Reflection of the Week
Creating a Thriving Private Social Network
Happy Friday, all!
I hope you’re already on your way to a lovely long weekend.
I have another great MDB episode to help you relax into your holiday. I chat with Shadé Akande, founder and CEO of ONE X LEAGUE, a private social league for Black and Afro-Latina women executives and founders. With more than 18 years of global HR experience at companies like Google and Walmart, Shadé shares her journey of creating a community during that pandemic that blossomed into ONE X LEAGUE.
Episode Highlights
Mission-driven businesses prioritize purpose above all else.
Shadé Akande describes a mission-driven business as prioritizing its purpose and values over everything else. The goal is to create a company that produces a long-term positive impact.
“A mission-driven business prioritizes its purpose and values over everything else,” Shadé said on the episode. “Its goal is to create impact and positive change.”
Community is crucial for overcoming challenges.
When people could gather together again after the pandemic lockdowns, Shadé recognized the need for a space where Black and Afro-Latina women could share their experiences and support each other. She started organizing brunches nationwide to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Since then, ONE X LEAGUE has organized numerous events to help members build meaningful connections and navigate workplace challenges.
“We would share what we’re doing,” Shadé said. “We’d support each other and share examples of things we could take away and use in our workplace.”
Kindness is key to building a strong community.
Shadé stressed the importance of kindness as a core value for ONE X LEAGUE members. To maintain the community’s quality and engagement, membership renewals are not automatic. Members must be invited to renew, helping to maintain a supportive and safe environment for all members.
“Our one value for members is kindness,” she said. “We take that really seriously as we invite people to become members of ONE X LEAGUE, so much so that even renewals are not automatic. You have to be invited to renew.”
Feedback and continuous improvement are essential for growth.
Regular feedback from members is vital for the continuous improvement of ONE X LEAGUE. Shadé conducts anonymous surveys to gather insights and ensure the community’s offerings remain relevant and impactful. This feedback loop helps make necessary adjustments and keeps the community aligned with its mission and values.
“We do regular anonymous surveys,” she said. For instance, in a recent survey, Shadé asked members whether they agreed that they were having great experiences. “All of those who took the survey, 100%, agreed strongly.”
Questions of the Week
- How does your product or service create community?
- How do you solicit feedback on your product or service?
- What’s one thing you’re excited to do (or not do) this weekend?
Tool of the Week
It’s a holiday weekend, so take some time to relax, recharge and reinvigorate yourself. Your business will be better off for it.