IN PRACTICE – The Improvement Studio

The WHAT and the HOW

3 Ways | With a Network mindset | A collaborative, curious vibe | Active agents of action!

The MAGIC of CONNECTING DOTS

Here’s 3 real examples…..

Living the presence. Engaging with people in the work place. Sharing stories, resources, ideas.
Looking for great examples to share. Like the people helping people from prisons get work. The leader outlining their thinking about what they do what they do and how! We think how do we share that, who needs to know.
Strategic level. Leading the change. Working to connect the dots, orchestra, compose improvement, bring it together.

JAM SESSIONS

Meet ups, exchanges, curated but informal connections, improvement maker link ups….
Often these are on zoom because of geography…. but with personalised variety.

We look out for people who would be great in jam sessions together.
Think of jazz musicians sessions. Combining their ‘music’ for mutual energy, inspiration and impact.

Recent example | Connecting 4 changes makers across the globe from Ireland, France, Pakistan and NZ. Different people, different approaches, each on their own journey, sharing their intel, ideas, stories.

MATCH-MAKING

Match making, brokering, ‘recruitment’ talent scouting, connections of value.

Formally connecting people in the improvement industry. People looking for a team member, a consultant, a group to join.
Or for advice, or a sounding board.

How does this work? Requests come in. We will either help, go searching, or give you ideas to progress.

Recent examples | Connecting companies and individuals into a local lean cluster network. Including sourcing a host.

IMPROVEMENT GIGS & PRODUCTIONS

Events, Commissions, Projects, Productions.

How does this work? Formal events and activity. Bringing people, themes, ideas, actions together in projects and events.

Recent examples | Judging an international best practice competition.

A NETWORK but not….

This isn’t your usual network. The whole network is relational! That’s not about numbers, it’s about quality and fit!
We end up with a global network of improvement artists, but it’s not a formal network as such….
We’re connecting the right dots … right people, right time, right dynamics.

People experience 3 things….

– a cool connection in the moment…
– a great connection beyond the moment…
– an awesome connection that changes their life!

3 ways people jump in!

– Co-creators
– Contributors/Participants!
– Service: A desire to be of service, or they want to be of service to the network.

… We are 3 things

We are a Creative Body | What we do, and how we do it, is both creative and based on the creative industries as a framework.

We are an Organisation | The focus is on the Greater Good, determined to make things better for us all!

And ….we are a Business | This is our profession. Our career. How we make our living!! We don’t consult, no-one is our clients, though we don’t do this for free!

The Business Side of Networking

…. FUNDING | FUEL | PAYMENT | The MUSIC INDUSTRY is our base

Our work isn’t linear. So, after many iterations neither is the way we fund and fuel our work.

Engaging with the Studio means Contributing/Paying in one of the following ways.

Exchanges/Royalties | Mutual exchanges/wins. In kind. Contributions. IOUs. Relational, relies on a trust model.
Fees/Commissions| More traditional. Fixer fees, commissions for projects, requests.
Sponsorship/Supporters | Big picture. Sponsorship/patrons/supporters payments. Royalties on connection wins. IOUs.

How does that work in practice? Listen to an example in this video.

Plus, a big part of this, is the intwined, integrated nature of working together. How do we all win.
So the above concepts also work in the reverse. It’s also like having a network ledger going. On balance, are we all contributing to each other’s successes.

NETWORK CULTURE, plus rules and FAQs!

Principles and ‘rules’ that we run by. Found here. AND OUR FAQs LINK

We are in the Improvement Networking/Connection Business, and the Business of Improvement Networking and Connections.