Author: Elizabeth Kate

HOW I DECIDED WHAT COMMUNITIES TO JOIN ON VINA

/ Elizabeth Kate / 1 Comment

As an online community manager for an engineering company and for my own personal community, Vivi e impara, I strongly believe in the power of community to connect people and share knowledge. At VINA, this is something that can be done very well!

According to the State of Community Management 2018 Report, communities are impacting the way we live and the work around us. The research is compelling:

  1. Communities are change agents: Community programs impact multiple functions, stakeholders, and departments in organizations. They have immense potential to be agents of change by efficiently dispersing knowledge and information across organizations and their markets.
  2. Communities create transformational value: Community programs show an average ROI that exceeds 2,000%. They enable behavior changes that directly impact profitability and revenue generation, while also having an overwhelmingly positive impact on brand and cultural sentiment.
  3. Community teams are underfunded: Community professionals are burnt out due to increasing success and workloads without the accompanying increase in resources and support. This is limiting impact.

As a VINA Ambassador & VINA Society Writer, and an active member of The Community Roundtable network, I’ve used VINA to connect with women with similar interests as mine. I’m active in many communities, including bloggers, dog owners, foodies, and yoga, to name a few. While chatting with new vinas on the app, I’m able to find something in common with them. And if not, then I’ve met someone different from me that I can learn from.

Just this past week I connected with a fellow yogi. In the introduction on the app it says, “Share your favorite spot to shavasana! Then how about trying each other’s favorite yoga studios together?” This quick introduction not only helps new vinas find a cool new yoga studio, but also suggests an activity to bring women closer together based on mutual interests and understanding. Now, what’s better than that?

I’m grateful that VINA is supporting the diverse interests and skill sets that we as women represent. VINA challenges and recognizes us and celebrates what we have in common and what makes us different.

Download the Hey! VINA app today and find out for yourself! Join a few communities and realize just how beautiful it is to bring us all a little closer together. 

FUR-TERNITY OR PAWTERNITY LEAVE TREND FOR WORKING DOG MOMS

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Have you heard about this yet? If you have a puppy or if you’re planning on getting one soon, this could potentially be very good news for you!

Some dog-loving employers are looking for ways to help new pet parents with special benefits. One digital marketing company in Minneapolis recently introduced “fur-ternity leave” for its employees.

Fur-ternity leave, or pawternity leave, is becoming an increasing trend thanks to pet-loving millennials, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Other companies are introducing pet insurance and pets in the workplace, reports MPR News.

To me, this is exciting and much-needed news. As someone who knows how difficult it is to introduce a new pet into your home, this is extremely comforting. Your pet is family, and while it’s not exactly a baby coming from the mother’s womb, it’s still a big part of your life as a responsible and loving pet owner.

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I remember the first few weeks of adopting my dog, Smokey. The dog necessities were bought, training was in full effect, dog walkers were screen-checked, and I think I slept with one eye open. When we first introduced him to our home, he had an ear infection and a few other issues, so we had to go to the vet to get him checked out. I frequently had to cancel plans on the weekends to take care of him, and at work I set up a dog monitor on my desk to check up on him every few hours. Introducing a dog into your home and adapting to your new pet owner lifestyle is a big (but welcome) change!

I think a lot of new pet owners (and their pets) would benefit from fur-ternity leave to set up the dog for a healthy life in a loving new home.

Looking for support from fellow dog lovers? Fortunately, we have a dog owners VINA community where you can check out local meet-up groups!

Join our dog-owners community on Hey! VINA and start swiping to plan puppy play dates!

 

10 WAYS TO BREAK THE ICE WITH YOUR VINA

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It can be difficult to make a real connection with someone when you first meet them. It takes time, patience, and empathy to get to know a person on a deeper level. But when you’re able to easily break the ice with someone, you can start to build a meaningful friendship with your new vina instantly! Check out these tips to get beyond the surface level.

1. ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS

Instead of just the run-of-the-mill, “how are you?” or  “what’s up?” questions, ask questions that go deeper and help you learn more about the person. Some suggestions are to ask about the pet in their profile picture, their cool sense of style, or anything they shared on their profile or in-person that catches your interest. Get to know them by asking what makes them who they are.

2. FIND SOMETHING IN COMMON

Read her bio, check out her Instagram page or see what communities she’s a part of on the Hey! VINA app and look for similarities that you share. When you find something you both have in common, it will make it much easier to connect on a deeper level and build a true friendship based on things you both enjoy.

3. LISTEN CLOSELY

With all of the distractions out there (I’m talking about you, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook), it can be difficult to give your full attention to your new vina. Respond to her messages, take interest in what she likes and listen closely to what she has to say. Being a good listener is a key quality in a good friend.

4. SUGGEST AN ACTIVITY YOU’LL BOTH ENJOY

If you saw an activity or hobby that she enjoyed, suggest doing this activity together. Whether it’s cooking, window shopping, or going to comedy shows, do something you and your vina can enjoy together.

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5. SHARE SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOURSELF

Did you just get a new job? Earn a new certification or degree? Adopt a new pet? Whatever it is, tell your vina and she’ll get to know (and love!) the real you.

6. RECOMMEND SOMETHING USEFUL

Share your knowledge. Recommend a new yoga class, restaurant or book, and we are sure that your vina will be grateful for it. You may even find something in common this way. Hello, new yoga buddy!

7. SHOW INTEREST

Now, this sounds like an obvious one, but it can be often over-looked. Show that you’re interested in your vina by asking questions and really engaging in the conversation. Ask questions and do your best to remember her answers.

8. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

Did you recently go on an overseas trip, learn a new skill, or even something as simple as cooking a different breakfast meal for yourself? Tell your vina! She’ll most likely be interested in what you do for fun and how you keep yourself busy and entertained. If you have something to share that could benefit or interest her, don’t be shy! Tell her and watch your connection grow even stronger.

9. EXPRESS YOUR EMOTIONS

Loving the profile pic your vina has or obsessing over the fact that she loves matcha too? Tell her! Express your emotions of excitement, happiness, or even vulnerability to your new friend and you will automatically have a stronger connection.

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10. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Best for last! Be yourself and show your new vina what you’re all about. Chances are she’ll like you for you and you two will get to know each other authentically. Don’t hide anything, be open with who you are, and your vina will love you for you!

We taught you how to break the ice. Now it’s your turn to find your vinas!