This week I am an online mentor on the topic of "Effective Online Networking" as part of the Networking for Success project at the the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre. My opening post shared some ideas and tips.
I've been musing about one effectively (dare I use the word efficiently) nurtures relationships their networks? Amy B left a comment with a pointer to a terrific resource on how to build in networks. It's called Network Weaving (see their blog). What is network weaving?
A network weaver is someone who maintains the network linkages, in both the electronic and physical forms -whether for your own personal network or on behalf of an organization. (There are other roles in a network (see here). In this definition, a network weaver users social network analysis tools or maps to:
- Understand patterns in social networks
- Consciously facilitate connections to help make those networks stronger
Today, Oluwatoyin Ajao-Dawodu left a comment that clearly illustrates network weaving in a personal network:
I really believe so much in the power of "Networking" I have used networking to meet more people that share my feminism principle which has being a source of encouragement for me. I have used it to impact in people by sharing useful information that will help their career with them.
There's a wealth of wisdom in the comments and in other posts that I'd like to summarize:
Two fabulous women networkers here in the US -- Liz Strauss and Connie Bensen -- shared some very recent personal networking learnings. Connie gave some new tips. I particularly like the advice about getting out of your silo and exposing yourself to new fields, new ideas, and new people.
Liz Strauss shared her networking gems in the comments. My favorite "Meet friends by noticing people who have thoughts that intrigue you and begin by asking them to elaborate on what they said." Back on her blog, Liz invites people to answer this question - and help change the world. Karin added a tip about using your blog for personal networking.
I'm participating in this project because of two awesome women network weavers in Africa - Ore Somolu and Sokari Ekine. I met Sokari Ekine through her fantastic bridge blogging of the African blogosphere on Global Voices. I was a mentor on Ore's Blog Mentoring Project in Africa as Joitske Hulsebosch also writes about. I also had a chance to work with Ore through Nancy White and KM4DEV Journal on Technology Stewardship.
Ore Somolu, Executive Director of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre, reflected on the importance of quality versus quantity in building a network. That is most important to build it one relationship at a time. This jogged my memory about some fabulous personal networking hacks that Chris Brogan shared almost two years ago. (You'll find them summarized here along with some other resources suggested by Marnie Webb and others).
Alana sent me a link to her blog post via Twitter, "What would I tell women in Africa?" She offers her advice and also reaches out two people in her network Maggie (in Uganda) and Alan Clayton (recently back from a fairtrade tour) to check in and comment.
So, what are the soft skills for network weaving? I found a Network Weaver checklist from June Holley, one of the Network Weaving blog's contributors. What would you add to the list or how you adapt for personal networking?
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