Ask Y and C? Why? And what exactly will I see? Examining how you can benefit from our on-line community.

What’s the point of an online community? As a business with a recently launched website, we explore our motives for trying to create such a web space and examine why we believe users will find it valuable and enjoyable. Was our vision realistic? Only you can help us find out!

In today’s online business world, a website can be so much more than just a brochure for services. Don’t get me wrong, people still want to know who you are, what you do and how you do it, but it doesn’t end there.

The iluminar.co.uk website was labour of love for those concerned and from our earliest discussions with our web designer and friends at Tick Tock Media we had a relatively clear of idea of where we wanted to go.

1. An appealing shop front of what we had to offer which reflects our personality and approach – TICK!

2. A way to demonstrate our company ethos of providing support in way that suits you i.e. accessing the information the way you prefer – TICK!

3. Providing a way to engage with existing clients, potential customers, associates and partners in a way that makes the site come alive and allow people to make a genuine connection with us – TICK, but wait…how exactly do we do that?!

Our solution took us in the direction of a knowledge base, which we called ‘Friends of Iluminar’. The idea was to create a small corner of the Internet for those with an interest in Iluminar and in what it does in the areas of supporting good leadership and the development of teams and people. The main focus of the community was to be participation in the ‘Ask Y and C’ forum.

It doesn’t take a genius to understand that a consultancy and training business finds success by building real connections with people and networks who understand your expertise and value, trust in your ability to deliver and will turn to you when they need help. So, laying our cards on the table, yes, that’s what’s in it for us.

However, rightly and predictably I hear you ask, what’s in it for me?

Well, no one would dispute that some of most valuable experiences for business people is the opportunity to talk about their challenges and gather the views of others who may have trodden the same path before. There is no more important a subject worthy of harnessing such experience than how to lead, work with and get the most from your colleagues and people.

Putting you all in a room with coffee and custard creams on a regular basis to achieve this is impossible, but reserving some online floor space for you to ask questions and have a voice is the next best thing.

Not only that, but Iluminar will be active participants in the debate or discussion lending our experiences and observations to the mix.

We don’t for a minute want you to share personal data or details that would at best embarrass or at worst infringe people’s rights, but we do envisage the ability find genuine insight from the general experience of others and the Iluminar team on big questions or issues that influence how people develop and work together.

We are not trying to build another LinkedIn or business-focused Facebook.

Why bother when they and other platforms are doing that so well already. If you consider each of those as vast sprawling cities across the web, then we are a more personal, welcoming village devoted to helping people develop and shine.

Whether you network face to face or use an online platform like ours, the rule is the same – you only get the best from it by supporting and participating. We understand that you may not have time to engage with every opportunity of this nature, but we hope you choose to participate in this one.

What will it cost me and what’s the catch, you ask?

Nothing and there isn’t one.

A quick tap of the keys with your e-mail address, a username and a password and you’ve registered.

We’ve recognised how annoying a constant stream of junk mail is and we’ll keep our e-mail communications to a minimum.

What have you got to lose?

Oh, and from time to time we’ll thank you with exclusive, informative blogs, helpful handouts to download and even offers on open-programme training courses that are only available to members.

It’s a few taps away! We look forward to getting to know you better and seeing whether we can really create something special!

 http://knowledge.iluminar.co.uk/register