Key insights

• Building Effective Communities: Focus on creating communities that align with business goals and enrich the employee experience.


• Engaging Employees: Explore methods to encourage active participation, enabling employees to share their expertise and ideas.


• Sharing Knowledge: Highlight the role of communities in disseminating knowledge, connecting individuals with experts, and fostering continuous learning.


• Supporting Diversity and Inclusion: Examine initiatives to cultivate diverse and inclusive community environments.


• Utilizing AI & Technology: Demonstrate how tools like Viva Engage and Copilot can enhance community management and boost employee engagement.


• Session Overview: Cover types of communities, getting started steps, driving engagement strategies, building knowledge through technology integration, and additional resources for further learning.

Microsoft's Viva Engage Masterclass: Week 2 - Community Management Overview

In the rapidly evolving digital workplace, community management has become a crucial aspect of organizational success. Microsoft's "Viva Engage Monday Masterclass" series aims to equip community managers with the necessary skills and tools to build and manage effective communities. The second week of this series, titled "Community Management Overview," focuses on the foundational aspects of community management. This session provides strategies to enhance employee engagement, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote diversity and inclusion. Let's delve into the key takeaways from this insightful session.

Understanding the Types of Communities

Communities within an organization can take various forms, each serving distinct purposes. Understanding these types is essential for community managers aiming to create impactful spaces. The session outlines several types of communities:

• Organizational Communities: These are designed to align with business goals and support overall organizational objectives.
• Support Communities: Focused on providing assistance and resources to employees, these communities foster a supportive environment.
• Communities of Practice: These groups bring together individuals with shared interests or expertise, promoting knowledge exchange and skill development.
• Diversity and Inclusion Communities: Aimed at fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, these communities encourage collaboration among employees from various backgrounds.
• Employee Interest Groups: These informal communities are centered around shared hobbies or interests, enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction.

By understanding these community types, managers can effectively create and configure communities within the Viva Engage platform, ensuring they meet specific organizational needs.

Getting Started with Community Management

Establishing a community requires careful planning and execution. The session provides a comprehensive checklist and tips for assembling a management team. Key steps include:

• Community Creation: Utilize Viva Engage to set up and configure your community, ensuring it aligns with organizational goals.
• Management Strategies: Develop strategies for managing the community, including scheduling posts, articles, and announcements.
• Content Moderation: Learn how to delete posts and manage content effectively to maintain a positive community environment.
• Community Campaigns: Set up campaigns to engage members and promote active participation.
• Bulk Upload Members: Simplify member management by bulk uploading users to the community.
• Pinning Conversations: Highlight important discussions by pinning them for easy access.

These foundational steps are crucial for setting up a successful community that fosters engagement and collaboration.

Driving Engagement and Participation

Engagement is a key factor in the success of any community. The session emphasizes the importance of developing an engagement plan and uncovering community management best practices. Here are some insights shared during the session:

• Engagement Plan: Develop a strategic plan to encourage active participation and meaningful interactions within the community.
• Community Manager Secrets: Learn from experienced community managers about best practices for fostering discussions and supporting employees.
• Analytics and Insights: Utilize analytics tools to monitor community activity and measure engagement levels.
• Town Halls and Live Events: Organize live events to facilitate real-time interactions and discussions among community members.

By implementing these strategies, community managers can create vibrant and engaging communities that contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Building Knowledge and Leveraging AI

Knowledge sharing is a vital component of community management. The session highlights how Viva Engage can support Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption and leverage AI to simplify community management. Key points include:

• Copilot Integration: Integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance knowledge accessibility and streamline workflows.
• Designating Community Experts: Identify and empower community experts to facilitate knowledge sharing and support.
• Managing Q&A: Utilize the Questions & Answers feature to address queries and provide valuable insights.
• Answers in Communities: Leverage the Answers feature to create a repository of knowledge within the community.

These tools and features enable community managers to build a knowledge-rich environment that supports continuous learning and growth.

Additional Resources and Insights

To further enhance understanding and expertise in community management, the session provides additional resources and insights. Participants are encouraged to explore these materials to deepen their knowledge:

• Best Practice Guide: Access Microsoft's best practice guide for community management to gain valuable tips and strategies.
• Customer Zero Insights: Learn from Customer Zero's experiences and insights to refine community management approaches.

By utilizing these resources, community managers can continue to develop their skills and make a significant impact within their organizations.

Conclusion

The "Viva Engage Monday Masterclass" series offers valuable insights and practical guidance for community managers looking to enhance their skills and build effective communities. By focusing on key areas such as community types, engagement strategies, knowledge sharing, and AI integration, participants can create thriving communities that foster collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning. As community managers embark on this journey, they will be better equipped to support their organizations' objectives and contribute to a more connected and engaged workforce.

For those interested in viewing the session, recordings are available on the Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel. By participating in this masterclass, community managers will gain valuable insights and tools to effectively manage and grow their communities within Viva Engage, ultimately contributing to a more connected and engaged workforce.

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