In this issue
Networks, alliances, coalitions, value chains, etcetera..: nobody escapes from the reality that the dynamics that matter are no longer confined to organisations or projects. This issue will focus on managing these networks and Ger Roebeling, trainer of the Active Network Management (ANM) course will introduce you to the topic. Other topics are:
- Invitation for the next NewsLetter
- Give your Feedback on our website
- Energiser
- Global Compact Certification
- Join our latest discussions
- Upcoming events and courses
Interview with Ger Roebeling
Ger, can you explain why networks can be difficult to manage?
"Many people who are involved with managing networks experience how interests regularly contradict. There are so many actors involved. It is no longer the boss within one's own organisation giving direction to the project, but network managers considering the visions of everyone involved."
What do you think is key for managing networks successfully?
"It starts with entrepreneurship and creativity of each individual! Also each member needs to be enthusiastic to contribute and feel responsible for the results of the project. In other words there needs to be a shared ambition: both content-wise as a will to work together. A tool that illustrates this is the Circle of Coherence."
Does it mean current management tools are no longer valid?
"Management tools take a hierarchical position as the starting point. Management in organisations do not necessarily have to show leadership competencies. Though, in a network you have to show leadership (shaping direction with multiple inputs) and free actor behaviour (providing space for all) in order to be succesful."
How is MDF contributing to the current debate about network management?
"On April 13th we are organising an expert meeting in cooperation with PSO and Dr. Eelke Wielinga. We invite (network) practitioners to exchange experiences and views. Also we developed a learning track named Active Network Management taking place from 13 - 24 June. You can join up to four modules, each lasting two or three days: Dynamics, Facilitation, Leadership, and Accountability."
Can you recommend our readers further reading?
"Read about Networks with Free Actors here. I would recommend our Dutch readers to visit the website of Dr. Eelke Wielinga."
Invitation for the next newsletter
No organisation is perfect. Some perform better than others. Why is this? Are you wondering about what creative steps you can take to find solutions? Then e-mail Chiel de Wit, senior trainer/ consultant. He will answer a few of them in the next issue. To get inspired visit the Creativity in Organisational Problem Solving course website.
Give your Feedback on our website
Fill out our questionnaire here. It will take about 5 - 10 minutes and among you we will raffle 10 booklets: Break the Ice, Energise! We mostly appreciate your experiences and ideas, so join the questionnaire.
Energiser
From the booklet Break the Ice, Energise: A knotty problem - Working together is groups
1) Ask participants to stand and form a tight circle.
2) Ask them all to raise their left arm in the air and their right arm straight forward.
3) Tell the participants to lower their left arm and grab someone else's right hand. Once the contact is made, they are not allowed to break it.
4) The participants are to untangle themselves without breaking their grip on each other. Eventually, they could end up in a circle again..
Good luck!
Global Compact Certification
Last year MDF has become a member of the UN Global Compact and we are happy to announce that recently the 'Communication on Progress' (COP) has been submitted. Find out more about MDF and Global Compact on our website and on UN Global Compact.
Join our latest discussions
Md. Rahmatullah: Hi Hans, This is Rahmatullah Faruque from Bangladesh, a participant of PPMA course in April2010. Nice initiatives indeed to open a...
Md. Rahmatullah: How can we enrich the local government mechanisms to ensure good governance while broad based democratic culture now a days has been a very...
Louke Koopmans: Most Significant Change - what are your experiences with this method? In the Project Cycle Management Course we will discuss and apply...
Irma Alpenidze: What are your experiences of enabling learning from Monitoring and Evaluation?
Upcoming events and courses
Expert meeting: Network Approaches and Alliance Management
Utrecht, 13 April 2011
How are you dealing with networks? Are you effectively managing them? We challenge you as network practitioners to share your experiences and views!
Learning Track: Active Network Management
Ede, 13 - 24 June 2011
Join all four modules and receive 20% discount on the course fee, or join two/three modules and receive 10% discount on the course fee.
- Module 1 - Dynamics:analyse managing network dynamics, and discover different intervention strategies.
- Module 2 - Facilitation: competencies needed as a facilitator to choose and facilitate intervention strategies.
- Module 3 - Leadership: personal competencies and skills training of free actors in networks.
- Module 4 - Accountability: accountability of networks in terms of result frameworks on the outcomes of the network, ánd results on the functioning of the relationship.
Course: Group Facilitation
Ede, 6 - 10 June 2011
Become a successful facilitator, knowing how to create mutual understanding among participants. This will help you to achieve consensus and find workable solutions.
Course: Value Chain Facilitation
Ede, 7 - 10 June 2011
Join the course to learn structuring the facilitation process, identifying competencies and applying effective tools for successful value chain development.
Course: Value Chain Finance
Ede, 13 - 16 June 2011
By the end of the course you will be able to recognise the financial flows within value chains and analyse the financing needs along the value chain.
