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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strategy Nets just another collaborative platform?
No. Strategy Nets integrates an industry leading technology platform with a proven strategy process -- Strategic Doing -- designed to guide strategic thinking in loosely linked, open networks. The Near-Time platform is the only collaboration platform that combines the sophisticated features that open networks need with the ease-of-use
This process, developed and deployed by practitioners at Purdue University’s Center for Regional Development, replaces the outdated techniques of strategic planning. These approaches are too costly, slow and inflexible to meet the challenges of transforming our education, workforce and economic development systems.
Strategy Nets shows you how strategy gets done in open networks by combining an easy-to-follow strategy process with an easy-to-use and powerful collaborative platform.
How is Strategy Nets different than simply hiring a strategy consultant?
Strategy Nets replaces the normal approach to strategy in which organizations rely on outside consultants to guide their strategic planning. With Strategic Doing, a core team guides the strategy process within an open network. Strategy Nets provides guidance to hone the strategy skills of members of your core team.
Strategy Nets enables core teams to focus on a handful of measurable strategic outcomes within their networks. The core team guides the development and execution of a practical strategic action plan. With Strategic Doing implementation begins on Day 1. There is no separation between thinking and doing.
How is strategy in an open network different from traditional strategic planning?
The tools of strategic planning work best in a vertical organization with clear lines of authority. That’s no surprise. Strategic planning procedures evolved to manage the investment decisions within hierarchical, multi-divisional companies operating in relatively stable economic environments.
Our world is different. We operate in a world of networks. Meeting the challenges of transforming education, workforce and economic development requires us to collaborate across organizational and political boundaries. Our resources are limited, so we need to think and act strategically.
Why is the integration of Web 2.0 tools provided by the Near-Time platform so critical to Strategic Doing?
Strategy
Nets are open networks of people working on complex, transformative
innovations. This work takes place both in face-to-face gatherings and on-line.
Without an easy to use, flexible portfolio of Web 2.0 tools, the work of teams
quickly degrades. Web 2.0 tools enable work to continue between face-to-face
meetings.
What are the key features of the Near Time platform that make it ideal for Strategy-Nets and Strategic Doing?
Ease of use.— If you can send an e-mail, you can use this platform. This feature is important because in open networks, we have deal with people who have a wide range of computer skills.
Integration of Web 2.0 tools.— The Internet is our first interactive mass medium, and Web 2.0 tools – blogs, wikis, forums, RSS feeds – enable us to exploit this interactivity. But all of these tools have a separate purpose and different uses. Near-Time integrates the most important of these tools into its platform.
Flexibility and customization.— The Near Time platform enables us to turn on or off different tools. In addition, the platform allows different levels of customization for “look and feel”. This feature enables a network to build its brand quickly.
Different levels of access and permissions.— The Near-Time platform allows teams to fine tune access to their collaborative space. This feature is important because strategy in open networks is not the same as complete transparency: “everybody gets to know everything”.
Powerful ways to classify knowledge.— Part of the trick in developing a strategy in open networks comes in defining where knowledge “fits”. The Near Time’s use of categories and tags enables a core strategy team to organize information as it arises. In developing strategy in open networks, coherence is more important than vision.
Powerful search.— Without a powerful search function, collaborative platforms can quickly degenerate into big bags of inaccessible information.
Notifications.— Everyone is busy. The Near Time platform builds in simple notifications to enable team members to check in on their progress.
How does our team get started with Strategy-Nets?
Teams start with Strategy-Nets by attending a 2-3 hour workshop to get an introduction to Strategic Doing and to shape an initial strategic action plan. During this session, we organize an on-line workspace to support your strategy and show you how to use it. After the session, you have the option to continue with a Strategy-Nets for a year. You can also choose to opt-out after the workshop.
What is a Strategy Pack?
A Strategy Pack is an integrated, annual bundle of strategy services that gives your organization both a strategic action plan and a process to implement, measure and revise your strategy continuously. You will learn the disciplines and tools of Strategic Doing, as well as the skills to leverage the latest web-based tools for collaboration.
What is the pricing for Strategy-Nets?
Pricing depends on the scope of your network. With each network, Strategy Net provides a package of strategy services designed to 1) develop your network’s strategic action plan quickly; 2) design a process for continuous monitoring and adjustment; and 3) keep your strategy on track.
As a current Near-Time customer, what does all this mean for me?
Current Near Time customers face a choice. You can take the next step to leverage your current workspaces with Strategic Doing by becoming a customer of Strategy Nets. There will be no change in your workspace. You will be receiving a higher level of strategy services through Strategy Nets. Your Strategy Pack will include:
- A three hour introductory workshop on Strategic Doing
- Monthly two hour strategy reviews of your strategic action plan
- Monthly webinars on using Web 2.0 tools
- Monthly “brown bag” lunches to keep you up to date with the latest in Strategic Doing and to consult on difficult strategy issues
Near Time will be discontinuing its current offerings as of December 31, 2009. If you choose not to expand your team’s strategy skills with Strategic Doing and Strategy Nets, you should begin now to migrate your content to another platform.
What about current corporate Near Time customers?
We are happy to explore your situation. Contact us about pricing options.
