Networked membership organisations are often still operating the way they did last century, especially in the UK, where a closed attitude to innovation hampers both growth and change. Here we explore a UK perspective to some of the old network organisations, and how things have moved on, often leaving old school organisations struggling to stay relevant. We should also mention the attack now needed on the original blight of "lazy" network organisations: the fear that throwing out the "bad practitioners" will have a negative affect on public relations and organisational reputation, whereas in the 21st century the opposite is often true.

1. Modernising Membership
Organisations
A Proposal for Change
By Peter Jones of
Blue Oyster Business Growth
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 1

2. 20th Century Networks
Business Needs, Membership Models
Network Raison D'etre
Variable Facilitatation: Skilled, Lucky, Rudimentary or Just Missing
Very Variable Business Service Provision
(Except at top echelons)
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 2

3. 21st Century Networking
Stage 1 – US / Military
Noise Levels, Self Promotion, Self Aggrandisement,
Mis-Selling, Command Chains, Who Do You Know
Some Skilled Personal Facilitation:
Service Ratings, Matching Needs to Service Provision,
Needs Analysis, Wants Management
More Selective Business Service Provision
(now better at mid-echelon service providers)
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 3

4. 21st Century Networking
Stage 2 – UK / Full Social
Better Signal Levels, Specific Apps at Leading Edge, SaaS
Services Targeted More to Needs, Initiative / Project Led Thinking
Better Accessibility incl. Investment Funds, Better Visibility Levels
Skilled Facilitation: Service Rating Apps, Service Seeking Apps
Skilled Social Networking, Matching Needs to Products & Services,
Needs Analysis, Wants Management, Hipster-Hacker-Hustler
Very Selective, Accessible & Affordable Business Service Provision
(now available to ALL echelons of business service provider)
More demanding customers at all levels seeking quality & channels
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 4

5. Current Networking Issues
● Signal to noise ratio
● Lack of skilled networkers / facilitators
● Too many small businesses have not kept up
● Many mid-tier businesses have not kept up
● Risk averse UK managers won't try new Apps
● Facilitation is not valued / rewarded enough
● Continuing poor connections with audiences
– Even Bill Gates is highlighting this in teaching !!!
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 5

6. The Way Forward
● Educate / train small and mid-tier businesses & networks
– Project / initiative mindset, open communication, team structures
– Strong market focus; collaborative, core messages, network wide
● Audience feedback as a critical core comms strategy
● “Recruit” skilled networkers / facilitators
– Specifically value & reward facilitation
● Share rewards with “door openers” and “opportunity creators”
● Twin options to trial a way forward & cut admin costs
– Trial different Apps to improve signal to noise ratio
– Use existing social media platforms strategically
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 6

7. About Peter Jones
● Blue Oyster Business Growth
– Strategy, troubleshooting, startup, corporate
– Business process, project management (eg Trello, MS Project)
● Founded as a rapid growth vehicle focused on innovation
● Our associates offer the full “Hipster, Hacker, Hustler”
– Ie Ideation, tech platform, investor, alternate funding
– Large associate support network; London Startup active
● Twenty year “blue chip” corporate career: IT, BA, PM
● Full Training Qualifications (early 2015 – feedback good)
Content: @innov8tor3 (c) Blue Oyster L.E.S. Ltd 2014 7