This article is part of a series of tutorial to help you understand the full spectrum of the community. This article explores how we, At Mesh Impact, value collaboration to create innovative business solutions through design thinking and collective intelligence. Our diverse community co-creates impactful solutions grounded in practical expertise. We guide new members through a flexible approach and each role contributes to project success.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Mesh Impact
- Ethics and Community Values
- Systemic innovation
- Community Structure and Roles
- Community Operations and Processes
- Onboarding Process for New Members
- Managing Strategic Projects
- Governance and Decision-Making
- Token-Based Reward System
- Missions and freelancing
- Fostering Innovation and Collaboration
- Continuous Learning and Development
- Engagement and Communication
Understanding the Mesh Impact Community: Structure and Roles
At Mesh Impact, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Our community brings together a diverse array of members to co-create innovative business solutions through design thinking and collective intelligence. This collaborative approach involves not only our internal experts but also external stakeholders, including target customers, ensuring that the solutions we develop are deeply aligned with real-world needs.
In each project, members from various roles—Explorers, Young Talents, and Senior Experts (business industry experts, technologists, and leaders)—work together with Advisors and external stakeholders to frame the project. This collective effort culminates in a well-defined business case, which we then present to potential customers who may already be part of our community or whom we prospect and engage.
This process ensures that every project is grounded in practical insights and expertise, setting the stage for impactful solutions. Below, we delve deeper into the structure of our community, the roles involved, and how they collaborate to drive innovation.
1Our Community Structure
Mesh Impact is a diverse and vibrant community where individuals from different backgrounds come together to collaborate on systemic innovation and sustainable development. The community is structured into several key roles: Explorers, Young Talents, Senior Experts, and Advisors. Each role plays a crucial part in the ecosystem, contributing to the community’s collective intelligence and impact.
Explorers
Who They Are:
Explorers are individuals who are new to the community and eager to learn, contribute, and grow within the Mesh Impact ecosystem. They often bring fresh perspectives and are motivated to explore different areas of interest before specializing.
Role and Contribution:
Explorers participate in a variety of projects and initiatives, often working alongside more experienced members. Their role is to engage actively, absorb knowledge, and gradually find their niche within the community. They may contribute to research, support ongoing projects, and participate in discussions, helping to inject new ideas into the community.
Collaboration Example:
An Explorer might join a project team focused on developing a new sustainability initiative. They could work closely with Young Talents and Experts, conducting initial research or supporting data analysis. Through this collaboration, they gain exposure to different methodologies and ideas, gradually building their expertise.
Young Talents
Who They Are:
Young Talents are members who have started to develop expertise in specific areas but are still early in their professional journey. They are often passionate and driven, looking to deepen their knowledge and take on more responsibilities.
Role and Contribution:
Young Talents contribute more actively to projects, often taking on specific tasks or leading small initiatives. They are key players in the community, bridging the gap between Explorers and Experts by bringing fresh ideas and a willingness to take on challenges.
Collaboration Example:
A Young Talent might lead a small project team focused on researching innovative financial models for sustainability. They would collaborate with Experts to refine their approach, while also guiding Explorers who assist with research tasks. This role allows them to develop leadership skills while benefiting from the mentorship of more experienced members.
Senior Experts
Senior Experts are the backbone of Mesh Impact, providing deep expertise across various domains. They are categorized into three key pools:
- Business Industry Experts: Professionals with extensive experience in specific industries who provide strategic insights and practical knowledge to ensure projects are aligned with market realities.
- Technologists: Innovators and technical experts who bring cutting-edge knowledge in technology, helping to develop solutions that are not only innovative but also feasible and scalable.
- Leaders: Visionaries and thought leaders who guide the community’s overall direction, ensuring that our initiatives align with global trends and future needs.
Role and Contribution:
Senior Experts play a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of projects. They lead high-impact initiatives, mentor Young Talents and Explorers, and provide the expert insights necessary to frame and develop business cases that resonate with target customers.
Collaboration Example:
In a project aimed at developing a new technology solution for the food industry, Business Industry Experts would provide market insights, Technologists would design the technical solution, and Leaders would ensure the project aligns with broader strategic goals. This collaboration ensures that the final product is both innovative and market-ready.
Advisors
Who They Are:
Advisors are highly respected figures, often external to the community but with deep expertise and experience. They provide guidance and high-level advice to the community, helping to align Mesh Impact’s initiatives with broader trends and best practices.
Role and Contribution:
Advisors play a dual role in the community. They not only offer strategic advice and review key projects, but they also act as lobbyists for the community’s initiatives. By leveraging their extensive networks and industry connections, Advisors help promote Mesh Impact’s projects to potential customers, reducing the sales effort required to secure engagements and increasing the likelihood of success.
Collaboration Example:
An Advisor might be brought in to review a major initiative, such as a new partnership strategy. They would provide feedback based on their extensive experience and help connect the project team with key industry stakeholders. Additionally, Advisors might use their influence to advocate for the project within their networks, securing interest and support from potential customers early in the process.
2How Collaboration Works in Mesh Impact
Collaboration in Mesh Impact is driven by a structured yet flexible approach, where each role contributes to the overall success of the community’s projects. Here’s how it typically works:
- Project Framing: Initiated by Senior Experts or Advisors, who bring together Explorers, Young Talents, and relevant external stakeholders. This diverse team uses design thinking to explore and frame the project, ensuring all perspectives are considered.
- Business Case Development: Once the project is framed, the team collaboratively develops a business case. This involves detailed research, prototyping, and validation with target customers and other stakeholders.
- Project Execution: The project team—comprising Explorers, Young Talents, and Senior Experts—executes the plan, with guidance and strategic oversight from Advisors. Continuous feedback loops with stakeholders ensure alignment and effectiveness.
- Customer Engagement: The final business case is then presented to the customer, either a member of the community or a prospect. Advisors often play a key role in this phase, leveraging their networks to connect the project with potential customers, thus reducing the sales effort and increasing the likelihood of success.
For more detailed examples of how these roles work together on real projects, take a look at Our Current Projects. This will give you a better understanding of how collaboration drives our mission forward.
Get Involved
If you’re ready to contribute your expertise, learn from others, and be part of an innovation platform, a consulting agency and a community that’s driving change, we invite you to join Mesh Impact. Together, we can achieve more and create a better future for all.
3Up Next: Community Operations and Processes
In the next article, we’ll explore how Mesh Impact operates on a day-to-day basis. We’ll look at the workflows, communication tools, and processes that keep our community running smoothly and effectively. Understanding these operations is key to becoming an active and engaged member of Mesh Impact.
Continue reading to learn more about how we manage our projects, coordinate efforts, and ensure that all members are aligned with our goals.
