Community, community, community! - Newsletter #13

Welcome to Maven Musings! I'm thrilled to connect with you. Biweekly, we’ll discuss Global inclusivity, technology, women’s empowerment, and healthy workplace culture through my unique and joyful lens. Join me on a journey of inspiration, positivity, and creativity.

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our professional and personal lives, one constant remains: the power and importance of community. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, being part of a community provides the support, inspiration, and connection we all need. Today, I want to emphasize why community matters so profoundly and why we should all care about it.

In my 20+ years with Microsoft, particularly within the SharePoint, Microsoft 365 and Power Platform communities, I’ve seen firsthand how a robust and engaged community can drive success and innovation. As a Principal Program Manager on Engineering teams focused on community engagement and advocacy, I have a unique vantage point. By working closely with product teams, we can listen to and implement feedback directly from our community. This close connection to product development ensures that our users' voices aren't just heard—they shape the future of our products.

The Power of Listening

One of the unique aspects of our community-driven approach is its foundation in the partnership between engineering and marketing. This collaboration fosters a genuine understanding of what our users need and want. It's about listening rather than broadcasting, engaging rather than just delivering a message. This commitment to truly understanding and addressing the needs of our community is what makes our approach unique.

Community isn't just about external connections with customers; it's also about fostering a healthy internal community. When we break down the barriers between departments like marketing and engineering, we create an environment where everyone is on the same page. This collaboration ensures we deliver products that meet our users' needs based on direct feedback and real-world use cases.

Some of the most powerful moments in my career have been witnessing the impact of community feedback during conferences. Connections made between product teams and community members are golden. The community's input often leads to significant product changes, sometimes in mere weeks. These experiences reinforce my belief in the power of community: when users feel heard and see tangible results from their feedback, it creates a cycle of trust and continuous improvement.

The Power of Human 2 Human Connection

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly challenged our sense of community. We lost the in-person user group meetings, hackathons, bootcamps and the spontaneous connections that come with them. The digital fatigue is accurate; many of us have felt like we're shouting into the wind. However, this period has also highlighted the resilience and adaptability of our community. We've had to find new ways to connect, share ideas, and support one another. The move to virtual connection brought an inclusivity, reach and changes in working from home that now are part of the fabric of daily life. In-person interactions are back, and as we rebuild and strengthen our community, we're undertaking new projects to connect the dots more effectively.

CommunityDays.org, a community-created website, provides a centralized, supportive environment for gatherings to thrive. This initiative allows us to offer better support and more comprehensive programs while maintaining each event's independence and unique identity.

Our goal is to be supportive without being prescriptive. We want to enable community leaders to run their groups and skilling events in the way that best serves their members while also providing the resources and infrastructure they need to succeed. This balance ensures that our community remains vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.

Embracing Diversity in Community Participation

Everyone engages with the community in their unique way, and this diversity is what makes our community vibrant and dynamic. Whether you're a forum super user who provides detailed solutions to complex problems, a blogger who shares insights and tutorials, a speaker who inspires others at events, or someone active on social media driving conversations, there's a valuable place for you. Each mode of participation brings a different perspective, enriching the collective experience.

We celebrate this diversity and recognize that the variety of contributions strengthens our community. By encouraging everyone to find their niche and contribute in the way that suits them best, we create an inclusive environment where all voices are valued. This approach fosters individual growth and ensures that a wide range of expertise and viewpoints are represented.

Moreover, embracing diverse forms of participation helps address our community members' varied needs. Some may prefer in-depth technical discussions in forums, while others might seek inspiration and networking opportunities at events. By supporting all these avenues, we ensure that everyone can connect, share, and grow in a manner that resonates with them, ultimately building a stronger, more cohesive community.

Community News Desk 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Microsoft Community News Desk, a new area designed to keep you informed and connected with the latest developments, insights, and stories from across our community housed in the Microsoft Tech Community. The News Desk will serve as a central hub for news, updates, and features, highlighting the achievements and contributions of our diverse and dynamic community members. Whether it's technological breakthroughs, inspiring user stories, or upcoming events, the News Desk aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging resource for everyone involved with Microsoft.

The Microsoft Community News Desk is not just about delivering news; it's about fostering a more profound sense of connection and engagement within our community. By showcasing our members' incredible work and innovative ideas, we hope to inspire others and encourage more active participation. This platform will also offer community members opportunities to share their stories and insights, creating a richer, more interactive experience. We invite you to visit the News Desk regularly to stay current and see how you can contribute to and benefit from this exciting new venture. Please subscribe to the blog for notifications when new content is posted. 

New Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel

Our launch also includes expanding the already successful Microsoft 365 and Power Platform YouTube channel to serve even more parts of our community by renaming it Microsoft Community Learning. Subscribe to this channel – and don’t forget to turn on notifications – to get our weekly drops of skilling content, see all our community calls and learn from community members like yourselves.

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative

The Microsoft Global Community Initiative page: We are excited to introduce a new Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) page, a comprehensive program designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and engagement across our global community. The MGCI page has information for community members on joining. This initiative underscores Microsoft's commitment to supporting the vibrant, inclusive community that thrives on shared knowledge and collective growth.

Alongside the MGCI page, we are proud to unveil the MGCI Advisors page, featuring a distinguished panel of community leaders and experts who will provide guidance, support, and strategic direction to community initiatives. These advisors bring experience and diverse perspectives, ensuring our community's needs and aspirations are effectively addressed. Their insights will be invaluable in shaping the future of our global community efforts and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

In addition, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of sixty new MGCI Regional Leaders who will play a crucial role in strengthening our community at a local level. These leaders, representing various regions around the globe, will act as crucial connectors, advocates, and organizers, helping to drive engagement and support within their respective communities. Their leadership will ensure global initiatives resonate locally, creating a more cohesive and responsive community network. With the launch of these new pages and the appointment of our Regional Leaders, we are excited to better support community-led initiatives.

In conclusion, community is not just a buzzword—it is the foundation of everything. I believe that a dynamic, responsive, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive can be created by actively listening to members, offering unwavering support, and fostering genuine engagement. 

Together, we can create a space where innovation flourishes, connections are deepened, and everyone feels valued. Let’s make our collective journey one of continuous growth, shared success, and mutual support. All are welcome. 

Feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts on how we can continue strengthening our community. Let's keep the conversation going!