Author: Claire Valentine, Training Manager
TFPL Intelligent Resources
We enjoyed an interesting event last night on how best to develop networks both in the traditional sense and also utilising the latest social media tools. Our event was presided over by Iain Simpson who introduced our speakers and provided the continuing thread throughout the evening.
Julia Hordle stood in for the billed speaker Andrew Beurschgens who was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Julia has worked closely with Andrew and the UK chapter of the Competitive Intelligence forum (UKCIF) for many years and gave some really good pointers on what it takes to develop a traditional network using the methods they had employed to develop UKCIF.
The key points that I took away from this were that action is all important, particularly the willingness to give and share information along with an enthusiasm and energy to keep the interaction going. UKCIF started out with an 8 person group who were not afraid to go out to the rest of the community, through their own individual contacts and try something out. With very little funding they were able to set up a website and utilising different communication channels, including social media tools.
Following on from this was Jemima Gibbons, a social media strategist. Jemima introduced the group to several new ways to get the most from the popular social media tools such as twitter and LinkedIn. She also suggested a 5 point plan on how to develop your own social media communication strategy and develop your own online network. The most important point for me here I think was to develop your own story and not just use it as a corporate broadcasting tool. Interact with others, replying to, commenting on others comments and questions.
The aspect that I think brings both of these presentations together is the motivation to act and a key aspect of encouraging others to interact and to share their own thought and information is to start sharing information yourself. Full details of both presentations will be available in the member's area of the TFPL Connect site very shortly.
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