Networking tools

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How to consider which communication tools to choose for networking

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Choosing tools for network communication and collaboration

How to decide what network tools you may need
1 What is your network for?
You can’t decide what tools to use with your network until you know what the network is for, in relation to the core organisation. Some membership networks are there to provide support to the core, through subscription, volunteering, and enabling the fundraisers to quote numbers. Others benefit members more extensively through events, publications and other services provided centrally. Another type of network would be designed for members to form interest groups. Some other networks are even more distributed - with the emphasis on informal learning, making contacts and developing ad hoc groups around projects. Think purpose - what is it for; people - who is it for; then process - methods and tools. All this will be influenced by the context - what’s happening in the world, what sort of culture you are operating in.

2 How is your network controlled?
Different types of networks have structures that reflect control. The “mailing list” network is a hierarchy controlled from the centre. Networks with clusters around networks will have some central and other connections - but won’t be wholly centrally controlled. More dispersed networks may not have any central control - though they may need support from different places (nodes) in the network.

3 What sort of communication and collaboration? What tools and methods?
In order to think about tools, you need to thinks about the two issues above - purpose, structure - but then in more detail about the functions of communication and collaboration in networking. The four main communication functions are likely to be: Getting information, Communicating, Collaborating, Publishing/promoting. In order to benefit everyone in the network, tools need to work at a personal level, and then within the core, with key stakeholders, and wider communities.

4 Where is the main focus? One platform and set of tools, or a number?
If the network type is hierarchical - “join us” - then the focus for tools will on communication and collaboration within the core, then publishing to others. If the network type is more distributed - “join up” - that the aim will be for all members of the network to be capable of getting information, communicating, collaborating, publishing. They will be doing that across other networks they are involved with.

David Wilcox [email protected]

Choosing tools for network communication and collaboration

What is your network for?
Purpose - what is the purpose of the network, for the organisation and members? Profile? Learning? Collaborative projects?

Purpose
Co nte xt

Co nt ex
Process, methods, tools - what mix of face-to-face, online, multimedia methods will be needed over time: used by the core and members?

Processes, methods, tools

t

People

People - who are the stakeholders? What are their preferences and skills? What is the culture of the organisation ... and among members?

Context

Context - what is the context within which the organisation and its members are working? What’s happening in the world

Key issue 1: think first about the purpose of the organisation and network .... then the people ... then process, methods, tools. Key issue 2: technology is part of the context: the world is changing fast.
Thanks to Ann Holmes

David Wilcox [email protected]

Choosing tools for network communication and collaboration

2 Who is in control of your network?

Key issue: network types reflect control. Different types need different tools for information, communication, collaboration.

David Wilcox [email protected]

Choosing tools for network communication and collaboration

3 What sort of communication and collaboration - with whom? Using what methods?
Finding information Personal knowledge
Searching for and organising info on your computer • Searching • organising • sharing • signposting information on behalf of others • Email • Blog? • Instant Messaging? Better than email • Intranet? • Instant Messaging? Better than email? • IM? • Blog? • Email lists? • Blog? • Forums? Centralised or distributed? One to many or many to many emphasis? Can use above tools but how capable confident are people? Commitment to share? • Email • Instant Messaging? • Wiki pages? Team workspace • Proprietory? • Wiki? Shared workspace? • Portal web site? • Aggregator of blogs? Blogs, web sites - but how best to link? Ways to handle • Promotion • updates • articles • books Web, blog, email?

Communicating

Collaborating

Publishing

Issues

Internal - core organisation

Internal capacity will determine external options Relationships determine scope for tech. collaboration How top-down, or bottom-up?

Key stakeholders

Wider communities

Issues

Centralised or distributed throughout the network?

Key issue: the online capability and culture of the core organisation will determine what is technically realistic with stakeholders and the wider community. The degree of trust and relationships between different interests will substantially determine what works and what doesn’t.

David Wilcox [email protected]

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