1. June Holley, Network Weaver june@networkweaving.com January 2010
Network Basics
June Holley, Network Weaver
January 2010

2. What do we mean by networks?
Networks are sets of relationships and the patterns they create
These patterns influence the quality of communication and the likelihood of collaboration and innovation

3. Network Basics Nodes Link Connected pair Isolates Directional link
Triangles
Open
Closed
Before we look at your maps, we need to go over some of the terminology used in social network analysis. First, squares on the maps -- which represent people - are called nodes. The lines between nodes mean there is some kind of relationship, and this is called a link. When two nodes are connected, connected pair. Someone who is not connected to anyone on the map is an isolate. Some of the maps we will see in the afternoon with show directional links…when I answer that I work with another person, the map will show an arrow point from me to that person. One of the most important ways to improve a network is to find open triangles - situations where I know two people who do not know each other - and close them by introducing those two people to each other.
Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

4. What do we mean by networks?
Big “N” networks
Little “n” network
Catalytic
Circle
Network

5. We Need Different Lenses
Network Lens
Organizational Lens

6. The Organizational Lens
Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

7. The Network Lens
Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

8. A tree can only get bigger

9. …it can also be chopped down!

10. Rhizomatic plants spread and grow
Woods of bamboo -- always growing larger AND expanding the woods . And, if you feed one bamboo, interesting thing is that the nutrients are

11. …because they are connected by vast networks of support
There is a thick mat of rhizomes connecting the bamboo.. Spread nutrients, and if you chop one bamboo down , the nutriets can combine in different ways to result in a new sprout that perhaps is more adaptable than the old.

12. Organization ~ Network
Kristen- inter-org … authority issues… how info & power flows, what influence look s like… lewis partnership & coll..how to… improving what they do… moving bold ideas thru disparate people… engagement… all stakeholders..so busy.. How get them to participate to tipping… rmelody..more explicit when use examples of new kinds leadership, more open to ideas new leaders , organic --move this into change, know the patterns, less about how actual transfer happen… mike.. Rigs..what do we do next … when work w partnerships tend to want to move to organizational model… this group resp and do planning… behave more like networks…redundancy

13. What is the Function of Your Network?
Learning
Network
Policy Network
Catalytic Network
Do Network (Implementation)

14. What do we mean by Networks?
NETWORKS W/ FORMAL ELEMENTS
INSTITUTION-ALIZED NETWORKS
INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
SELF-ORGANIZING NETWORKS
‘NETWORKING’
Ask June to talk to big N, little n distinction
INFORMAL Network
FORMAL Organization
Adapted from Taschereau & Bolger (2007) Chart by Monitor Institute

15. Why analyze networks? Improve information flow Increase communication
Increase awareness of relationships
Increase inclusion & peer interaction across traditional divides
Open new resources
Expand and support leadership
Encourage innovation, collaboration & learning for better outcomes and breakthroughs
Increase the chance of spread of good ideas/practices

16. Smart Networks: Networks most helpful in promoting collaboration & innovation
Network Structure
Core consists of clusters w different perspectives who know & trust each other
Periphery draws in new ideas & resources
This represents a Field of Potential for action
What does all that have to do with networks? Another network analyst and I looked at networks from hundreds of successful commmunities. Those that were char of these successful regions looked like this. They had core of clusters --counties, types of organizations…. People in the core may not have worked with everyone but they knew about them and could draw on them for projects in the region. More in the core , more in the thick of things, hearing about what is going on and taking part in key activieis. Other part that communities often forget about is the periphery. These are people you do not interact with regularly but are very important resources--people who share new ideas when you go to a conference, foundations with resources you can access, people in other communities who have tried some new approaches that you can learn from.

17. Characteristics of Smart Networks
Self-Organized Action
Many people initiate experiments & collaborations
Move from small acts to larger
Breakthroughs from diversity
Successful innovations spread

18. Support Emergence and the Tipping Point
1000
Projects
Emergence of
Collaborative
Region
Entrepreneurs
Tipping Point to
Self-Organization vv v 50
2006
1993

19. Be Rhizomatic!
Every act contains the nutrients for many additional acts: training, network connections, seed resources

20. Network Strategies + Self-Organizing Experiments + Rhizomatic Acceleration = Transformation

21. Network Weaver
A Network Weaver is willing to take responsibility for making the network more effective by increasing the quantity and quality of connections.

22. Characteristics of Smart Networks
Network Weavers & Guardians
Much capacity building, skill building
Trust building activities
Facilitation of initial actions
Creation of support structures & communication systems (esp Web 2.0)

23. Network Weaver Take the Network Weaver Checklist
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