It's Not Just Who You Know ... It's How You Grow

The importance of business connections has increased dramatically over the years. I recall the days in which your Rolodex (yes, the real thing!) was more of a vanity tool (look at who’s in my Rolodex!) rather than a means by which to deeply connect with people. Now, our connections – both physical and virtual are far more meaningful; it’s less about who you know and far more about the depth of your connections. In other words:     

If networking is all about knowing more people, connecting is about knowing people more and growing relationships.

This is something we've come to see so clearly over the last eighteen months. Even as Covid-19 separated us from others, it challenged us to find new ways to connect virtually. And something interesting has happened — as we face an uncertain future, one thing is certain: our priorities have changed. As we shed things that no longer serve, we are searching for meaning, authenticity, and belonging, both personally and professionally.

Successful brands have long recognized the value of communities that allow for connection, sharing, feedback, and personal growth — along with building brand loyalty. A couple of great examples:

GoPro For this adventure-hungry community, life is all about the journey — and taking other folks along through GoPro technology. As they sum it up, "You never lost sight of your passions, even if it meant practicing them from your living rooms. We're grateful, inspired, and hungry for the future."

Starbucks: I love how the brand defines community as "creating pathways to opportunity." From college funds to climate change to diversity initiatives, Starbucks is "tapping into a passionate network of people eager to make a positive impact in their communities."

It's not just B2C brands that are finding the gold in community. For instance, for big B2B tech and data companies — like Oracle and IBM —communities function as virtual idea incubators for developers, partners, and customers that can lead to innovation. As Ginni Rometty, former President and CEO of IBM has said, "Your value will be not what you know; it will be what you share."


When online communities are designed right, it's a win-win for both brands and partners alike. Above all? They are trusted places people go to share their knowledge and learn from others. If you're a lifelong learner, you're already part of a global community of change-makers ready to take on whatever the future holds.


At Skillsoft, we’ve just launched The Learning Edge, a new customer community for leaders and learners alike — where you can meet other customers, share and gain valuable insights, and quickly find the resources you need to help your learning programs grow. From admins to end-users, we’ve designed the community with your success in mind:

Focused communities based on your specific interests
Updates on new programs, content, and Skillsoft technologies
Easy-to-find and use libraries for catalogs, content maps, and more
Gamification to allow you to show off your skills and participation
Discussion posts, blogs, announcements, ideation opportunities
Speaking and case study opportunities to share your knowledge

I'm looking forward to seeing how we evolve and grow together as we co-create the future of learning. Someday, I hope our virtual community leads to live Learning Edge events. After all, real connections make the very best "networks."

And … maybe, just maybe, we can throw away the Rolodex, too.

Want to learn more about The Learning Edge? Chat with your Customer Success Manager or send an email to learning.edge@skillsoft.com today.