This picture is the first ever PizzaHut website. It was launched in 1994 – it is simple, straight forward and did one thing. It allowed you to put your address in so that you can order a pizza to be deliver to your door.
Photo via hyperallergic.com
As you can see things online have changed a lot in the past few years. Change in this case has been good – in fact change has to happen to improve things for the future.
In 2014 we wrote this:
If you want to bring a fundamental change in people’s belief and behaviour…you need to create a community around them, where those new beliefs can be practiced and expressed and nurtured.” [Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point, how little things can make a big difference]
We first used this quote in a blog post in March of 2013 on The Directory Page. A lot has changed since then but we still believe that being a part of a real community transcends price and speed and, maybe even convenience. It’s much bigger than these things.
It’s giving, taking, sharing, benefitting, encouraging, journeying and nurturing!
When we first wrote these words there was just us and a very small group of people reading them and taking notice. We have been patient, kept our focus have been part of a growing community over the last couple of years. The diversity of our written content on this site is testament to how we have connected with others around our town and borough. The growing numbers on Ballymena.community also highlight and are testament to how we have been building real community. We could be louder but our focus is on being honest with you and building something that lasts.
“The stuff that changes everything starts on the fringe, captures the imagination of a dozen, who bring along colleagues or friends, and then it’s a hundred and then…” [Seth Godin : source]
That’s the trajectory still we believe in… we’ve seen it work but, there’s still work to be done.