, what signals would your company lose? That’s your return on investment."In this episode, we discussed how community becomes business-critical asset helping other teams to understand where the market is moving, and which community members are ready to contribute, advocate, or convert, in particular:👉 Why community ROI starts with understanding what signals the business would lose without community.👉 How to identify leading indicators before trying to prove final business outcomes.👉 How community can reveal product needs, expansion opportunities, brand momentum, and ecosystem trends.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jenifer De Figueiredo, a community and program manager who blends data science, creativity, and strategy to turn communities into real growth engines: from scaling an AI community by 260% to bridging product, marketing, and data, she definitely knows how to herd some cats!Together, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jenifer and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenifer-de-figueiredo/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Jenifer De Figueiredo(02:31) Mediating Change for Members(03:51) UGC Flywheel Basics(05:45) Automating UGC with AI(09:40) Business Value of UGC(11:25) Finding Content Everywhere(15:32) Community Health Metrics(19:57) Reporting Impact Internally(22:24) Getting Leadership Buy In(25:21) Top Teams Community Serves(29:37) Ideal Community Tech Stack(33:29) Proving ROI with Indicators#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“You do not build business growth by forcing participation; you build it by creating value people want to return to.”In this episode, we discussed how well-designed community events can create meaningful human connections while driving measurable business value like engagement, adoption, and long-term growth, in particular:👉 How authentic relationships can turn a “nice-to-have” group into a real business asset.👉 Why events are strong tools for growing engagement and brand awareness.👉 How to build a community that members would genuinely miss if it disappeared tomorrow.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Veronica Kaulinis, a community builder, facilitator, and change management professional who turns knowledge into action, designing systems, programs, and experiences that drive real engagement and business impact, from leading enterprise knowledge platforms to building global communities like Vulnerable AF™ about powerful conversations and human connection!Together, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Veronica and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-kaulinis-62718685/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Veronica Kaulinis(01:31) Accidental Community Builder(04:16) Authenticity Drives Growth(07:11) Wellness Membership Model(11:20) Community Business Definition(13:22) Events That Build Community(19:27) Internal Event Playbook(25:04) Getting Members To Share(27:38) Event Magic Marketing(31:25) Touchpoints That Stick(34:48) Change Habits Refresher(36:36) Proving Community ROI(40:42) Leadership Visibility Playbook(43:25) Quick Wins Right Now(45:45) Offboarding For Alignment#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“What really matters is not engagement for the sake of it, but the behaviors your community members take that actually drive business outcomes.”In this episode, we discussed how a community becomes a true growth engine when you connect member behavior to business outcomes, moving from engagement to measurable impact like retention, expansion, and revenue, in particular:👉 What activity creates the strongest impact on growth and retention.👉 How to connect community activities to business results with data.👉 What AI can help automate in your community operations.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Ana Julia Braga, an experienced community builder who has spent the last few years building and scaling communities from the ground up and figuring out what makes online spaces tick, and today leads a global network of 40,000+ users at ClassDojo, turning community conversations into insights, and insights into business growth!Together, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Ana Julia and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-julia-braga/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Anna Julia Braga(01:06) Data Skills for Community(03:04) Dashboards and Pipelines(04:33) Mentor Parties and Magic(07:47) Proving Revenue Impact(09:34) Why Meetups Drive Growth(13:49) What Community Really Means(16:35) Setting Community Goals(18:59) Experiments and Resources(24:53) Engagement Tiers and Lurkers(26:54) AI Automation at Scale(34:14) Partnering with Product Sales Marketing(39:21) Internal Visibility and Reporting(42:31) Getting Leadership Buy-In(46:23) Quick ROI Measurement Tip#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Your biggest growth channel might already be your most passionate users.”In this episode, we discussed how to turn community from a “nice-to-have” into a measurable business engine by aligning it with product, growth, and user outcomes, in particular:👉 The role of community in improving onboarding and user experience.👉 How to build a global community ecosystem that scales.👉 How community supports marketing, product, and growth teams.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Erica Hanson, who doesn’t just build communities, but builds movements at global scale—from spending 17 years at Google scaling developer programs to millions of people worldwide, to leading DevRel and community at FlutterFlow with millions of users—she’s been at the center of what it really takes to turn users into advocates, always combines strategy with empathy, and knows exactly how to connect community with product growth and real impact!Together, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Erica and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansonerica/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Erica Hanson(01:18) Erica’s Meetup Energy(03:50) Host vs Participant Roles(05:41) Events That Drive Growth(08:19) Defining Business Community(10:32) Don’t Assume, Ask(12:44) Survey Interest vs Attendance(15:20) Google Student Clubs Story(19:32) Metrics That Mattered(22:40) Roots in Dad’s Community(26:31) Member Focus Playbook(29:54) Partnering With Key Teams(34:12) Winning Leadership Buy-In(37:39) Quick ROI Actions#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“When you support your community members in growing their business, you support your own business.”In this episode, we discussed how to design programs, events, and advocacy systems that directly drive revenue, product improvement, and customer success, in particular:👉 Why in-person community events can unlock deeper insights than any dashboard.👉 How Fiverr fast-tracks top freelancers and grows revenue with community.👉 Why sales and community teams should work together, not separately.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Pauline Sumowski, a community strategist with over 7 years of practical experience, who definitely knows how to turn engagement into real business impact after successfully scaling the community at Brigad to over 20K members and delivering 250+ events, and now continues her journey as the Global Community and Partnerships Lead at Fiverr growing the freelance economy, and founder of WeTalk community, empowering women and non-binary people in hospitality to express their voices!Together, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Pauline and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-sumowski/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Pauline Sumowski(01:14) Why in-person meetups(03:01) Measuring meetup ROI(05:56) Turning members into advocates(09:17) Defining community and goals(12:46) Level Up program case study(17:14) Finding real member needs(21:24) Cross-team collaboration(27:59) Internal visibility and reporting(31:05) Tech stack and AI tools(36:11) Proving ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“The leaders who embrace community today will shape the businesses of tomorrow.”In this episode, we discussed how leaders can turn community from a feel-good idea into a measurable business strategy that drives growth, trust, and long-term competitive advantage, in particular:👉 Why community is not a marketing tactic but a leadership strategy.👉 The ADAPT model: Authenticity, Decision, Agility, Purpose, and Trust.👉 How to transform your business by adopting a community-first mindset.