1 People c onnecting with People Networking Stimulating connections More than systems More than current relationships Beyond your natural boundaries Accelerating the learning process Getting to people who know. Seeking Tacit Knowledge Seeking Explicit Knowledge

2 People c onnecting with People Networks Six Degrees of Separation? Organisations Directories Events Work Family Internet Asking Questions Other?

3 People c onnecting with People The power of knowing people before meeting them Business relationships flourish when personal details are shared. BPs Connect or Yellow Pages Knowledge Directories

4 Networking and Communities of Practice Knowledge sharing communities communities of interest communities of practice communities of commitment Life cycle Plan Launch Build Momentum Sustain? Close Grow? Collison, Chris., Parcell, Geoff. (2005) Learning to Fly, 2 nd Ed. Capstone Publishing, London

5 Enabling Vs Delivery Formality Value Enabling Delivery Intangible Measurable High Low Communities of Practice Communities of Commitment

6 Networking and Communities of Practice Quick wins come from sharing what we know Good idea to have a web site and discussion forum Decide whether the network is about individual or collective objectives or both Establish a clear, simple governing document Identify and refresh membership Collison, Chris., Parcell, Geoff. (2005) Learning to Fly, 2 nd Ed. Capstone Publishing, London

7 Networking and Communities of Practice Meet face-to-face and allow for socialisation Select a well respected and knowledgeable coordinator who promoted collaboration Use support from organisations and external mentors/coaches Keep knowledge valid, accessible and refreshed Collison, Chris., Parcell, Geoff. (2005) Learning to Fly, 2 nd Ed. Capstone Publishing, London