Social Networks & Why They Matter

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES TEAM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcmom

What is a social network?

Social Network = A particular social

structure• Nodes (actors)• Ties (connections)

- Awareness

- Influence

- Connector (Betweenness)

- Integration

2Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Volunteers?

Different kinds of structures

4Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Organization

Committee

Institution

Board

Coordinating Body

Constellation

CollaborativePartnership

TeamTask Force

PanelWorkGroup

Network

Structured

Unstructured

• Because networks enable:–Social capital (the most important

characteristic of resilient communities)– Ideation and innovation–Policy (formal and informal)– (Social) Learning and (social) change–New ways of organizing (barter,

broker, volunteer, exchange, enterprise)

–Models for and alternatives to insufficient systems

Why?

6Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Network Ecosystem

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Resilience- The Community and Regional Resilience Institute (CARRI)- The Institute of

Urban and Regional Development (IURD, Berkeley)

Social Change- Working Wikily

(The Monitor Group, Heather McLeod)

- CA Endowment- Social change (

Christakis, Fowler )

• Building depth in network (theory & practice) so we can bring this to our collaboration-based work.

• Analyzing social networks so we can assess and build their capacity to meet intent.

• Learning, promoting and building capacity in the practice of Network Weaving so we can be more intentional and strategic about our outreach and engagement efforts.

So what are we doing (& to what end)?

9Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

What kind of afternoon snack do you prefer? Popcorn

10Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Admin

Business and Industry Initiatives

Community Initiatives

Human Capital

Leadership

Other

Not Applicable

11

What is your greatest area of interest or focus when it comes to Southwest Oklahoma's economic and workforce development?

Not Listed

Central

Southwest

Southcentral

Legend:Region

This map show many people in the network wanting to act more collaboratively. Those interested in cultivating talent are almost completely from the southcentral region. Those interested in entrepreneurship are quite unconnected. This may be an area for development.

This map show many people in the network wanting to act more collaboratively. Those interested in cultivating talent are almost completely from the southcentral region. Those interested in entrepreneurship are quite unconnected. This may be an area for development.

Acting more collaboratively as a region, sharing information, assets, knowledge, etc.

Cultivating talent for existing and emerging advanced technology industries

Growing the regional culture of entrepreneurship

Would it make sense to convene this group? What would they be asked to do?

Would it make sense to convene this group? What would they be asked to do?

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Which of the following is most important to the region’s

growth?

Government

Non-profit

Education

Economic development

Business

Small business

Business support

Workforce

Other

Legend:Type of Organization

This map shows few people interested in health care and internet technology. Education and government dominate the

entrepreneurship group while business support organizations are absent.

This map shows few people interested in health care and internet technology. Education and government dominate the

entrepreneurship group while business support organizations are absent.

EntrepreneurshipHealth CareInternet Technology

Manufacturing

Oil and Gas

Military

With whom at CSW do you work most closely?

13Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Admin

Business and Industry Initiatives

Community Initiatives

Human Capital

Leadership

Other

Not Applicable

Unknown

Economic Development

Sustainability

Workforce

With whom do you have a contractual relationship (in a previous or current contractual relationship as a grantor/grantee/business

partner, or a future business development target)?

14Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org

Fields of practice on the business team

Human Capital

Other

Unknown

Which of the following organizations or initiatives do you engage with for discussions around policy

or strategy?

15Corporation for a Skilled Workforce 900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, MI www.skilledwork.org