Task 3a - Current Networks

What is Networking?

Networking' is a socioeconomic business activity by which groups of like-minded businesspeople recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities.(wikipedia)



During this task we are asked to look inwardly at the tools we currently use or could use in order to network or create a network. Networking is something i have got better at since running my own classes and found a certain amount of confidence is needed in order to interect directly with people. As i have said before i am not of a 'business mind' but things such as networking via social media have made it easier.

A network 

interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

a group or system of interconnected people or things.

(google translation)


What are the current and different ways (tools) that you have or do engage your professional network?

Below are a list of the tools i use to network - i would say i use them all professionally to keep in contact with my collegues and meet others, but i use most of these resources for personal use too.

facebook - specific groups for teachers and performers
twitter
email
google +
flickr
star now
blog
business cards
face to face meets at events

What are the established (and different) ways that others use their networks, especially if they are more established or experienced practitioners that you admire?

I know a lot of people who use LinkedIn and have found it extremely successful - a friend of mine recently created a profile and met some useful contacts, therefore propelling her into a job. However my husband used it last year when looking for a new job and found it unresponsive. I guess it can depend on your industry and the type of job you are looking for. I don't have a LinkedIn profile but for the purpose of this study i will be creating one out of interest.
My boss at Popdance Sue Wybrow attends something called 'a jelly' once a month where a group of business associates meet to work and network together at a local office or pub. I have been attending the last couple of these and have found them to be a fantastic way to meet others, whether they be in the same profession as you or not. At the last meet i went to i got chatting to a girl who teaches voice coaching - a little different to my forte of dance but we swapped teaching techniques and the discussed various different methods used to help children learn and it was great to hear another persons view on the same profession but a different subject. Sue has met many important contacts through these meets who have helped build the business in terms of our website building and marketing and it got me thinking - are face to face meetings still the best way to network rather than social media?
Having said that after starting a website forthe Saturday schools that i teach in, over 200 new pupils have enrolled and the school has expanded extremely successful. Perhaps customers prefer an online approach, its easy and can be done quickly, on your phone if needed. All the compnaies i work for have their own websites, i would say that is essential in bringing in clients.  But in terms of your own professional gain in terms of people talking about you and spreading the word, meeting others and actually getting your face and personality out there, rather than just your picture and blurb is more beneficial?
2 friends of mine perform in a cabaret act and have found facebook an ideal place to advertise - it was by posting their act on facebook that eventually led to their act performing in the Edinburgh fringe festival and i know from experience that suing certain groups in facebook is great for finding teachers for cover or one off jobs.

Are there methods, approaches and technologies that you use socially that might apply and help you develop your professional networking?

As i said above i use many of these tools socially such as Facebook, email and twitter, however i have separate professional and personal pages on Facebook and a professional and personal email accounts. I do think it is important to keep these things separated as a teacher; when talking to parents of children i teach i ensure to maintain a professional manner so that they are confident that i am the right person to be teaching their child and leave in my care. I try not to speak to formally to parents as i think it is also important to have a friendly relationship with them so they are able to talk to me directly about any problems. How i communicate online professionally, where i am talking and posting to parents and colleagues is obviously different to that of how i communicate and talk with my friends.
A friend of mine recently has become a real pioneer in networking after building her own business. She explained to me that she sees every social meet as a potential opportunity to network and meet others, and is confident enough to go up to people shes never met, introduce herself and explain what it is she does. Whilst she has become very successful through doing this i feel it is important to separate your social and professional life and by seeing every social event as a networking opportunity do you ever switch off?

When you reflect upon current networks, can you think about the motives of others to be in the network and what the value and purpose they have in mind?

I \am lucky enough to have a close group of friends who i work with. We are all dance teachers, working within the same company, we run parties, classes and events together but as well as working well together professionally, we see each other socially on a regular basis too. Our motive for being in this network is obviously for work but personal friendship too.

I have other associates who i only see due to work and therefore the motive is for work purposes - i am in regular teaching work but still dance in one off shows and events so i continue to get my face out there and remind contacts i have from previous jobs who i am! This year i was asked to choreograph for a professional panto (my first experience at such a vast choreographing opportunity) and have met an entire new group o f contacts. Its important to maintain (and i feel we do have) a good relationship and be friendly and warm to these contacts, but i only see them under professional circumstances rather than social. Their motive for being in this network is for work as is mine, and surely this is true of ,many. 2 of my bosses met recently and agreed to a 'you scratch my back i'll scratch yours' sort of deal and now advertise each other on their websites - their motive was to market and promote their dance school whilst helping someone else out - a good idea in an industry that can be very bitchy - it's important to make friends and remain loyal!

What would your ideal network look like and why? What realistic things could you do to develop your ideal network?

Honestly i feel the networks i have now are pretty ideal! I have a good group of friends who i work with professionally and see socially, and maintain good working relationships with contacts that i work or have worked with. Within the company Popdance, i work with people who have become friends - we all specialize in different areas - some in business and marketing, others in choreography and performance, therefore our network covers more than one industry, hopefully making us a strong network with the makings of a successful business! Below is us on a recent research trip in Paris. Image consent has been given.

In terms of my current work i am happy with the networks i am in, however in terms of developing i would say i would like ti help expand our current networks. Popdance as a company has aspirations to branch out into the fitness/sport industry as well as dance with hopes to becoming as bug as companies such as Zumba therefore we will need to expand our network to those in that industry. Personally i am hoping to go down the dance therapy route in the future therefore i will need to look at meeting new contacts who can help me join networks related to this field.


What tools and methods do you need to use? What do you know about your current and intended networks and importantly what do you not know?

I feel there is a mixture of tools and methods needed - a combination of face to face networking and the use of social media - they each have their own benefits. Tools such as facebook (as i mentioned previously and in earlier tasks) have been extremely beneficial due to its vast amount of users and ability to share and promote. Having a website is essential too and maintaining good relationships within your networks.
As i said i would like to expand my networks in terms of where my career may be headed and hope to continue to meet new people. I hope to learn more about the use of LinkedIn and becoming more confident at face to face networking meets.