Network Weaving

Improved connectivity is created through an iterative process of knowing the network and knitting the network

- Valdis Krebs and June Holly



We are all connected. These connections form networks. Some of them personal, some social others business others we may not even be aware of. So how do we take advantage of these networks in business?

Kerbs and Holly in their paper Building Smart Communities through Network Weaving
put forward the idea that it's all about knowing and then knitting your network. The more collaborations among the members of the network the more vibrant and more valuable it becomes.

In getting to know your network there are a number of general patterns that can be observed. The obvious ones being:

• Birds of a feather flock together
• The close by, form a tie

But there are other just as important patterns that strong, effective networks display. For example:

• Diversity maximises innovation (different ideas)
  
• Robustness (more people more connections)
  
• Prominent nodes or hubs (there are always brokers or well connected people)
  
• Many indirect links (don't rely on just one relationship)
  

By actively managing your relationships you can give it direction. Introducing people to each other that would not have normally met creates, knits, even stronger ties.

The paper is a great insight into how you can take an objective view of your own network and then identify areas that need improving.

I recommend you read the paper (it's a short one) and check out the web site www.networkweaving.com for case studies and the blog.

When you know where you are starting from it makes it a lot easier to get to where you want to be.