The Impact Hub, the largest network for creatives, startups and techies in Switzerland, has centralized the fragmented communication within its dynamic community with an innovative community app. Based on the Bling framework, the app replaces existing communication channels and offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for exchanging information, managing members and reserving resources.
Central features of the community platform
The core functions include central communication, self-service functions, interactive networking and process automation. The application increases efficiency, reduces administrative effort and improves the user experience. It promotes transparency, facilitates collaboration and strengthens the sense of community.
The Impact Hub as a driver for sustainable innovation
By promoting social and ecological innovations, the application creates sustainable added value for society. It serves as a role model for global networking and supports the Impact Hub’s mission to promote innovative solutions to social challenges.
Use Bling for the digital networking of your community.
Opt for an open source framework that has already proven itself in large companies and cooperatives. We professionally integrate Bling into your individual processes.
A community platform for everything
The Impact Hub Zurich is a dynamic network that brings together entrepreneurs, creatives and changemakers. Communication within the community used to take place via various one-to-one or one-to-many channels such as email, newsletters, WhatsApp, telephone or personal visits. This fragmentation led to inefficient communication, increased administrative effort and limited networking between members. Important information on relevant topics had to be painstakingly gathered via various channels. This made it challenging to provide new members with quick access to relevant resources, events and opportunities for cooperation. There was therefore a need for a central, intuitive solution that would facilitate the exchange, dissemination of information and self-administration of members. At the same time, transparent, open and dynamic interaction was to be promoted. One of the IHZ’s core competencies is networking, and this should also be emphasized through digital innovations.
The community app for web, iOS and Android
The newly developed community app is based on Bling, an open-source framework for the development of community solutions. It replaces the previously used communication channels and offers an efficient, user-friendly alternative for the exchange and networking within the Impact Hub Zurich community, the management of memberships, the booking of resources and the use of community offers. It ensures that all members – whether on-site or remote – have the same access to information and the network.
The core functions of the app include:
- Centralized communication: A single community platform for all messages, announcements and discussions – away from scattered channels such as Whatsapp, newsletters, email or direct messages.
- Self-service functionalities: Members can independently access relevant information, book resources, organize events and manage their membership. Important notifications are now made directly via the app.
- Interactive networking: The app makes it easier to find and network with members with similar interests or complementary skills and enables faster networking with the community and the Impact Hub Zurich team.
- Transparency and participation: An open space for discussion, collaboration and co-creation that reflects the values of the Impact Hub. For satellite communities in particular, the app offers a central platform for exchanging ideas and strengthening ties with the entire community.
- Increased efficiency: Administrative processes are automated and facilitate the management of the community.
This digital solution will make Impact Hub Zurich’s innovation network even more connected, efficient and sustainable. It makes it easier for members to share ideas, learn from each other and make a difference together. The technical integration with Impact Hub Zurich’s own ERP, website, various payment gateways, a ticketing system and other third-party systems creates a seamless experience. The community app is available as an iPhone app, Android app and web version for IHZ members.
”Better interaction and participation options make it easier for members to get involved in projects - in contrast to the past, when exchange was only possible via e-mail and made collaboration more difficult.
Simone UsterCommunity Lead Impact Hub Zürich
How the community app increases member satisfaction
The introduction of the Community App brings numerous advantages for the Impact Hub Zurich. The reduction on a central platform significantly reduces the internal administrative workload, which means considerable time savings. At the same time, the automation of processes reduces the need for manual interactions and administrative support, which saves costs.
Simple and direct networking strengthens the community and improves the user experience, which leads to greater member satisfaction. The app also ensures greater transparency, as important information is accessible to all members at all times and communication gaps are minimized.
The app increases the value of membership by helping members to take full advantage of the entire offering – from additional benefits to networking within the community. The aim is for membership to be perceived as more than just the use of the co-working spaces. This strengthens long-term loyalty to the Impact Hub Zurich and promotes customer retention.
Drazen Bozic, Senior PO & Project Manager
Interested in working with us?
Let a partner with many years of experience support you with your next project.