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Chris Catania, an award-winning community professional with over two decades of experience and author of The Community-First Advantage who is totally sure that building a genuine and strategic online community is like preparing a fine meal: you can't microwave itTogether, we're connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Chris and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophercatania/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Chris Catania(01:29) Why This Book Now(06:19) Leaders And Builders Gap(10:03) Belief Before Business ROI(14:56) ADAPT Model Breakdown(21:11) Evolving The Leader Pitch(24:43) Storytelling for Executives(25:48) From Inspiration to Action(27:15) Lego and the Long Game(28:52) Neuroscience of Community(32:56) Hardest Chapters to Write(37:56) Writing with the Community(39:17) Community and AI Trust(46:16) Key Takeaway and Legacy#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Businesses that stay close to their customers will always outgrow those chasing them.”In this episode, we discussed how community-driven strategies, nearbound marketing, and authentic human connections can transform how companies grow and build trust with their customers, in particular:👉 What nearbound marketing is and why communities play a key role in it.👉 How community insights can reshape product positioning and messaging.👉 A simple but powerful method to start measuring community ROI.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Paul Jones, a nearbound marketing pioneer and founder of Bridgio, where he helps b2b brands replace outdated inbound and outbound tactics with community-driven growth and build authentic connections that drive revenue, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Paul and Yurii on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljones101/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Paul Jones(01:14) What's Nearbound Marketing(03:56) Connection Over Content(06:47) Community Goes Mainstream(10:01) Defining Real Community(14:36) Business Community Chemistry(17:08) Recruiting The Right Members(20:01) Finding Relationship First People(23:19) Abundance Mindset Wins(27:35) Why Community ROI Differs(29:54) Trust Then Demand Gen(31:45) First Steps Build Community(35:47) Community Shapes Messaging(38:58) Simple ROI Attribution Tag#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“ROI becomes clear when you stop measuring vibes and start measuring outcomes.”In this episode, we discussed how community leaders can connect community initiatives to measurable business outcomes by designing programs, engagement, and reporting that ladder up to company OKRs instead of vanity metrics, in particular:👉 Why community ROI starts with company OKRs, not engagement metrics.👉 How community influences network growth through referrals and advocacy.👉 Why segmentation is key to delivering relevant, goal-aligned engagement at scale.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Ruthie Berber, a community builder with over 13 years of experience, collaborator, and advocate for women and wellness who believes community is how businesses grow, and builds communities that actually move the business: from scaling community from 0 to 1 at Yotpo to leading a 18K+ provider network at Grow Therapy, and more, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Ruthie and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthieberber/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Ruthie Berber(01:12) Do Builders Need Builders(02:11) Defining Community Value(03:46) Community Goals to Business(05:57) Growth Through Advocacy(08:10) Learning Provider Needs(10:07) Tracking Referrals(11:57) AI Adoption Goal(15:10) Making AI Feel Safe(17:52) AI for Community Ops(21:28) Community Tech Stack(24:10) Ruthie's Tool Stack(25:13) Tools to Replace and Try(26:11) Key Cross Functional Partners(27:34) Making Community Easy to Use(30:23) Internal Calendars and Requests(32:12) Segmentation and Targeting(33:32) Onboarding and Events Engine(35:16) Engaging Lurkers and Rituals(37:45) Engagement Tied to Business(40:16) Proving ROI with OKRs#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Friction kills engagement, and Slack removes friction—people are there from 9 to 5 anyway.”In this episode, we discussed how to directly tie community goals to revenue, retention, and growth, and how the right systems, data, and platform choices make that connection measurable and scalable, in particular:👉 How community acts as a multiplier across sales, marketing, and customer success.👉 The importance of internal community before external success.👉 How to reverse-engineer community strategy from revenue targets.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Zach Hawtof, an occasional CEO at Tightknit, a community platform for businesses that run their communities on Slack, who clearly proves right all those community builders who keep saying that Slack is a great place for a community, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Zach and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhawtof/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Zach Hawtof(01:12) What Is a “Community for Business”? (02:20) Where Community Creates Real Business Value(04:05) Why Build on Slack?(06:48) Pros & Cons of Slack Communities(09:14) Why Forums Win in the LLM Era(11:38) AI’s Impact on Communities(14:22) Bots, “Digital Twins,” and Verifying Real Humans in Slack(18:16) Community Goals Must Tie to Business Goals(20:33) Working Backwards from Business Targets(24:13) Tie Community Activity to Business Goals with Analytics(26:07) Getting Community Data into Salesforce/CRM(27:52) Winning Stakeholders(31:21) Tool Stack for Community Builders(33:58) Gamification That Builds Loyalty(39:04) Proving Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community is long-term revenue built on long-term relationships.”In this episode, we discussed how to turn community from a “nice-to-have” into a strategic business growth engine by aligning member value, internal collaboration, and measurable impact, in particular:👉 The balance between business needs and member value (the 50/50 rule).👉 Why one active member can have a massive business impact.👉 How to prove community ROI when you can’t tie it directly to revenue.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Céline Riemenschneider, a marketing and community consultant and strategist who turns engagement into real business impact, former community leader at Canva and Yelp, a winner of a CMX Community Leader award, and the Founder and Head of Community at The Chefs Community, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Celine and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/celineriemenschneider/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Céline Riemenschneider(01:08) Defining Community for Business(02:05) Aligning Community Goals with Business Goals(04:14) Inspiring Community Engagement(06:50) Balancing Business and Community Needs(08:32) Empathy in Community Management(15:27) Collaborating with Internal Teams(24:04) Handling Community Challenges(28:14) Leveraging Technology in Community Building(32:43) Measuring Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“If you build a community to chase business goals, it will die. If you build a community to care about people, business goals follow naturally."In this episode, we discussed how caring for people first can unlock stronger business results through community, in particular:👉 Why a community built for people outperforms a community built for KPIs.👉 How to convince executives through human stories and hard metrics.👉 Why aligning purpose and profit is the future of business.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Nuri Demirci Lopez, a founder of a digital twin AI startup, published author, and an ex-Principal Program Manager at Microsoft who has built a global, community-driven workforce spanning 70+ countries and hundreds of freelancers, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Nuri and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nuri-demirci-lopez/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Nuri Demirci Lopez(01:39) Building a Freelance Community at Microsoft(06:13) The Concept of Flat Organizations(12:52) Starting Small and Growing Big(19:07) Supporting Community Leaders(23:13) Introduction to Leadership and Community(24:07) Building Stronger Systems Through Inspiration(26:13) The Importance of Low Attrition and High Satisfaction(27:48) Global Community Activities and Social Good(31:08) Heartfelt Stories of Community Impact(38:04) Ensuring Community Touches Both Humans and Business#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“We don’t work in community for altruistic reasons–we work to create real impact.”In this episode, we discussed how to turn community from “nice to have” into a measurable growth engine that directly supports business goals, in particular:👉 How to align community strategy with company-wide objectives.👉 Why community builders must understand revenue and cost-saving mechanics.👉 Why community ROI is a long-term game (and how to sell it internally).Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Joshua Zerkel, a community-led growth and engagement leader with over 20 years of experience designing, building, scaling, and transforming community programs for b2b, b2c, b2c2b, and nonprofit organizations, who truly believes that community isn’t just vibes, it’s GTM, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Joshua and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuazerkel/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Joshua Zerkel(02:06) Setting and Achieving Community Goals(03:21) Connecting Community Activities to Business Results(07:59) The Importance of Internal Stakeholders(09:21) Building Confidence Through Community(13:00) Creating and Sharing Community Use Cases(20:19) Presenting Community Insights to Stakeholders(22:49) Top Teams Impacted by Community(25:16) Connecting Community with Product Teams(26:31) The Importance of Customer Success(29:27) Balancing Short-Term Wins and Long-Term Goals(32:48) Addressing Community Challenges with Leadership(36:02) Choosing the Right Community Tech Stack(40:13) Leveraging AI in Community Building(42:25) Identifying Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"If you don’t want to be a member of your own community, don’t build one."In this episode, we discussed how a creator turned personal need for learning and connection into a thriving, paid global community, in particular:👉 Why community should be built for belonging, not branding.👉 How paid communities increase accountability and engagement.👉 What creators must know before starting a community.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Kaelyn Grace Apple, an educational content creator, who turned her own academic journey into a beacon for over 250K of aspiring scholars worldwide, and the co-founder of Accepted Society, a global community helping educators, students, and researchers navigate academia and build meaningful careers, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Kaelyn and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaelyngraceapple/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Kaelyn Grace Apple(01:21) Defining Community in a Creator Business(04:05) The Birth of Accepted Society(07:27) Building and Growing the Community(13:47) Programs, Habits, and Rituals in the Community(18:13) Strategy and Long-Term Retention(28:44) Onboarding and Member Experience(29:45) Immediate Connection and Study Sessions(30:14) Onboarding Process and Messaging(33:39) Paid vs Free Communities(37:28) Choosing the Right Platform(44:21) Community Growth and Sustainability(49:51) Advice for Creators#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“If people feel safe enough to ask questions, you've already won half the battle.”In this episode, we discussed how to align community strategy with business objectives, drive real ROI, and empower customers through human connection and intelligent design, in particular:👉 Why case deflection still matters, and what to measure beyond posts and replies.👉 How to empower customers to contribute, even if they’re not answering each other’s questions.👉 How community accelerates product, engineering, CX, and marketing when collaboration flows.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jillian Bejtlich, a true community nerd in the best possible way — a quirky techie fueled by curiosity, grounded in data, and unafraid of a little chaos, who's built communities everywhere from Autodesk and BAE Systems to Zapier and Calendly, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jillian and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianbejtlich/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Jillian Bejtlich(01:14) Defining Community for Business(02:30) When a Company Doesn't Need a Community(05:02) Aligning Community Goals with Business Objectives(08:34) Unique Use Cases of Calendly(13:40) Encouraging Community Member Interaction(16:56) Motivating Community Members(19:39) Challenges in Community Building(21:30) Collaborating with Other Teams(23:26) The Role of Community in Different Departments(26:25) Communicating Community Impact to Management(34:10) Using AI in Community Building(38:05) Identifying Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community is a bridge between what the product promises and what the user is trying to achieve.”In this episode, we discussed how to align community goals with company goals, how to identify whether a community should exist at all, and how community can influence product, adoption, brand, and retention, in particular:👉 Why early community goals should mirror product goals and user needs.👉 How open-source communities build tight feedback loops and product influence.👉 Role of community in product adoption, retention, and shaping roadmap direction.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Esther Trapadoux, a b2b growth marketer turned community builder, from leading community at Amplitude to now heading it at Zed Industries, who loves truth, data, and people who dig deep for real answers, and who is on a mission to make community a core growth engine, not just a side project, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Esther and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-kim-trapadoux/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community comes before business—your people existed long before your product ever did."In this episode, we discussed how mission-driven organizations can align community and business goals by uncovering cultural truth, leading with authentic narrative, and building sustainable community strategies rooted in human connection, in particular:👉 Why communities exist before any product, service, or organization.👉 How nonprofits can measure impact without relying on traditional profit-based metrics.👉 How to involve community members through values-led invitations.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jeannie Smith, a narrative strategist and organizational ethnographer who’s spent 12+ years, from anthropology to nonprofit storytelling, helping mission-driven teams discover their authentic identity, find their fire, and build communities around it, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jeannie and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsmith40/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Jeannie Smith(01:05) Defining Community for Business(04:07) Community Goals and Business Integration(06:44) Marketing vs. Community Building(09:44) Mission-Driven Organizations and Community Impact(14:26) Sustainability in Non-Profit Organizations(18:45) Prioritizing Programs and Initiatives(23:03) Balancing Vision and Collaboration(25:13) The Power of Vulnerability and Asking for Help(27:42) Engaging Stakeholders with Values(31:08) The Art of Storytelling in Community Building(36:15) Emotional Connection in Fundraising#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community ROI begins when people feel seen, not sold to.”In this episode, we discussed how emotional connection, storytelling, and cross-team collaboration turn communities from “nice-to-have” into business growth engines, in particular:👉 How emotional storytelling can reduce churn and boost product adoption.👉 Why community should be a culture, not a function, within every company.👉 Three core questions to redefine your community’s ROI today.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Tony Kershaw, a community strategist with over a decade of experience spanning tech, education, nonprofit, and CPG, who led community transformations for brands like Stride, Levels.fyi, Catch Co., and General Assembly, proving that great communities don’t just connect people, they drive results, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Tony and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonykershaw1/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Tony Kershaw: Community Strategist(01:13) Defining Community for Business(05:58) Community Goals and Business Alignment(09:48) Inspiring Community Success Stories(20:06) Building a Welcoming Community Culture(24:13) Internal Community Collaboration(33:24) The Role of AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“A true community lives where business needs and human needs overlap.”In this episode, we discussed how to align community strategy with business outcomes—from growth and engagement to real impact—and why thriving users mean thriving companies, in particular:👉 How to connect community goals directly to your company’s business objectives.👉 Lessons from Airbnb, Wix, and ClassDojo on turning communities into business drivers.👉 How to align community with product, marketing, and customer success teams.