Citrix Systems is an American multinational software company that provides server, application and desktop virtualization, networking, software as a service, and cloud computing technologies. Citrix solutions are in use by over 400,000 clients worldwide, including 98% of the Fortune 500, and 99% of the Fortune 1000.
Citrix customers and partners are a deep resource of knowledge, always striving to stay ahead of rapidly evolving technology and industries. Citrix wanted to unleash that knowledge through a global community that empowers customers and helps them share innovations, best practices and real-world solutions and challenges. It was our opportunity to design, launch and manage that new community.
After interviewing customers, partners, executives and stakeholders, and assessing the Citrix customer base and global footprint, we recommended a customer community centered on independent knowledge and networking, for the user and by the user, with opportunities for peer-to-peer engagement.
With the community and technical teams at Citrix, we crafted a vision of the new community and its leadership, organization and benefits. Next, we wrote a business plan with a launch date, deliverables, resources and metrics. Over four months we executed against the plan: We developed the mission, standards and brand, recruited leaders, built the website and invited expert content to fill our forums, blogs and webinars, initiated local chapters and meetings, and announced the community across social media, at industry events and through company channels.
The driving force within CUGC are the members that volunteer to lead and share their hard-earned technical knowledge. Their work has created a spirit of real community and sparked CUGC’s growth.
Today, CUGC is a global community in which Citrix professionals share real-world, independent knowledge about Citrix and related technologies and access experts from the community, Citrix and partner companies. CUGC offers blogs, forums, local and regional meetings and opportunities for leadership. Essential to its energy and organization are more than 150 volunteers who manage groups, moderate online forums and webinars, participate in the speakers’ bureau, and blog and present. Its members work at organizations small and large, including some of the most recognizable names in manufacturing, finance, transportation, professional services, healthcare and government.
In fewer than four years, CUGC has grown to more than 20,000 members accounts, more than 70 local and specialty groups and more than 150 volunteer leaders. Its members and sponsors have produced hundreds of technical webinars and blogs, and thousands of community posts. Since the end of our first year, CUGC has more than tripled in size and activity. It continues to grow, adding members throughout North America, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. CUGC has met or exceeded expectations for growth, activity and budget.
