So you've got an idea for your own business and enough capital to put a plan into motion. But your bank account can only get you so far, as you won't be able to cover the costs of hiring staff. Furthermore, an idea doesn't equal know-how and running this business will be a learning process for you. Luckily, there are affordable options to help turn your idea into reality. It involves the formation of a "community of practice."
What is a "Community of Practice"?
A community of practice is a formal or informal group of people who come together around a common interest or goal. Such groups form to share and grow knowledge and they are dynamic in that they are made up of people of varying levels of knowledge. Those with a stronger grasp of the subject area impart their knowledge and experiences onto the relative newcomers who themselves gain mastery and take the former's role when new members join (Merriam & Bierema, 2013, p. 120-121). A community of practice shuns a top-down approach for a collaborative effort.
A Personal Anecdote of My Experience in a Community of Practice
In 2021, I volunteered to work on a small family owned farm, vineyard, and winery through an organization known as Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). WWOOF connects people with privately owned organic farms from around the world. People volunteer to work in exchange for free room and board and, more rewardingly, knowledge about how to run an organic farm. The two biggest groups of people who join WWOOF are travelers who want to see the world and aspiring farmers who need to gain the knowledge and experience to someday run their own farm.
The farm, vineyard, and winery I worked on was gifted as inheritance to a young man whose father kept the property and business as more of a pet project than a genuine money maker. However, the son was determined to turn it into a business that could support his family of four. Having no other capital than the property itself, he joined WWOOF to get volunteers to help him grow his business. Since the volunteers came from all over the country and world, they brought unique experiences and expertise to help get the farm, vineyard, and winery off the ground. The owner did have knowledge about farming and winemaking, as he helped his father growing up. But he wasn't an expert at it, and certainly not an expert at running a business. Luckily, since he had beds, food, friendship and an experience of a lifetime to offer, he was able to learn from willing volunteers as much as they were able to learn from him. Together they researched organic farming methods and best business practices and shared their knowledge through hands on experience. As a volunteer myself, I learned quite a bit and the owner was never shy about asking for my opinions and ideas about how to run things. Despite it being his farm, I never felt like his way goes. It was a truly collaborative effort in which everyone learned and evolved.
What does it have to do with my new business?
Everyone is aware of the concept of an intern and but few know of the alternative methods to finding them. If you don't want to be an organic farmer, you can try other organizations such as Workaway, Worldpackers, Helpx, and Couchsurfing where you can find willing hands that'll help you with just about anything, and they just might teach you a thing or two as well. People can be willing to work for free when the return on investment is worthwhile. Provide them with a bed, three meals a day, friendship, the experience of a lifetime, and a community of practice that serves their goals and interests, and you'll be giving them ample return on investment. And you'll get it too.
Reference:
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2013). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Cover Image Source: Giulia Forsythe. Flickr