Why peer networking is a S.N.A.P. at DWG Member Meetings

Dear Diary,

One of the things our members frequently rave about is DWG’s ‘live benchmarking’. This is an activity that has been part of our kick-off approach at Member Meetings for many years now. Attendees are always amazed to see just how quickly a group of strangers can come together to share and learn through this exercise, which effectively sets a tone for active sharing and peer consulting for the two-day meetings, and beyond. They also find it a powerful window into what’s trending in digital workplaces – the good, the bad and the ugly. We’ve even had members express that it provided the path to discovering their tribe!

Invariably, conversations flow into a discussion about the origin of the live benchmark. Like our members, you too might start to wonder about just that.

Well, the story is a simple one. It was inspired by a technique I was introduced to long ago by an organization called CEO Space International, which is an entrepreneurial coaching and mentoring organization. The technique is called S.N.A.P.

S.N.A.P. (Super Networking Accelerating Potential)

S.N.A.P. is a networking process used at CEO Space events and conferences. It involves the following pattern 1,3:

• Participants open conversations by asking: “What do you need to advance your business and how can I help?”
• Instead of a traditional elevator pitch, participants give impromptu “S.N.A.P. pitches” about their business and needs.
• Other participants and faculty mentors then offer connections and advice, aiming to help with the stated needs.
• There is a focus on cooperative networking, knowledge sharing and mutual support, without any direct selling.

The S.N.A.P. aims to accelerate the potential of entrepreneurs and businesses through collaborative networking, and the sharing of resources and expertise.1, 3 It helps fellow entrepreneurs to foster success through cooperation over competition1.

How the S.N.A.P works

• Participants gather in small circles or at meal tables. 1,2
• One person acts as the “runner”, going from circle to circle.
• The runner shares their “S.N.A.P. pitch” about what they are working on and what help they need.1
• Others in the circle then offer connections, advice and introductions to potentially help the runner via a written see-me card.1
• Runners collect their “see me” cards and either seek out the originator during the two-day conference for conversation or via return phone call (yes, phone call) within 72 hours.4

S.N.A.P reimagined

DWG has adapted the S.N.A.P. with the addition of the core set of principles below. We refer to this as ‘live benchmarking’. It incorporates the best parts of a networking accelerator meets trends sense-maker (S.N.A.P. reimagined).

Although you can only experience live benchmarking within the magic of a DWG Member Meeting, the core principles are:

• There are no wallflowers! Everyone is up and sharing as soon as the meeting kicks off. This not only benefits the outputs of the exercise itself, but also sets a tone for sharing and networking throughout the meeting and beyond.
• The process must ‘be a snap’. DWG team members teach the group in real-time how to easily share their best story with no advance preparation.
• Digital workplace leaders can (and do) unlock mutual success through collaboration over competition in a confidential and trusted space.
• Members do their best learning by exploring each other’s successes and challenges.
• Solutions to any members’ needs and challenges can be drawn out live in the room via connection to peers who are ‘back at work’ (DWG members and invited guests) or via DWG’s knowledge base. All ideas are catalogued on specially designed ‘see me’ cards.
• In place of the S.N.A.P. runners, DWG experts share resources from the DWG knowledge base in real-time while also matching peers, organizing breakout discussions and encouraging live sharing on key topics throughout the two days. Resources are noted on ‘see me cards’ as well.
• DWG expert facilitators guide the sharing in the moment to help bring out the key stories around the room and to harvest insights and trends via sense-making discussion.
• Outputs of the benchmarking are mined during the two-day intensive meetings. These later become invaluable insights for DWG’s knowledge team and AskDWG service, powering ongoing consultations for members.
• Insights collected during our live Member Meetings also provide a vantage view of what is going on within our wider industry circles not just in the trenches.

Experience the magic inspired by S.N.A.P.

Whether you are a current DWG member or an aspiring one, we hope to share the magic of DWG’s Member Meetings with you. The next DWG Member Meeting is in London at BT’s Future Zone on June 12–13. The theme of the two-day meeting will focus on the topic: When physical meets the new digital at BT.

• DWG members can register on DWG’s shiny new extranet.
• All other digital workplace leaders, practitioners and alumni can apply for a guest pass on DWG’s website.

What inspires you?

In the previous issue of the Diary, I shared that my kitchen is one of the places where inspiration often comes to me. In this edition, I pivoted to inspiration from an entrepreneurial networking group called CEO Space.

I would love to hear what inspires you in the comments section of this newsletter.

References

1 Navigating the CEO space with September Dohrmann (Rodney Flowers, 2020)

2 New Member Orientation – Flip eBook, pp.1-28 (CEO Space, 2016)

3 Pivoting to Super Change with Berny Dohrmann (Adam Markel, undated)

4 Can ‘Cooperative Capitalism’ Succeed? (Forbes, 2013)

Categorised in: Diary of a She-e-o