TVG’s word of mouth (WOM) practice works to establish communities, because by doing so we can take the relationship beyond transactions and elevate it to engagement.

Building communities also facilitates interchange among community members so they can grow their own social networks and recruit others.

But, what is the modern meaning of community? TVG and our clients look to data such as in this month’s Roper Report’s TrendWhys report. Their data tells us:

– A sense of community clearly matters to people today.

– Childhood neighborhoods are fondly recalled.

– Close-knit neighborhoods don’t just happen.

– Sadly, a neighborhood sense of community is often lacking today.

– What is the future of communities? Increasingly, it is likely to be a mix of the physical local neighborhood, and virtual or other communities of choice (see Les Hostetler’s two-part series on Second Life, below).

Contact us at tvg@vandivergroup.com or send comments to blog@vandivergroup.com.