Community and crowdsourcing are powerful tools that organizations and platforms can use to achieve their mission or vision. Wikipedia, Be My Eyes, Lego Ideas, Quora, and many open-source projects are just some examples of entities that rely on volunteers and users to create and improve their products or services. These communities and crowdsourcing efforts allow for a fast response time and often result in a high-quality end product, as they harness the power of a diverse and passionate group of individuals.
To build a successful community, it is important to have a clear and compelling mission or purpose that attracts early members. Nurturing the community is also essential, which can involve active listening and giving back. Leaders in the community play a key role in guiding and managing the group, but it is also important to allow for bottom-up initiative and freedom. Building a strong and engaged community takes time and effort, but can pay off in the long run, as seen in examples like Burning Man or Tesla.
In conclusion, community and crowdsourcing are becoming increasingly important for organizations and platforms, as they allow for a diverse and passionate group of individuals to come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. By attracting early members through a compelling mission, nurturing the community, and allowing for both top-down direction and bottom-up initiative, organizations can build powerful communities that can help achieve their vision.