Welcome to The People Behind the Programs, a CMX blog series celebrating the people who bring communities to life around the world.

Today, we meet Matthew Hall, Digital Communities Manager for SOLIDWORKS at Dassault Systèmes, based in Colchester, Vermont. Matthew's journey from Vermont to global community management is driven by a passion for sharing knowledge and connecting with others.

From embracing a "sharing is power" philosophy to managing diverse digital platforms, Matthew's story offers a personal look at the work behind thriving communities. Let's hear his story in his own words.

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How It Started

Early in the 21st century, while living in a remote area of NW Vermont, USA, I found myself working more from home and yearning to stay connected with others. My mentor, based in the Canary Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa, taught me a valuable lesson: leave behind the 20th-century notion that "knowledge is power" and embrace the idea that "sharing is power." This shift in mindset helped me build credibility, reputation, and value.

To achieve this, I integrated into online communities, and my career naturally followed this path. I've never looked back since.

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A Day in the Life

I live by the mantra "Community is everywhere," which means I'm constantly engaging across various platforms, not just our own 3DEXPERIENCE platform. My goal each day is to connect, engage, and assist our passionate user base. It's a dynamic role that keeps me bouncing from one platform to another, ensuring that our community feels supported and valued.

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The Tools that Power My Work

One of the key elements of my work is our strong Champions and User Group network programs. The community of champions and user group leaders help to build, promote and add value to our offerings. Their collective voices and real experiences bring credibility to our messaging, far beyond what any executive could achieve alone. They spark at the IRL events that feeds the ongoing fire in our online communities.

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Advice for Newcomers

My advice is simple: never give in to the desire to engage with trolls. Focus on doing your best and remember that you can make some people happy some of the time, but trying to please everyone will lead to failure.

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Resources I Suggest

Any content shared online by Richard Millington is worth consuming. Additionally, lean into your teammates for both practical and mental support.

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💬 Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love to hear from fellow community builders.

💡 The People Behind the Programs is a blog series that shines a light on the community professionals powering impactful programs around the world. Want to share your story or nominate someone doing incredible community work? Submit your spotlight here.

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Are you passionate about building communities?

‍Join the movement, start a CMX Connect chapter in your city or virtually and become a local leader in the global community industry. 👉 Apply to become a chapter director