This is part of an occasional series on network design. A network leader challenge is remembering the network isn’t most people’s first priority, and it shouldn’t be. That’s why designing work groups well is critical to meeting both members’ and the network’s needs. Over the years, goal-setting and iterative design have helped me develop work groups that make […]
This is part of an occasional series on network design. One network leader challenge is remembering the network isn’t most people’s first priority, and it shouldn’t be. Another is navigating that the network has needs, too. Resources are limited, and finding ways to meet members’ requests without overburdening those resources is another part of network design. There are easy ways […]
This is part of an occasional series on network design. A network leader challenge is remembering the network isn’t most people’s first priority, and it shouldn’t be. I use these two principles to help me remember, members’ needs come first. Participating should be fun and easy, like riding a bike. But members’ needs aren’t the only needs […]
This is part of an occasional series on network design. Successful networks grow into a (nearly) self-sustaining cycle. That’s what gives them the staying power and benefits that emerge out of networks. A self-sustaining cycle like the water cycle. Networks work best when they foster a cycle of member generosity, reciprocity, mutual benefits, and natural alliances, all emerging […]
This is part of an occasional series on network design. A network leader challenge is remembering the network isn’t most people’s first priority, and it shouldn’t be. I use these two principles to help me remember, members’ needs come first. Placing members’ interests and needs at the center of your network’s design and your network’s activities gives people a […]
As we develop NEWHAB, we’re using short cycles of doing followed by reflection to quickly try out strategies and either make them better or decide they aren’t the right ones for us. Six months ago, we started our second round of “work groups,” having learned from some struggles on the first set. When I solicited co-conveners then, […]
All-volunteer organizations are tough. There is often a small core of volunteers ABSOLUTELY committed to the project, wanting help, and wondering where the help is. That certainly applied (and still applies) to the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition where I volunteer. We’re working to engage more people, and we ARE engaging lots more people. Of course, with more […]
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