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Don’t underestimate the potential for purpose-driven communities to grow. This is one of the most impactful tools in an entrepreneur‘s toolkit to help lead your business to longevity and long-term happiness.
Because let’s be honest, no one wants to be unhappy in their business. In this article, you’ll learn the importance of building a community with a common purpose and how it impacts the continued success of your business.
Entrepreneurial success is at the heart of our purpose
I would like to see more purpose-driven businesses built around the world.
Purpose-driven businesses are run by entrepreneurs who lead wholeheartedly with the belief that their business is doing well in the world. This business solves important social or environmental problems. Purpose-driven businesses are not driven solely by profit, but by the change the entrepreneur wants to see in the world.
Surprisingly, my entrepreneurial journey did not begin with a purpose. It started with the idea of starting a marketing agency and solving complex marketing problems. But as the business grew, I was no longer driven by profit or success. Over time, my main driver became purpose, the value I wanted to bring to the world. It doesn’t matter where you are on your business trip. You can choose a different path and refocus your business with purpose.
Building a community of entrepreneurs with a common purpose helped me pave this path to success. It is because of their inspiration, advice and support during difficult times that I was able to stay in business for five years. Remember, 2 out of 10 companies It failed in its first year of operation. Once you get past this point, you’re well on your way.
Building a community of common interests will lead to more business projects aligned with your values, improved opportunities for collaboration, and the emergence of new service areas. Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration and intentionally working with other business leaders. Cultivating this community is as much a part of successful business growth as any organizational, marketing, or sales strategy.
Related: Why a purpose-driven business is the real key to success
identify your community
Who would you like to build a purpose-based community with? This question can be answered by identifying your values and purpose as an entrepreneur.
Start the process by identifying your business objectives. It took me hours to narrow down my purpose and values. That was definitely reflected in my business. Personally, my aim is to become an eco-marketer who builds meaningful connections, leads by example, supports marketers and creatives taking climate action, and puts people and the planet at the heart of all marketing campaigns. .
By understanding my purpose, I was able to identify a community of like-minded entrepreneurs interested in sustainability. It also allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level. Having a common purpose deepens community connections, from transactional to working together to build a better world.
Once you identify your purpose, find your community. The LinkedIn community is a great platform to connect with entrepreneurs and find others who may share your values. This is truly the world’s largest business networking social media platform. 1 billion members. Use the search feature to identify members who are sharing and talking about similar topics to you.
However, by actively participating in the community, you can find people who share your values. These people are pure gold and will help you grow your business. They support your ideas, connect you to opportunities, and move the industry forward. Remember, identifying groups is just the beginning. As mentioned earlier, long-term success comes from nurturing relationships with people who share a common purpose.
Related: 3 Reasons Why Purpose-Driven Businesses Can Help You Find Better Employers, Mentors, and Investors
How to build a community of shared purpose
Once you build bridges, you can follow three paths to building a community of entrepreneurs with a shared purpose.
- Change in mindset: long term — Building a community requires the right mindset. First, put personal interests aside and focus on the community. You’ll be surprised how a community-first mindset creates more authentic connections that build long-term business growth. We also focus on the future and build connections that last for years and don’t stop when the deal ends.
- Step up: Contribute — Contributing is another important step in building a community of purposeful entrepreneurs. You can’t demand value from others if you’re not willing to step up and provide value yourself. Meaningful connections are made by reaching out, informing your community of business opportunities, and providing opportunities for collaboration. Building a community of shared purpose requires embodying your values and living them openly.
- Passing the Torch: Advocating for Other Entrepreneurs — Long-term success as an entrepreneur comes from taking you out of the equation. In entrepreneurial circles, growth goals, objectives, and business strategies are not the most important thing. Support and showcase the work of others and build meaningful connections.
Find entrepreneurs who have the same values as you and are on a similar path. Next, work to build a community of shared purpose with those entrepreneurs. This one business tactic will give you longevity and long-term business success.