Running Employee Communities Like Mini Startups

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

As Co-founder of Chezie, I spend a lot of time working with the leaders of employee communities — ERGs, affinity groups, interest-based collectives, local hubs, and more. The more I engage with them, the more I realize how much their work mirrors my own as a startup founder.

Think about it:
These leaders pitch ideas, rally teams, manage tight budgets, build programs from the ground up, and constantly work to demonstrate value — all on top of their full-time roles.

It’s not just similar. It’s the same playbook.

So what if we started treating employee community leaders like the intrapreneurs they are — and ran employee communities like startups?

Communities vs. Startups: More Alike Than You Think

You might think this comparison is a stretch, but the overlap is undeniable. Just look at the shared DNA:

• Mission: Startups are born to solve a problem — so are employee communities. Both are guided by a clear purpose.

• Roadmap: Strategic planning, goal-setting, and iterative development are crucial to long-term success for both.

• Budget: Whether you’re building a business or launching a community initiative, you often have to make magic with limited resources.

• Brand: Perception matters. Both must manage their internal and external visibility to build trust and engagement.

• Metrics: You can’t grow what you don’t measure. Both require clear KPIs to track engagement, outcomes, and business value..

What Community Leaders Can Learn from Founders

If the job looks the same, the strategies can too. Here’s what community leaders can borrow from the startup world:

Build MVPs
Start small and intentional. You don’t need a massive initiative to start driving impact. A single well-executed event, resource, or campaign can serve as your MVP (minimum viable product). Use it to test interest, gather feedback, and iterate quickly.

Pitch for Support
Think of executive leadership as your internal investors. When requesting resources, budget, or visibility, frame your ask in terms of ROI. How does your community’s work contribute to employee engagement, talent retention, or innovation? Speak their language, and connect your work to the company’s strategic goals.

Know Your Users
Community members are your end users. Take time to understand what they care about, where they need support, and what’s resonating. Regular surveys, office hours, and direct feedback loops will help you stay relevant — and responsive.

Market Yourself
Even great programs need a spotlight. Use internal newsletters, Slack channels, all-hands meetings, and other touchpoints to promote your work. Share wins, shout out contributors, and highlight the impact you’re making across the organization.

Track & Report
Startups don’t launch products without tracking outcomes — your community programs should be no different. Define what success looks like upfront, measure it consistently, and report results regularly. This builds credibility, improves planning, and ensures leadership understands the full impact.

What Companies Can Do to Help

If we want employee communities to flourish, we need to start treating their leaders like the strategic operators they are.

That means:

• Offering leadership development and mentorship specifically tailored to community leadership

• Providing infrastructure for planning, communication, and measurement

• Carving out dedicated time and budget — not as a favor, but as an investment

• Publicly celebrating community impact as a key contributor to culture and business goals

When leaders are supported, communities thrive. And when communities thrive, companies win — through stronger culture, deeper belonging, and higher retention.

Time to Shift the Mental Model

It’s time to move beyond viewing employee communities as side projects. When we approach them with the same rigor, creativity, and investment we give startups, we unlock their full potential — as engines of trust, innovation, and connection.

So ask yourself: What would change if you treated your community like a startup?

Onward and upward,
Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.