SOCIAL NETWORK STRATEGY FOR REGIONS, SECTORS AND PARTNERSHIPS
From separate networks to collective network strength
Valuable networks of employers, educational institutions, professionals, residents and other partners already exist around labour market and societal challenges. We reveal where these networks reinforce one another, which connections are missing and how their collective strength can be used more effectivelygrade.
How we build collective network strength
Understanding the challenge and target audience
We explore the challenge, the people you want to reach and what motivates them. This provides a clear picture of where reach, trust or connection is lacking.
Mapping the existing ecosystem
We map the employers, professionals, educational institutions, communities, partners and other networks already involved in the challenge, and how they are connected.
Bruggen en ontbrekende verbindingen vinden
We explore where networks already reinforce one another, which organisations connect different worlds and where valuable relationships are still missing.
Identifying key individuals and networks
We identify the people and organisations with access to the networks that matter to the challenge. These may include employees, students, alumni, volunteers, employers, professionals and other key individuals who are well placed to reach and connect people.
Mobilising people and networks
We gather relatable stories and experiences and use them in personal outreach, events, content and other engagement activities. This makes it clear and appealing for people to recommend someone, make a connection, get involved or sign up.
Organising, learning and embedding
We agree who is responsible for what, how contacts and registrations are followed up and where ownership lies. We monitor reach, engagement, connections, uptake and other relevant outcomes, using these insights to improve the approach and embed it within the partnership.
Each partner brings different relationships, reach and credibility.
It is precisely these differences that make the collective network stronger.
This allows each partner to retain its own role, community and identity, while the combined networks increase both reach and trust.
Not everyone needs to play the same role
Who can credibly reach whom?
Which relationships can make a difference?
What does it take to mobilise people through those relationships?
From a single challenge to lasting network strength
You can start small, focusing on one specific challenge. The relationships, stories, reach and trust you build along the way remain valuable for future challenges.
What types of challenges can this approach address?
Regional
labour market
Career changers, shortage occupations, sectors such as engineering and healthcare, and regional collaboration.
Education & inflow
Students, placements, career paths and career choices, in partnership with educational institutions.
Sector-wide collaboration
Connecting employers, industry bodies and public-sector partners to address shared labour market challenges.
Societal challenges
Volunteering, participation, integration and other societal challenges.
Employer networks
Attracting and retaining talent through existing relationships, employees and ambassadors.
How much control would you like to retain?
WE ORGANISE AND EXECUTE
What what you bring
For partnerships that want to outsource most of their network strategy and activation. We map the relevant networks and relationships, develop the strategy together and manage the activation.
What we provide
Research and network analysis.
Strategy.
Partner and ambassador activation.
Stories and resources.
Programme management
Measurement and improvement
Result: an effective network structure in which partners use their relationships strategically and strengthen them further throughout the programme.
YOU DELIVER, WE GUIDE
Strategic guidance
For partnerships, regions and sectors with the in-house capacity to handle implementation. We support the analysis and strategy, facilitate working sessions and develop a practical approach to network building and activation.
What we provide
Analysis and strategy.
Stakeholder sessions & workshops.
Network and activation approach.
Formats and resources
Guidance.
Meten en verbeteren
Result: you build the collective network strength around the challenge yourselves, supported by our methodology, expertise and guidance.
With either approach, we ensure that the networks, relationships and way of working can ultimately continue to develop independently within the partnership.
UIT DE PRAKTIJK
de Woonbrigade Haarlem
Onze opdracht begon met één vraag:
Hoe bereiken en activeren we meer mensen die zich voor de Woonbrigade willen inzetten?
Tijdens ons onderzoek zagen we dat veel bereidheid om iets voor een ander te doen al aanwezig was, maar via reguliere werving buiten beeld bleef.
Dezelfde sociale netwerken bleken bovendien toegang te geven tot huishoudens die moeilijk bereikbaar waren.
Who guides your programme
Michael Boud
Michael has over 25 years of experience in recruitment and labour market strategy. Drawing on his expertise in referral recruitment and network activation, he developed Social Network Strategy. He maps existing networks and relationships and translates these insights into targeted outreach and activation.
Maaike Willems
Maaike combines her background in recruitment and candidate experience with programme management expertise. She translates strategy into practical implementation, mobilises partners and people, and ensures activation is organised, followed through and embedded.
