Customer Reviews

Net Work: A Practical Guide to Creating and Sustaining Networks at Work and in the World

5 star:		(4)
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3 star:		(1)
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I've just finished reading "Net Work: A Practical Guide to Creating and Sustaining Networks at Work and in the World" by Patti Anklam , who is a recognised practitioner in network analysis circles. The central theme is we work through informal and formal networks, which may be tangible or intangible, but all have value. Her primary assumption is that all networks can be mapped. These maps serve to describe the network and provide a diagnosis of the health of the mapped entity, albeit the map is a snapshot in time. Patti's premise is if the network can be mapped and described then the network can be managed and weaved - a premise I largely agree with, and which is an underlying assumption in my research .

"Net Work" has a five-star rating on the Amazon site and other book sites. Personally I would give it three and a half stars, as in some areas I think it a bit shallow. For example, it purports to be a practical guide but there are few examples of questions and even fewer how to examples. I also think the absence of a chapter on network measures and metrics is a major deficiency.

That said it is a useful adjunct to other books like Rob Cross's "The Hidden Power of Social Networks: Understanding How Work Really Gets Done in Organization", and Verna Allee's "The Future of Knowledge: Increasing Prosperity through Value Networks". Indeed one of the features of Patti's book is the linking of social and organisational network analysis techniques with value network analysis. This approach is similar to HolisTech®'s Business Network Analysis methodology . She also manages to weave David Snowden's Cynefin framework into the book. All in all Patti has reconfirmed my belief that networks matter.

Regards, Graham

Patti Anklam, well known as a top consultant in social (or organizational) network analysis, has produced an excellent book on the topic that looks at the work that is required to make networks work effectivele. We hear so much these days about networks and yet few people have the expertise or knowledge required to effectively diagnose, create, sustain or utilize them effectively. This book is a hands-on guide to creating and growing networks and how they can be used to drive new value in organizations.

What most attracts me to Patti Anklam's book Net Work is that it so pragmatic. There are far too many business books that ultimately offer few insights into specific actions to take. Net Work both provides a deep understanding of the nature of networks, and also practical steps on how to tap their value.

Patti has also achieved something important that I don't think has been done well before: provide an overview of the many different facets of network thinking and methodologies that are relevant to organizations. Through her own broad personal network, she is familiar with and been able to draw on the thinking of Rob Cross in organizational networks, Verna Allee in value networks, Valdis Krebs in network analysis, Laurie Lock Lee in industry networks, Dave Snowden in complexity, Mark Bonchek in network facilitation and far more.

Taking the subheadings in Chapter 3 on Purpose, Patti has provided a nice overview of the different types of networks, from the lens of what they are trying to achieve:
IDEA NETWORKS
Innovation
Advocacy
LEARNING NETWORKS
Interest and information networks
Communities and networks of practice
Professional associations
Research networks
Local service-oriented nonprofit organizations
Global networks
Regional economic networks
BUSINESS NETWORKS
Supplier networks
Alliances, partnerships, and trade associations
Independent business and consulting networks and alliances
Customer user groups
Leadership networks
Strategic change

To focus in on just one key insight developed in detail in the book, Chapter 7 on Net Work: Design covers the critical issue of how to design networks to support their purpose. This is something I think is often missing in network efforts, or is undermined by poor understanding of how networks function. Over the next years the practice of network design and leadership (I don't think management is the right word here...) will become increasingly prominent.

Patti has done a great job here. A highly recommended book for anyone who wants to understand network thinking and practice, or to implement initiatives to create value through networks.

I highly recommend this practical, well written exploration of both the concept of "net work" and the approach to making social networks visible and levergeable. Ms. Anklam uses plain language to describe a fairly complex topic, turning this into a valuable resource to build common understanding and collaboration between business people, knowledge management, and human resource professionals. The information and topics are presented gradually and in a reasonable sequence, building on one another so as not to overwhelm the reader - very much a learning approach. Where the book also excels is in helping the reader translate theory into meaningful action through practical suggestions for effective action leadership. In reading the book, one of the things I was most struck by was the first line in the Acknowledgements: "It takes a network to write a book, and a book creates a network." To me this is first of many things that point to Ms. Anklam actually leveraging the core concept of the book, working through networks, to create the end product.

For me, some of the thought provoking sections: The Sum of the Ties: Structural Metrics (starting on page 72), the connections to relationship intelligence and collaboration inherent in Chapter 5 - Style, and Chapter 8 - Examination, and Chapter 9 - Net Work: Change and Transition.

In summary, this is a great resource for anyone looking to tap into that part of the "knowledge iceberg" that is below the waterline.

This book is very clearly written, and has very insightful as well as practical information about social networks.