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Ashley Gallman Williams, a strong community professional with over 15 years of experience scaling programs at companies like Wix, Airbnb, ClassDojo, and now Stripe, she’s built global communities that empower people to connect, collaborate, and thrive: from launching ambassador networks to leading international teams across 90+ countries, she’s proven that when people come together with purpose, extraordinary things happen, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Ashley and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleygallmanwilliams/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Ashley Williams(01:17) Defining Community for Business(02:16) Setting Community Goals(04:37) Balancing Growth and Quality(05:47) Inspiring Community Goals at Stripe(10:28) Motivating Community Builders(16:58) Pros and Cons of Building Community for Established Companies(19:36) Startup Challenges and Risks(20:11) Key Teams in Community Building(22:20) Managing Stakeholders and Communication(23:38) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(26:25) Effective Community Updates and Storytelling(29:12) Handling Community Challenges and Feedback(33:51) Using AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Every conversation you have with a customer is a data point with a heartbeat.”In this episode, we discussed how to align community and business goals through cross-functional collaboration, customer insight, and storytelling to drive measurable impact, in particular:👉 The real difference between community and audience, and why it matters.👉 Turning community insights into measurable business impact.👉 How communities act as a “sonar” for customer feedback and innovation.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Brian Kling, a community strategy leader who’s built award-winning B2B communities at Autodesk, STMicroelectronics, and Align Technology, and is passionate about customer-focused innovation and driving business impact through data, creativity, and people, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Brian and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/klingbrian/ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Brian Kling(00:49) Defining Community for Business(02:13) Real-World Example of Community Impact(04:36) Connecting Community Goals with Business Goals(09:53) Strategies for Engaging Advocates(14:35) Collaborating with Key Teams(18:42) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(23:01) Building Internal Community Connections(26:24) Challenges in Larger Organizations(27:49) Leveraging AI in Community Building(30:15) Identifying Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“You have to be the advocate for your advocates, or nothing happens."In this episode, we discussed how authentic relationships, active listening, and internal collaboration helped Grammarly connect its ambassador community directly to product growth, feedback, and brand advocacy, in particular:👉 How Grammarly built a thriving ambassador community from scratch.👉 The power of listening and how to turn feedback into impact.👉 How to align with product, marketing, and content teams for business impact.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Emma Wyatt, a senior community and customer advocacy leader with a ton of expertise in social listening, customer experience, and creative campaign design, who's proven how powerful authentic word-of-mouth can be by building The Grammarly Collective a thriving ambassador community of more than 600 members from the ground up, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Emma and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-wyatt-1b5aa466/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Emma Wyatt: Community and Customer Advocacy Leader(01:27) Defining Community for Business(02:16) The Role of Community in Customer Support(05:26) Engaging and Nurturing Community Advocates(07:44) Building Relationships with Community Members(14:28) Collaborating with Internal Teams(20:15) Challenges and Solutions in Community Management(24:48) Leveraging AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“A community of practice is the glue that holds everything together in a business. It fills the gaps that organizational structures can’t, and that’s where people actually become more effective.”In this episode, we discussed how communities of practice connect human collaboration with business growth, and the practical ways to align goals, measure impact, and keep people engaged, in particular:👉 Why communities of practice act as the “glue” holding organizations together.👉 How social learning creates shared ownership and fresh energy in communities.👉 How to define and measure community ROI using immediate, potential, applied, and realized value.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Drew Pontikis, a true champion of collaboration and growth, passionate about coaching and helping people flourish who has built thriving Communities of Practice at PwC UK and beyond, and also organizing the Ministry of Testing meetups in Peterborough, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Drew and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-pontikis-21aab060/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Drew Pontikis(01:02) Defining Community for Business(02:09) Understanding Communities of Practice(05:47) The Importance of Community Goals(07:48) Motivating Community Members(12:58) The Role of a Community Leader(22:35) Measuring Community Impact(28:10) Handling Community Challenges#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Retention is proof your community is working, even if it's quiet.”In this episode, we discussed how to tie community goals to business strategy through member retention, smart metrics, cross-team collaboration, and human insight, in particular:👉 Going beyond vanity metrics to find meaningful value.👉 Engaging lurkers and gathering hidden insights.👉 Turning passive marketing messages into active community conversations.👉 Why less visible activity doesn't always mean less value.👉 How AI can support (but not replace) human community sense.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Luke Zimmer, the founder of Skariphos Consulting, where he, with a background in journalism, anthropology, and nearly a decade in the nonprofit world, brings both strategy and heart to community building and helps nonprofits and associations build inclusive, deeply-engaged online communities! Connect with Luke and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lthzimmer/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Luke Zimmer(01:40) What is a Community for Business?(04:33) Defining Community Goals(05:41) Measuring Community Impact(07:19) Retention as a Community Goal(09:10) Qualitative vs. Quantitative Community Insights(14:17) Engaging Lurkers and Less Active Members(16:01) Community Activity Benchmarks(18:19) Internal Teams & Community Impact(21:29) Membership, Marketing, and IT Teams(25:06) Community as a Horizontal Team(27:19) Building Relationships with Other Teams(29:18) Discussing Challenges & Bad News(31:03) Using AI in Community Building(34:50) Identifying Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Your community goals should be so clear you can explain them in less than 30 seconds, even to your parents.”In this episode, we discussed how to connect community goals with business goals to drive adoption, retention, and long-term business impact, in particular:👉 How clear, simple community goals drive KPIs and decision-making.👉 The importance of onboarding and surveying users early to shape their journey.👉 Practical steps to drive product adoption and customer retention through community.👉 How to collaborate effectively with Product, Marketing, and Customer Success teams.👉 Where AI can help community managers, and where only a human connection works.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Meghan Bates, a “passionate but practical” brain in the B2B SaaS community world with prior experience at Tableau, Salesforce, Mural, and Personify, a strategist, restorer, and synthesizer who believes in leaving everything better than she found it and an expert with sharp customer insights, gift for storytelling, and unwavering dedication to building thriving communities, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Meghan and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanbateslinkedin/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Meghan Bates: B2B SaaS Community Expert(01:18) Defining Community and Its Goals(03:49) Community Goals and Business Alignment(06:38) Building and Measuring Community Success(13:16) Cross-Functional Collaboration in Community Building(20:40) Challenges and Solutions in Community Management(23:06) The Role of AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Your super users are mini-influencers — invest in them like you mean it.”In this episode, we discussed how to bridge community and business goals, using real-life strategies, data, and programs that turn super users into powerful advocates for growth, in particular:👉 Why community engagement alone isn't enough.👉 Which 3 internal teams are critical to community collaboration.👉 How to use storytelling and data to showcase community ROI.👉 Using AI tools to streamline community management and strategy.👉 One actionable step to start measuring your community’s ROI today.