Networks and Networking

LinkedIn Isn’t Enough

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“I’m on LinkedIn. Isn’t that enough networking?”

Truth be told: this question still makes me wince. But it’s a fair question. Awareness of networks is so new that, when we talk about networks, most people think of Facebook and LinkedIn. What’s the difference?

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and similar programs are tools that are used to help you interact with your network. You connect with colleagues, friends, and people who share interests with you (maybe you both “like” chocolate on Facebook or you both belong to the Linked:HR group). Facebook and LinkedIn give you pictures of your first degree of connection. LinkedIn also shows you your second and third degrees of connection.

Experiential Activity on Organizational Networks in the 2011 Pfeiffer Annual

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For the last 40 years, the Pfeiffer Annuals have provided consultants with the latest thinking, approaches, and techniques in the field. Research and Markets, the world’s largest market research resource, has just added the Annuals to their online offerings. Partnering Resources is proud to have been featured in the 2011 Consulting Annual with the “Networks at Play” activity. This short, interactive, fun activity helps participants learn about organizational networks. More information about the Annual can be found here. For a free copy of the activity, contact us.

Your Turn: Did the Change Work?

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Test Your Change Leadership Knowledge

It’s your turn to make the decision. Test your change leadership knowledge through this quick self-directed learning activity.

In this 1-page case study, the new Executive Director of a nonprofit organization needs to decide how well his change initiatives have been implemented and what his next steps should be. You have information about the change initiatives and data about how people collaborate.

Who’s at Risk?: Evaluating Burnout through Organizational Networks

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Burnout - iStock

It’s your turn to make the decision.

In this 1-page case study on Board Development, a nonprofit organization needs to find the rising stars among its volunteer pool and identify who’s at risk for being over-burdened. You have the volunteer structure, the volunteers’ work patterns, and organizational networks data.

Who do you think is at risk?

Free Team Communication Activity: Learning from Organizational Networks

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Networks at Play is a short experiential activity that introduces participants to the concepts of hidden social networks and of critical connectors. It’s a fun, fast way to help participants understand how information flows in teams and how networks affect effective communication. We’re proud to announce that “Networks at Play” was just published in the 2011 Pfeiffer Consulting Annual. For your free copy, click here (PDF).

"Who Trumps How": How to Use Organizational Networks to Improve Succession Planning

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Succession planning is a great idea. All too often, though, it fails to deliver on its promises by promoting the wrong person into the job.

The problem is that the people making the decision use the information they have at hand about the person’s knowledge, skills, and experience in the company. That sounds good, but it’s missing something important: the relationships.

People get things done in organizations through people. And if the relationships aren’t strong, the person won’t succeed.

Check out this quick slide show to see a story of succession gone wrong, and why, through the lens of organizational networks.

Organizational Networks for Nonprofits

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There’s been a lot of buzz about network analysis in nonprofits. But what can it really do for you? This short article on Nonprofit Network Analysis answers frequently asked questions about organizational networks, such as:

  • What types of questions can be answered by a network analysis?
  • What are the requirements for a successful study?
  • What does the organization receive as a result of participation?

Read Nonprofit Network Analysis (PDF).

Measuring the Intangible through Organizational Networks

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There are many ways to evaluate culture, collaboration, employee morale, team performance, and the impact of restructuring. But it’s difficult to measure all five at once without over-stressing the organization. The National Braille Press successfully used organizational networks and network analysis to evaluate its progress and identify simple but effective improvement actions. Read National Braille Press White Paper to find out how they did it.

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