In this Blog post I discuss the importance of Operational Networks. Although you may have a group of connections you call on when you need more information; we can become far more effective if we take advantage of Social Media tools.
The Operational Network
In my previous Blog post I talked in general about the three types of networks: operational, strategic, and social. In this post I talk specifically about the Operational Network looking at:
- What is an Operational Network
- Why you need an Operational Network.
- Who should be in your Operational Network.
- How to communicate with your Operational Network.
What is an Operational Network
An Operational also known as a Tactical Network includes the connections required to get the task done. Whether the connections are internal or external is irrelevant. The issue is finding the best solution in the shortest amount of time. It is drawing upon all necessary resources to reach that goal.
This network is not comprised of connections that can predict or hypothesize about the future. The Operational Network is fully involved in task completion with the best solution in the most timely manner.
Why You Need an Operational Network
Working solo has its limitations; Operational Networks can provide the resources that make working solo unnecessary. Whether you acknowledge it or not operational networks are a necessity; not an option.
The primary reason for the operational network is you simply cannot do it on your own. Whether you like to admit it or not you do need help, you need associates you can call upon when you need additional input or even validation of your ideas. You will never be as efficient working on your own as you are when you have people with whom you can collaborate.
Operational Networks Make Decisions More Timely, Efficient, and Complete
Your Operational Network will help you make better and more timely decisions, solve problems more efficiently, and remove issues that stand in the way of your completing a task. Operational networks can bring a skill set that may otherwise be lacking into the solution process. Your Operational Network can also provide that second or even third set of eyes necessary to review a solution and identify possible problems.
Who Should Be in Your Operational Network
Your Operational Network must consist of the internal and external people that are enablers of good decisions made in a timely manner. Your Operational Network may include some or all of the following examples:
- Supervisors;
- Peers;
- Subject Matter Experts (SMEs);
- Important Customers;
- Vendors;
- Tech Support;
- Team members;
- Accounting Department Employees;
- Sales Team Members;
- HR Employees;
- Marketing;
- Egineering;
- and so the list goes.
Everyone’s Operational Network will be different and must be comprised of those individuals that can help YOU answer your questions and the questions of your customers and ultimately help YOU achieve your goals.
How to Communicate with Your Operational Network
When you put together your Operational Network your ability to communicate effectively and timely is critical. Without this key component you do not have an Operational Network; it’s simply another list of connections.
In the past communication was done primarily using email and before that it was memos and telephone calls. We used the technologies available; but they were very Because of the inefficiencies of the available communications; we never included everyone we might like because it was simply too time consuming.
Today we have Social Media tools that enable us to collaborate much more easily. We can create private groups using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or other tools; that enable us to reach out to our entire group at one time and enables everyone to respond and each response to be see by every member of the group.
In the past we would rely heavily on the SME because of the challenges of communication; these groups eliminate those constraints and allow rapid and comprehensive communiques. It’s a different world and we need to learn how we can put these tools together to make each of us more effective.
Conclusion
Regardless of the size of your organization your ability to coordinate and collaborate with resources will stand out and demonstrate your team skills. Effectively using these tools within businesses and organizations is slowly happening; you have the chance to be a leader and demonstrate how this technology will only make you and your organization more effective.
——————-
Tom Staskiewicz speaks and coaches on Professional and Business Networking and how Social Media is a tool in that process. He helps businesses, organizations, and individuals understand the power of networking and recognize that networking is a tool for giving.
When you give value to your network; your network will give value back to you. Using today’s Social Media tools makes Professional and Business Networking more efficient, improves decisions, and enables you to respond more effectively to your audiences.
Do you want to be more effective with your Professional and Business Networking? Would you like to be making more “warm” contacts instead of “cold” calls? Contact Tom to learn more about how he can help you and/or your organization reach your networking goals.
Tags: better decisions, decision making, LinkedIn, team building
September 7, 2011 at 11:28 am |
Wow! That is an out of the ordinary slant.
September 9, 2011 at 11:08 pm |
Lorinda – How do you mean out of the ordinary? I would like to hear more of what you mean. Thank you for reading the article. Tom