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jen Hanley, an award-winning community builder and growth strategist, who's led everything from intimate founder gatherings to large-scale conferences, built developer ecosystems for global giants, and helped Fortune 500 partners scale learning communities with precision, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jen and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jendurkee/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Jen Hanley: Community Builder and Growth Strategist(01:12) Defining Community and Community Goals(02:32) Marrying Engagement with Business Results(04:34) The AI Fellows Program at MOVE Works(07:40) Super Users and Their Importance(12:04) Cross-Functional Collaboration in Community Building(20:57) Challenges and Solutions in Community Management(22:31) Leveraging AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community isn’t something extra. At our company, community is the business.”In this episode, we discussed how to align community and business goals by treating community as a support function for internal teams, leveraging stories and data to prove ROI, and designing with empathy, especially in emotionally sensitive communities, in particular:👉 How to turn feedback loops into community-led product insights.👉 How a safe space mindset empowers deeply vulnerable user groups.👉 Practical scorecard system to align with company OKRs.👉 How to build trust with internal teams without adding to their workload.👉 Powerful use cases for AI in community, from member matchmaking to ideation.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Nicola Earle, a mission-led community builder and radiant connector who turns conversations into collaborations, and brings warmth, empathy, and a generalist’s magic to every relationship, making impact feel effortless and joyfully human, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Nicola and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-ruth-earle/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Nicola Earle(01:10) Defining Community for Business(01:57) Community Goals and Their Impact(02:29) Mobilize: Supporting Unpaid Carers(03:44) Aligning Community Goals with Business Goals(10:00) Collaborating with Other Teams(12:54) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(16:52) Sharing Community Impact and Stories(20:41) Using AI in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"If your users carry your community with them from job to job, you’ve built something unforgettable."In this episode, we discussed how community initiatives, when aligned with business goals, not only drive measurable results but also elevate customer relationships, influence product development, and shape careers, in particular:👉 Why companies should want customers talking to each other.👉 The hidden value of “lurkers” and why you don’t always need visible engagement.👉 Community managers as cross-functional internal connectors.👉 Building relationships with other departments through shared goals.👉 Simple ways to make your community’s value visible across the business.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Nicole Saunders, who's spent over 15 years helping B2B tech companies build stronger connections with their customers through community, customer advocacy, and marketing, from leading community at Zendesk to founding CXN Consulting, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Nicole and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledsaunders/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Nicole Saunders(01:12) Defining Community for Business(03:13) Benefits of Customer Conversations(10:23) Community Goals and Business Alignment(15:36) Measuring Community Impact(21:01) Balancing Scalable and Personal Actions(23:01) Collaborating with Key Teams(25:32) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(29:16) Showcasing Community Impact(33:35) Measuring Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“If your customers go quiet, something’s broken. Silence can be a sign of lost trust.”In this episode, we discussed how trust, cross-functional partnerships, case deflection, product adoption, and storytelling can be the foundation of demonstrating community ROI, in particular:👉 Why community is “relationships at scale”, not just engagement.👉 Why trust is the foundation of impactful communities.👉 How to build programs that solve customer problems and meet business KPIs.👉 Examples of aligning with marketing, support, and product teams.👉 How to bring visibility to community value across the company.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Nikki Thibodeau, an amazing community expert, strategist, and leader, was Shopify's first Senior Community Strategist to help scale their efforts across a 10,000+ person organization and for over 2 million merchants, and the founder of the one and only The Community Community, an extra special safe and trusted space for senior community builders, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Nikki and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki2987/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Nikki Thibodeau(01:17) Defining Community for Business(02:14) Community Goals and Business Alignment(03:03) Strategies for Customer Engagement(08:28) Building Trust with Customers(13:23) Collaborating with Other Teams(20:19) Measuring Community Impact(22:34) Challenges and Transparency in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"When you give people the feature they asked for, and bring them into the room to shape it—it’s magic."In this episode, we discussed how to turn community from a feel-good add-on into a core growth engine, in particular:👉 How community goals bridge business needs with member value.👉 Turning community members into testers, feedback loops, and advocates.👉 How to improve retention and reduce feature misfires.👉 The key to internal collaboration.👉 How teams benefit in measurable ways from strong community ties.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Avital Knoller, a community and collaboration specialist passionate about empowering organizations to build strong, collaborative communities that drive positive change in the world, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Avital and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/avital-knoller-205784112/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Avital Knoller(00:59) Defining Community and Community Goals(02:25) Community Goals in Action(06:46) Collaborating with Different Teams(10:42) Measuring Community Success(19:55) Addressing Community Challenges(22:00) Final Thoughts and Recommendations#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Internal teams need to see that community can help them win too."In this episode, we discussed how to strategically align community goals with business objectives to drive sustainable impact, build internal alliances, and foster meaningful human connection, in particular:👉 Why not every company needs a community.👉 How to measure community success using both data and emotional feedback.👉 Practical tips for encouraging cross-team collaboration without adding extra workload.👉 How to speak the language of both community and business leaders.👉 Why great community work often feels invisible, but drives massive business value.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Marjorie Anderson, a seasoned global community strategist and a passionate DEIB advocate who has spent over two decades turning online spaces into thriving ecosystems of connection and impact, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Marjorie and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-anderson-she-her/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Marjorie Anderson: Community Strategist and DEIB Advocate(01:26) Defining Community for Business(03:19) Does Every Company Need a Community?(06:12) The Purpose and Goals of a Community(07:23) Case Study: Health and Wellbeing Community at EXOS(13:19) Measuring Community Impact(18:56) Collaborating with Internal Teams(22:26) The Importance of Candid Conversations(24:50) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(29:27) Tracking Community Impact on Business(34:52) Overcoming Community Challenges(38:20) Reframing ROI as Return on Impact#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“You can’t strategize your way through a $20 million funnel without talking to real people first.”In this episode, we discussed how translating between “community language” and “executive language” unlocks collaboration, trust, and revenue: from reducing CAC to generating SQLs through authentic relationships and the human psychology behind successful community-driven business growth, in particular:👉 Real power of language in breaking down barriers between founders, VCs, and internal stakeholders.👉 Role of community as a “cheat code” to reduce CAC, lower churn, and increase LTV.👉 Why do you need to balance business intuition with human empathy to define community goals.👉 How internal community champions can bridge the gap across content, marketing, sales, and growth.👉 Framework for tracking community-driven outcomes and translating them into measurable business value.