Detroit City Wire

In a recent edition of "Ask the Board," Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room, shared insights on fostering a sense of community within small businesses. Zoom Room is a dog training service company with 60 locations across the United States. Van Wye emphasized that creating a strong community is essential for business success.

Van Wye outlined several strategies to achieve this goal. He stressed the importance of clarifying your mission and leading with a purpose beyond profit: "Your business isn’t just about transactions — it’s about transformation." By defining clear values that resonate with both employees and customers, businesses can foster unity and build a natural community.

Open communication is another critical component. Van Wye advised establishing multiple channels for team members and customers to connect and share ideas. He noted, "An innovation-friendly environment, where suggestions are valued, can lead to real change."

Developing a culture of support, shared learning, and empowerment is also vital. Van Wye highlighted how encouraging employees to share their expertise transforms businesses into hubs of shared learning: "Empowering employees to take on teaching roles not only enhances their own skills but it also fosters deeper connections among team members."

Creating opportunities for shared experiences was another point discussed by Van Wye. Organizing events or workshops can help strengthen bonds within the workplace: "These activities encourage collaboration, spark creativity, and strengthen bonds."

Van Wye also mentioned using storytelling to strengthen emotional connections: "Storytelling is a powerful tool for building emotional connections." Sharing stories of customer victories and team achievements demonstrates investment in the growth and well-being of both customers and employees.

Finally, aligning your team and partners with your mission and values ensures everyone works toward the same goals. At Zoom Room, they seek individuals passionate about enriching the community by improving lives through their services.

Overall, these strategies are designed to create an engaged community within any small business setting.