The Community Collective is teaching people how to build a customer base as passionate as Canva’s

If community is the new currency, then community management has emerged as the cornerstone of successful business growth and impactful social causes.

As the world shifts online more and more businesses are embracing real human connections to have a positive impact on the lives of customers.

Companies such as Culture Amp, Canva, Salesforce and Slack have grown through a community-led approach that’s created passionate followers around their brands. Other companies have noticed and are now seeking professionals in this area, recognising its importance for team culture, and customer value.

But as Paz Pisarski, Melia Rayner and Jaala Alex, cofounders of The Community Collective, explain, the problem is a noticeable gap in formal education and recognition of community management as a career path and/or key business driver.

So in 2022, they launched an 8-week course to train and grow community professionals. The Community Cohort is a pioneering initiative committed to empowering community builders and managers with the knowledge and skills needed to build impactful communities for businesses.

Applications for the 5th program close this week on August 23.

“Building a community within a business is no longer a nice to have, its imperative,” Walker said.

“In a digital world where AI and technology is taking away the personal touch, its communities that will bring it back.”

Over the last two years program participants ins (known as ‘CC’ians’) have designed community strategies for their employers for tech sector businesses including Tractor Ventures, Airtree, KPMG, CSIRO, Canva, The University of Melbourne, MYOB, Blackbird Ventures, Eucalyptus and affix.

Paz Pisarski said The Community Collective has brought together industry leaders around the world to join their Cohorts as speakers and coaches, providing participants access to invaluable insights and knowledge from those who have walked this path before them.

The speaker lineup for the fifth cohort includes author and entrepreneur Seth Godin from The Carbon Almanac, Hex founder Jeanette Cheah, Culture Amp’s DeMario Bell, One Roof founder Sheree Rubinstein, Emily Casey from What The Health and VC fund Tenmile, Square’s Max Pete, Dara Simkin from Culture Hero, Startup Daily editor Simon Thomsen, Monica Rysavy from Forte Labs and Systematic You, and Being Human founder Joel Hines, as well as coaches Tim Duggan, Yana Belova and Ben Davies.

“Our 8-week cohort is where community builders, operators, and founders come together to level up and build impactful communities,”  Pisarski said.

“With a program tailored to develop actionable strategies and foster real connections, our members emerge equipped to navigate the challenges of community building with confidence and clarity. It’s not just about joining a program, it’s about learning alongside those who are also deep in this work.”

As applications for Cohort #5 close on August 23 at 12 noon, AEST. For details and to apply, see thecommunitycollective.co/cohort