Network Strategy - New Directions Collaborative

See and Engage the System

When bringing diverse people together to work on changing a system, they need a picture of the system as a whole and its parts. What traditional strategic planning often overlooks is how to get a sense of the whole “ecosystem” of players working in the same space and how to understand the dynamics of the systems we are working to change. We help clients explore the dynamics of the systems they are working to change, considering relationships, feedback loops, historical patterns, and assumptions/beliefs of key players. We use various lenses to consider what it will take to shift these systems to generate more equitable, healthy, sustainable outcomes. Our facilitation and meeting design techniques are critical here as understanding systems requires that you have multiple perspectives from various parts of the system engaged in the conversation and learning process.

Align Work at Various Scales

In planning strategy and aligning work among multiple organizations, it is helpful to have a framework to distinguish what happens at various scales. For example, any given organization operates within a sector, region, state, and national levels. The more clearly you can see how work at each scale relates, the more strategic you can be about leveraging the connections, thereby creating more transformative change. This blog provides more detail on ways to visualize what work happens at various scales and how governance structures can be designed to clarify, align, and coordinate this work so it is mutually reinforcing.

Clarify What You Do Best

“Do what you do best and link to the rest.” – This principal of network organizing is key. Once you have a sense of the “ecosystem” you are playing in and the larger systems you are working to change, the strategic question we help you answer is: what niche can your organization/network focus on to be most effective and add value? The answer to this question needs to be revisited on a regular basis as conditions change, work underway delivers results, other organizations take on new roles, etc. We help our clients bring rigor to their decision-making about strategic focus.

"Firestarter" Stories to Understand Network Strategies

Learning how other networks have organized and focused their activities is a quick and helpful way to frame strategy conversations in networks, especially since network organizing structures are newer to people. We share brief stories, with graphic illustrations and examples, of leading examples of networked collaboration in various fields. This provides a common language and understanding of network theory, presented in an accessible way that can spark thinking about how to design strategies that capture the full value and potential of networked collaboration.

Iterative Design

When working amidst complexity and constant change, we need ways of working together and structures that enable ongoing learning and adapting based on new developments and feedback and measurement of what is working and what is not. Strategic planning is about developing a clear sense of shared purpose and proposed focus for how that will be pursued, which is then honed and adapted based on the evolving experience, needs and priorities of the network and its members. This means viewing a strategic plan as more of a “living” document that you expect to return to and adjust over time to meet the overall goals. We help our clients develop action learning processes and skills that make strategic planning, reflection, and adjustments an ongoing vital process.

Testimonials

Beth brings a deep understanding of collaborative process and networks that has consistently helped us clarify our role as an evolving network. She has helped us to design and facilitate meetings for small (25 people) and larger groups (200) that are engaging, inclusive, and intentional. Our network partners report that they bring the facilitation ideas and techniques from those meetings back to their own work and communities.
– Erin Hardie Hale, PhD, Research and Network Coordinator, NH Food Alliance
Beth facilitated a thought-provoking training with about 30 professional staff about strategic questioning as a tool to strengthen connections and understanding of others and ourselves. Years later, we are still using the concepts she taught us as part of our daily work as educators and supervisors. Blending experiential activities with well-grounded theory, her workshops spur engagement, incite curiosity, and offer new insights.
– Ruth Abelmann, Director of Residential Life, University of New Hampshire
The participatory leadership skills that Beth teaches have been extremely valuable to me, both personally and professionally. I’ve been able to apply the tools I’ve learned in my work with stakeholders and collaborators. A key “aha” moment was appreciating that if I truly want systems change and buy-in from others, I need to let go in order for others to step up and lead.
– Chris Meehan, MBA, Chief Community Impact Officer, Vermont Foodbank
As a policy organization that is so focused on results, you keep us thinking about how to broaden our reach and strengthen the network for the long game. I really value your guidance on designing effective agendas for meetings that bring together multiple interests. I appreciate the reminders that there is a process for making people feel good and included, even if you don’t agree with them.
– Josh Craft, Energy & Climate Program Director, Environmental League of MA
Beth is a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind facilitator, systems-thinker and participatory leadership coach. She facilitated an inclusive process to bring people from 30 organizations, with divergent views, to align around strategies on how to move forward together. This helped us to drive systems change in one of our core issue areas. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
– Matt Prindiville, Executive Director, UPSTREAM
In my work to help schools understand and reduce their food waste, I have to bring many different stakeholders together. I’ve already used tools that I learned in Working in Collaborative Ways with a group of middle school students and at a regional environmental conference. The middle school teacher was amazed at how every student found a voice. At the conference, I was able to really engage with the conference attendees rather than just presenting to them.
– Diane Calvin, Founder and ED, foodSCAPE
Your facilitation techniques helped us bring together grassroots leaders who don’t usually meet to share viewpoints and get to deeper project discussions than we often see. The meaningful relationships started there have continued beyond the event. To make progress on complex issues of equity and justice, we need the kind of training you offer to help emerging leaders convene inclusive meetings where all voices are heard.
– Julia Dundorf, Executive Director, New England Grassroots Environment Fund