Online communities bring companies closer to these loyal customers and partners and put their energy and enthusiasm to good use. After all, many of these hyperaffiliated customers TM are also evangelists. Managed properly, they'll help you build your business faster and far less expensively than you could on your own. Some of the most valuable assets companies own are in the heads of the people who work for them. Creating an effective and efficient way for employees and partners to share ideas and learn from each other makes a real difference to the bottom line.
Every online community has four distinct stages.
The first two stages depend on the traditional marketing and product decisions a company makes.