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jeanine Suah, a community-driven go-to-market and growth partner to fast-moving teams, CEO and co-founder at Bridg where she turns B2B brands into customer obsessions and turns that obsession into ROI, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jeanine and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaninesuah/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Jeanine Suah: Community-Driven Growth Expert(01:17) Defining Community and Community Goals(04:35) The Power of Language in Community Building(07:03) Bridging the Gap Between Community and Business(12:04) Community's Role in Reducing CAC and Increasing LTV(16:57) Challenges and Solutions in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Community should be the horizontal layer that fuels every part of the business.”In this episode, we discussed how to connect community goals with business goals to create tangible business outcomes, secure executive buy-in, and maximize both internal alignment and external value — all while nurturing thriving, advocate-driven ecosystems, in particular:👉 How to align community efforts with measurable business KPIs.👉 Understand where community teams fit within company org structures.👉 How communities can help support, success, and marketing teams.👉 How brand advocates become a secret growth engine for your business.👉 How to communicate community ROI using CRM integration.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Dani Weinstein, a seasoned community strategy executive who’s transformed ecosystems at companies like HP, SAP, and Domo driving customer success, advocacy, and measurable ROI through global community programs that truly move the needle, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Dani and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniweinstein/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Dani Weinstein: Community Strategy Expert(01:09) Defining Community Goals(01:57) The Value of Executive Sponsorship(02:46) Community's Role Across Business Verticals(05:30) Creating Super Fans and Brand Advocates(09:18) Engaging and Recognizing Community Members(17:37) Connecting Community Data to CRM(21:53) Encouraging Cross-Team Collaboration(27:43) Measuring and Communicating Community ROI#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Our reputation as a community-driven organization was our greatest sales tool.”In this episode, we discussed how communities drive business growth by turning meaningful connections into conversions through strategic alignment of community and business goals, in particular:👉 Why community should act as a horizontal layer across all company departments.👉 How storytelling and anecdotal wins can help prove the ROI of the community.👉 The key challenges of building community across digital and hybrid spaces.👉 How to encourage other teams to adopt a community mindset.👉 A strategy to map your community goals to your business goals.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Barry McDonald, a community growth expert skilled in building relationships and networks who empowers founders to scale with purpose, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Barry and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-mcdonald-05964929/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Barry McDonald(00:52) Defining Community Goals(02:25) The Power of Connections(04:25) Driving Business Goals Through Community(06:03) Becoming a Super Connector(09:50) Collaborating Across Teams(15:14) Measuring Community Success(20:45) Challenges in Community Building#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"The key to proving community ROI is treating it like any other business function—track metrics, show impact, and align with company priorities."In this episode, we discussed actionable strategies for aligning community efforts with business growth and creating meaningful relationships across different departments, in particular:👉 How to align community initiatives with company-wide KPIs.👉 The key differences between marketing and community.👉 How a community team collaborates with other teams.👉 The role of storytelling in demonstrating the business impact of community.👉 How to engage internal stakeholders.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Christopher Detzel, a community leader with over 15 years of experience building and nurturing thriving technical communities, driving data-driven strategies, and fostering executive engagement to enhance user engagement and drive business growth, and co-founder of Peers Over Beers - a podcast about online communities, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Christopher and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdetzel/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Christopher Detzel(02:03) Achieving Community Goals: A Case Study(05:14) Marketing vs. Community: Understanding the Differences(06:50) Collaborating with Different Teams(13:31) Bringing Visibility to Community Impact(18:51) Addressing Community Challenges#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“A thriving internal community isn’t about forcing engagement; it’s about making engagement valuable.”In this episode, we discussed practical frameworks for measuring success, setting the right expectations, and designing community initiatives that serve both the members and the organization, in particular:👉 How community engagement can drive business KPIs.👉 Difference between grassroots and strategic internal communities.👉 Setting the right expectations to maintain long-term participation.👉 Role of leadership buy-in and how to secure executive support.👉 Why co-creation is the key to sustaining an internal community.Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Anamaria Dorgo, learning and community consultant, founder, and community catalyst at L&D Shakers, a global community of practice for over 7,000+ learning and development professionals, who helps strategize, design, and facilitate participatory experiences for individuals, teams, and companies with her Handle with Brain business, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Anamaria and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamariadorgo/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Anamaria Dorgo(01:08) Defining Community Goals and Purpose(01:55) Case Study: L&D Shakers Community(04:02) Retail Learning and Development: A Success Story(07:09) Challenges and Solutions in Community Building(16:33) Measuring Community Impact and ROI(25:06) Collaboration with Other Teams(28:26) Addressing Community Building Challenges#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"A great community doesn’t just support its members—it amplifies business goals without feeling transactional."In this episode, we discussed how to strategically align community goals with business objectives to drive growth, engagement, and long-term success, in particular:👉 How community goals differ from other teams' goals.👉 Key metrics of community impact.👉 Community team as a bridge between departments.👉 Tying community initiatives to company goals.👉 How events drive engagement and create organic case studies.JoinYurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, andEce Kurtaraner, a community operations and events consultant, strategist, and community operations queen in Generalist World, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth!Connect with Ece and Yurii on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecekurtaraner/https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/Timestamps:(00:00) Meet Ece Kurtaraner(00:44) Defining Community Goals(01:49) Case Study: Product-Based Community(03:27) Metrics and Measurements(05:36) Community Events and Engagement(11:19) Internal Collaboration and Advocacy(23:44) Challenges and Crisis Management#communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“Retention isn’t just about keeping people in the community—it’s about making sure they find value, so they keep coming back.” In this episode, we discussed how to leverage community engagement to drive retention, product adoption, and overall business success, in particular: 👉 The correlation between active community members and product usage. 👉 Which community metrics truly matter when measuring ROI. 👉 Why community members can be powerful contributors to product feedback. 👉 How to structure one-on-one community calls for deeper engagement. 👉 How different teams can leverage the community effectively. