I was privileged to be on the judging panel for the category of Social & Collaborative Solution for LPI Awards. The DPG Community was a worthy winner of the Silver Award so congratulations to everyone for creating and sustaining such a vibrant and interesting Community.
I am always keen to hear more about what works for members of online communities - what makes it a useful and attractive place for community members, so any comments would be very interesting.
Comments
Hi All,
Just like everyone else, I'm delighted that this community has scooped the Silver award. I wonder what we're all going to be doing towards reaching the gold next year!
One of the things I like about the L&D community is that you're never alone in your thinking. L&D can be a lonely place at times. Before you get your violins out for me, I don't mean that I'm working on my own or don't have any friends where I work! What I mean is often you can be operating within a small department and as change agents often having the weight of trying out new things in our organisations.
What the DPG community is great at is having a source of external expertise that you can tap into to test out your thinking, challenge your own opinions, before then putting new things in place in your business. You get to hear people from people who have walked the walk on the journey you're about to take. A month or so ago, I launched something new into our business and it went really well. I am so pleased that I took my time to do the external research that I did on here because I personally believe that's what helped the launch to go so well.
Thanks so much for creating a great space for us all.
Ady
Thank you so much Steve, Jillian and Rachel for taking the time to comment. It is really inspiring to read your feedback and to hear how you all emphasis the strength of the community and that it feels a 'safe' place to interact - I agree with Steve that often that is not the case on community forums, so well done to all.
Hi Sarah,
Firstly, many thanks for judging and for agreeing with all of us that this forum deserved recognition - even if we do feel a Gold would have been a better outcome! ;-)
I'm a member of several forums. The reason that I feel the DPG one is such a success if because it' not limited to just throwing out a comment via a message board. It encourages discussion, enables blogging, has private messaging options, has chat, is regularly updated with tips, slides, video and the like. In short, there is always something new to discover every time you log in. It's on my favourites bar, and it's opened pretty much every time I switch on the PC.
The other main reason it works so well - is precisely that! Because it works so well, everyone feels comfortable in posting up a message or a post or whatever, in every confidence that they will be supported by the members who will strive to help them in their query. A problem with a lot of forums is that people are afraid to say anything on them, and consequently it simply doesn't work as a forum. The DPG one does work - that is down to the community spirit between the members.
As a source of motivation and inspiration there is no better place to go if I'm feeling a bit lost for that boost to get stuck into my latest module. I shudder to think how I would struggle to get through the course without having the forum there to get me up and running on a Sunday morning when coffee alone just won't do!
Finally, any good forum needs an enthusiastic, knowledgable, friendly and busy team to keep it updated, to welcome new members and encourage conversation/ discussion. I tip my hat to Mike and Deb in that respect - what a great team, what a great forum!
Steve
Hi Sarah
I agree DPG is a worthy winner, silver is a really great achievement!
What I like about the Community is it's a space where we can share ideas & questions, obtain best practice & opinions on current ‘hot’ topics. The responses you get are from a range of people working in a variety of roles & sectors so you get a glimpse of HR life elsewhere in the country. It is a constant source of relevant, interesting & thought-provoking discussions & learning points.
What I love about the Community is just that - it's a community. DPG & it’s users daily show community spirit and comradeship, we support & encourage each other, which when you’re relatively new to HR like I am is reassuring & inspiring.
Jill
Hi Sarah, this is really lovely to read and yes definitely worthy of silver if not the Gold!
I have found this community such a support since I have started my course and I am sure after I have finished it will very much remain as a support for me. I love that you can ask questions on here and we aren't judged by anyone and everyone is like minded and when you are on your own in HR this is so important.
Hope this helps