While communities generate tangible value for businesses — such as content, events, online advocacy and marketing, technology production, customer support, and education — it is the intangible value that members derive from the experience that makes these environments truly “sticky.”

7. Open, objective, governance and evolution.

If a company can transition from simply delivering a product to building a community, it can unlock extraordinary competitive advantages and both create and support a superior business model.

4. Clearly defined incentives and rewards.

6. Healthy, diverse participation driven by good leadership.

2. Simple, easily accessible value consumption.

Successful communities have seven key elements:

1. A shared purpose and values.

5. Carefully crafted accountability.