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Tiffany Oda, a skilled community professional with experience in companies such as Salesforce, Venafi, and Asana, co-founder of the "Community OPServations", who loves community and believes that no one is too senior to do a coffee run and that everyone has something they could learn, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Tiffany and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffeoda/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Tiffany Oda (01:04) Defining Community Goals (03:03) Measuring Community Impact on Retention (04:37) Creating Targeted Customer Journeys (05:49) Gathering and Utilizing Community Feedback (07:55) Structuring and Managing Community Calls (12:44) Planning for the Future of Community Engagement (17:54) Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams (29:35) Communicating Community Wins and Challenges #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Community engagement is powerful when it moves both the people and the business in the right direction." In this episode, we discussed how community teams can showcase their value and impact business success from measuring engagement metrics to collaborating across departments, in particular: 👉 How engagement metrics can directly influence business growth. 👉 Insights on collaborating with cross-functional teams to strengthen community impact 👉 Why data integration between community platforms and business systems is crucial. 👉 How to communicate community value to stakeholders and leadership teams. 👉 How continuous evaluation helps pivot community strategies for better results. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Katie Ryser, a community business & operations expert, who thrives on bringing people together and is the go-to person for connecting the dots between what a business wants to achieve and how to make it happen., in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Katie and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-z-ryser/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Katie Ryser (01:02) Defining Community Goals (02:01) Connecting Community Goals with Business Objectives (03:09) Engagement Metrics and Their Impact (04:11) Challenges in Connecting Community and Business Data (12:52) Collaborating with Different Teams (19:05) Reporting and Communicating Community Impact (22:33) Handling Challenges and Pivots in Community Management #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Every conversation in your community is a step toward customer satisfaction and business growth." In this episode, we discussed engaging internal teams in community activities to foster stronger relationships between staff and community members to drive engagement, retention, and revenue growth, in particular: 👉 The importance of internal engagement in community success. 👉 How to align team contributions with community objectives without overwhelming them. 👉 How to tailor engagement approaches for individual team members. 👉 The role of community engagement in reducing churn and increasing customer retention. 👉 Why storytelling is crucial for community growth. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Pat Cooney, a community engineer with over 20 years of experience in leadership and team management, web analytics and development, and training in e-commerce and digital communications for the corporate, non-profit, NGO, and political sectors, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Pat and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatpatguy/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Pat Cooney (01:26) Defining Community Goals (02:32) Increasing Engagement: Strategies and Challenges (04:21) The Art of Encouraging Staff Participation (13:45) Handling Community Issues and Bugs (16:48) Tracking Metrics and Reporting (20:45) Content Creation and Customer Workflows (28:44) Internal Collaboration and Impact #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Belonging isn’t just a feeling; it’s the secret sauce that keeps members engaged and businesses thriving." In this episode, we discussed the nuances of creating measurable outcomes for community initiatives, aligning them with organizational objectives, and fostering belonging as a core driver of community success and business impact, in particular: 👉 Actionable steps to connect community goals with business objectives. 👉 How to foster belonging in communities to boost engagement and revenue. 👉 Strategies for aligning community metrics with diverse organizational priorities. 👉 Insights on measuring community impact across different teams. 👉 Role of internal advocacy in spreading community thinking across teams and leadership. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Carrie Melissa Jones, a social science researcher and strategist who advocates for community building across organizations of all sizes and helps leaders strengthen their community foundations and the founder of the CMJ community of community professionals and coauthor of Building Brand Communities book, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Carrie and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriemelissajones/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Carrie Melissa Jones (01:20) Defining Community Goals (01:58) Community Goals vs. Business Goals (03:44) Measuring Sense of Belonging (06:29) Connecting Community to Business Growth (08:00) Practical Steps for Community Managers (16:18) Engaging Internal Teams (32:01) Overcoming Challenges in Community Building #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Your Head of Community is the glue that connects your business goals with the needs of your audience." In this episode, we discussed how communities serve as the lifeblood of modern brands, the strategic role of a Head of Community, and why community-driven approaches create loyalty, engagement, and exponential growth, in particular: 👉 The business difference between audiences and communities. 👉 Why the Head of Community is the most crucial hire for startups. 👉 How a community-first approach creates loyalty and drives business growth. 👉 How to measure community engagement and its impact on ROI. 👉 Why community building is a game-changer for startups. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Jake Hurwitz, founder of Thursday Labs, a new type of content company/production studio that helps founders and investors become thought leaders by producing a ton of valuable content and generating tens of millions for companies like POSH, Day One, Rove, Nifty Bridge, and many others, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Jake and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakehurwitz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Jake Hurwitz: Founder of Thursday Labs (01:15) Defining Community vs. Audience (02:58) The Role of Community in Business Structure (04:42) Community as a Competitive Advantage (07:04) The Decline of Traditional Communities and Rise of New Ones (08:15) The Importance of a Head of Community (13:27) Building Community for Business Success (16:12) Marketing vs. Community Building (19:13) The Role of Community in a Content Studio (22:52) Metrics for Community Growth (28:53) The Importance of Hosting Events (31:25) Companies Benefiting from Communities (34:21) Innovative Community Building Examples #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"The return on investment in community work isn’t just profit—it’s being seen as indispensable, the go-to for insight and connection." In this episode, we discussed how to build internal communities that engage employees, collaborate with multiple teams, and demonstrate ROI through tangible and intangible value, in particular: 👉 Strategies for creating safe and engaging internal communities. 👉 Importance of cross-functional partnerships for community success. 👉 Practical ways to report community ROI to executive teams. 👉 How to leverage community feedback for continuous improvement. 👉 Tips on building trust and inclusivity within employee communities. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Stephanie Nakano, a community expert who's left her heart at the intersection of technology and online communities for over 12 years, started her journey by leading communities for tech startups and who has been honing her skills in building engaged user-focused ecosystems ever since in such companies as FANDOM, Zapier, Coda, and Salesforce, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Stephanie and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieunakano/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Stephanie Nakano (00:59) Community Goals and Business (01:32) Importance of Internal Employee Connection (02:43) Understanding Internal Sentiment (03:21) Building Scalable Engagement (04:31) Ensuring Safe and Inclusive Spaces (08:50) Collaborating with Various Teams (19:03) Reporting Community Wins and ROI (21:23) Final Thoughts and Recommendations #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"People don't just stay for the product; they stay for the community, for feeling like they're part of something bigger than themselves." In this episode, we discussed how a community can drive measurable outcomes, including customer retention, cost savings, and enhanced brand engagement, in particular: 👉 How to connect community goals with six core business objectives. 👉 Practical strategies for using communities to retain customers and reduce costs. 👉 Examples of aligning community success with business growth. 👉 How to bring cross-functional teams into community building for maximum impact. 👉 Actionable advice on measuring community ROI and proving its business value. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Brian Oblinger, a seasoned community expert who's been in the online communities space since the 1990s from a content moderator to the Vice President of Customer Experience and Global Community and now helps worldwide brands engage their customers as a Community Strategic Consultant, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Brian and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianoblinger/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Brian Oblinger (01:32) Connecting Community to Business Outcomes (04:03) Understanding Business Priorities (06:35) Strategies for Customer Retention (10:08) Actions to Achieve Retention Goals (18:01) Working with Different Business Teams (19:42) Collaborative Community Building (20:44) Metrics for Community Impact (21:46) Engaging Cross-Functional Teams (24:42) Communicating Community Value (26:54) Handling Missed Goals and Planning (29:24) Setting Realistic Expectations #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

