The NetWorks! Model
We believe that the overall goal of any networking activity must be measured by it’s ability to create transactions for our members. Typically, transactions (business) will occur in a “one on one” environment. Therefore, the final goal is to facilitate those opportunities. To that end……….
NetWorks! recognizes that, in order to provide the most complete networking experience, and opportunities, for our membership, several methodologies must be employed:
Group Organization
It is important to point out that NetWorks! Boise is not a “member run” organization. Members make the group, however, the responsibility for all group functions is borne by the company. We feel that this is an important component that leads to the overall success of our groups. The fact is, the best members in any group are also likely to be the busiest. As such, asking them (even on a rotating basis) to assume group leadership roles is counter productive to their best use of time. Also, as this is a business, we have a vested interest in exceeding member expectations in regard to both services and return on member investment. It just works.
Business-Social NetWorking
This segment is fulfilled by the weekly NetWorks! meeting that is a smaller group focused on the business of business.
Social-Business NetWorking
These opportunities will typically be held in a larger setting found outside of the NetWorks! group itself. It provides our members with the chance to meet and socialize with other business professionals and to expand their networking circle. The monthly “Smoke Out” event is such an activity and we have entered into a collaborative agreement to participate, and perhaps help to sponsor, this event. Our members are encouraged to attend other similar events such as those held by local Chambers of Commerce and these opportunities are posted to the Event Calendar, as are all group activities, that can be found on this site.
Business-Social & Social Media
Web based social media would be considered the new kid on the networking block. Our goal is to embrace this technology with a vigor perhaps not found with other groups of our nature. NetWorks! does make a distinction, and place an emphasis, on what we perceive to be Business-Social rather than Social Media tools.
Members will be encouraged to:
- Utilize the functions offered by this web site
- Allow the use of their company information, their appropriate contact information, and links to both their websites and public profiles
- Establish an account on LinkedIn, professionally complete their profile, create a public profile, and permit a link from this web site to that public profile
- Provide links from the member’s LinkedIn profile back to this web site
- Where appropriate, add their LinkedIn public profile link to their electronic communications to others
LinkedIn: We see great value with a tool of this nature. As such, we have established a NetWorks! LinkedIn Group that will be private and secure for NetWorks! members only. This will be an excellent vehicle for promoting member interaction through the Question/Answer capabilities. Additionally, we will be assisting our members in the most effective use of this tool.
FaceBook: Each NetWorks! Boise group has a dedicated group page on FaceBook that is both private and secure. This site is used to share links and for confidential collaboration between members.
Dedicated Group Websites: These have been established as the “public face” for each group and also for each individual group member.
We will continue to investigate and evaluate other social media tools such as Twitter and will introduce those to our membership that we find to be appropriate. As with all NetWorks! activities, it’s all about results. It’s all about R.O.I!
Web Based CRM: Each group is provided with a password protected and secure CRM where individual business opportunities are entered, tracked, and updated.
