ForumCon 2014

1. The Lean Community
Simple Tactics for Building Thriving
Communities
@DavidSpinks

3. Community = Product

4. Steve Blank
Customer Development
Eric Ries
Lean Startup

6. Validated Learning

7. The 3 P’s
1. People
2. Problem
3. Platform

8. Start talking to people

9. The 5 Whys

10. “I’m looking for a Giants community” Why?
"I want to connect with other die hard Giants fans.” Why?
“I don't like the existing forums.” Why?
“Everyone just trolls. No one talks about strategy” Why?
“I keep stats on every game and want to compare ideas.” Why?
“It’s a hobby I do to relax after I get home from work.”

11. Add quantitative research

12. Minimum Viable Community
(MVC)

13. Start simple.

14. Is it working?

16. Membership

17. Membership
1. Boundaries

18. “ There are people who belong
and people who do not.”
– McMillan and Chavis
Boundaries

19. Membership
1. Boundaries
2. Emotional safety

20. “Boundaries provide the structure and
security that protect group intimacy.”
- McMillan and Chavis
Emotional Safety

21. Membership
1. Boundaries
2. Emotional safety
3. A sense of belonging and
identification

22. Belonging
and Identification
“The belief that one fits in the group, has
acceptance by the group, and a willingness to
sacrifice for the group.”
- McMillan and Chavis
.

23. Membership
1. Boundaries
2. Emotional safety
3. A sense of belonging and
identification
4. Personal investment

24. Personal Investment
“Working for membership will provide a feeling
that one has earned a place in the group and as
a consequence, membership will be more
meaningful and valuable.”
- McMillan and Chavis
.

25. Membership
1. Boundaries
2. Emotional safety
3. A sense of belonging and
identification
4. Personal investment
5. A common symbol system

26. Common
Symbol System
“Groups use these social conventions (e.g., rites
of passage, language, dress) intentionally…to
create social distance between members and
nonmembers.”
- McMillan and Chavis

27. Influence
Fulfillment of Needs
Shared Emotional
Connection

28. Pivot or Persevere

29. Community as a Business

30. Thank you!
@DavidSpinks
http://cmxhub.com
David@cmxhub.com