“To be the bridge between community and business, you need to listen deeply and guide the conversation with honesty and care.” In this episode, we discussed the crucial role of community leaders as facilitators who listen to both sides and build a thriving ecosystem where everyone benefits, in particular: 👉 How to define and align community and business goals. 👉 Value of community: from product feedback to user-generated content. 👉 How to build an ecosystem that nurtures both business growth and community success. 👉 The critical role of community in achieving long-term success. 👉 Why community professionals serve as the bridge between business and clients. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Corina Gheonea, a seasoned community professional with over 12 years of experience in community development and entrepreneurial environments, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Corina and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corina-gheonea/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Corina Gheonea (00:59) Defining Community Goals (02:13) Aligning Community and Business Objectives (04:41) Building a Thriving Community (05:21) Community Success Stories (10:40) Connecting Community and Business Goals (14:18) Collaborating with Other Teams (16:15) Measuring Community Impact (30:41) Overcoming Challenges in Community Building #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"The worst thing a community professional can do is sit in a room and define goals without aligning them with the business. It's all about making the community goals resonate with what the business already values." In this episode, we discussed why specificity is key, how to define objectives that drive measurable results, and the unique value communities can bring to business success, in particular: 👉 Why defining specific, measurable community goals is crucial for business success. 👉 How to align community objectives with overarching business goals. 👉 Difference between community goals and member objectives (specific member actions). 👉 How a community helps to improve customer onboarding and product engagement and reduce churn. 👉 How to prioritize and phase community goals over time as the community matures. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Richard Millington, the founder of FeverBee community consultancy, where he has helped to develop over 300 successful communities in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Richard and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-millington-5a32782/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Richard Millington (01:21) Defining Community Goals (02:34) Setting Specific Objectives (03:32) Aligning Community Goals with Business Goals (06:05) Understanding Unique Community Value (07:46) Measuring Community Success (08:44) Inspiring Community Goals (14:22) Evolving Community Goals (16:59) Collaborating with Different Teams (18:45) Practical Examples of Community Building (25:53) Strategies for Engaging Other Teams (28:21) The Power of Storytelling in Community Building (33:49) Challenges and Solutions in Community Management #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"To build a thriving community, you need to speak both the language of empathy and the language of ROI." In this episode, we discussed the importance of translating community initiatives into measurable business value while maintaining a human-centered approach, in particular: 👉 Practical steps for translating community success into business impact. 👉 The role of community builders in driving business growth. 👉 Insights into working with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals. 👉 The importance of building internal communities for long-term success. 👉 Emotional intelligence and empathy in community and business collaboration. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Shannon Emery, an experienced B2B SAAS community professional with a decade of hands-on experience in the tech space, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Shannon and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-m-emery/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Shannon Emery (01:13) Defining Community Goals (03:56) Aligning Community Goals with Business Goals (05:08) Speaking the Language of C-Level Executives (14:06) Collaborating with Different Teams (16:40) Solving Business Problems with Community (23:54) Aligning Community Efforts with Business Impact (27:17) Bringing Visibility to Community Impact (29:58) Addressing Challenges and Transparency (36:39) Identifying and Measuring Community ROI #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"To see the ROI of a community, think of the return on impact, not just investment. What’s the value of hope, support, and shared journeys?" In this episode, we discussed how community engagement leads to more funding, which in turn enables further community support and expansion, creating a sustainable growth model, in particular: 👉 Measuring community success in nonprofit settings without relying solely on surveys and feedback. 👉 How nonprofits can leverage community feedback for program development and better service delivery. 👉 Role of loyal community members in supporting nonprofit missions and fostering long-term stability. 👉 How increased community engagement can attract more sponsors and funding for nonprofit organizations. 👉 Connecting quality and quantity in nonprofit community building efforts. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Tim McDonald, a community strategist, storyteller, recovering marketer, and architect of humanity with more than a decade of community experience, and who was talking about community ROI long before it became mainstream, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Tim and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timamcdonald/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Tim McDonald (00:56) Defining Community Goals (01:45) Aligning Community and Business Goals (03:17) Measuring Community Impact (06:11) Balancing Quality and Quantity in Community Growth (10:56) The Role of Loyal Community Members (12:57) Starting a Community from Scratch (15:51) Collaborating with Other Teams (24:13) Handling Challenges and Delivering Bad News (28:20) The Value of Community ROI #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth

"Community isn't just about connection—it's about demonstrating real business impact and value, which is the key to long-term success." In this episode, we discussed how effectively integrating community initiatives with business strategies can lead to significant cost savings, drive growth, and enhance customer engagement, in particular: 👉 How to align community goals with business objectives to drive growth and ROI. 👉 Actionable strategies for assessing the impact of community initiatives. 👉 Importance of storytelling in showcasing community success to leadership. 👉 Building relationships across departments to ensure community efforts are visible. 👉 Leveraging community feedback for continuous business improvement. Join Yurii Lazaruk, the Community Consultant, and Chris Catania, an award-winning enterprise community-building expert with more than 20 years of experience, in connecting community goals with business goals to drive business growth! Connect with Chris and Yurii on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophercatania/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurii-lazaruk-community-consultant/ Timestamps: (00:00) Meet Chris Catania (00:57) Defining Community Goals (01:40) Connecting Community Goals with Business Goals (03:57) Building ROI Models for Community Impact (06:11) Community's Role in Cost Savings (08:46) Community's Role in Business Growth (13:00) Collaborating with Different Teams (26:23) Storytelling and Measuring Community Impact (30:41) Addressing Challenges and Negative Feedback #communityROI #communitybuilding #businessgrowth