The Power of Personal Learning Networks

It’s an exciting time for lifelong learners. Sources for news, information and knowledge were limited when I first entered the association management industry, but now, thanks to social media, options for learning are unlimited. As a result, we’re bombarded with words and ideas.

To cut through the noise I depend upon my personal learning network — an ever-changing cast of characters whom I read and talk to about a wide range of topics. A personal learning network can help you:

•     Keep up with industry news and trends, success stories, new ideas and thought-provoking conversations.

•     Develop relationships with association and membership professionals as well as peers in other lines of work.

•     Participate in the association management community while finding other viewpoints and serendipitous inspiration.

Here’s a peek at my personal learning network. Every morning I schedule time with my Google Reader where I skim and read my RSS blog subscriptions. I subscribe to a diverse selection of blogs so I’m not only reading what I need to know, but also what stretches me in other directions. I suggest also getting into the habit of commenting on blogs – a great way to participate in online conversations and meet others in the community.

Twitter is a fantastic professional development tool that not only leads you to good reads but also to great minds. There are hundreds of weekly Twitter chats, like #assnchat for association professionals on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Eastern. You’ll get tips and ideas, wrestle with issues and get to know your peers.

There’s a lot of talk in the blogosphere about social media replacing associations as a source for professional development and networking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Associations can be the host and facilitator of their members’ personal learning networks, combining formal modes of learning — conferences, seminars, magazines, newsletters, webinars and podcasts — with informal modes of learning — social media platforms, private online communities and casual meet-ups.

Members want to add to their skills and knowledge base, keep up on news and trends, be exposed to different perspectives, find seeds for new ideas and be part of a community. If you work at it, your association’s online community can provide all these benefits. But remember, there’s a lot of competition for your members’ online attention and time, so you’ll have to deliver a package of value and connections they can’t find elsewhere.

Don’t assume you know what your members want. Solicit their feedback using a variety of methods to determine their current needs. Don’t stop there. Do the research to determine future needs. Start delivering value to your membership in your online community:

•     Poll your members to find out which hot topics they’d like to discuss, and then host regularly scheduled weekly or monthly chats about those topics.

•     Host guest appearances by thought-leaders, authors, speakers and other experts. Have them check in at least twice a day to answer questions that your members have submitted.

•     Encourage the formation of member-driven niche discussion groups.

•     Facilitate the organization of informal local member meet-ups.

•     Don’t dismiss moderated discussion forums. They’re still popular because they deliver a community of peers on call where relationships can bloom, advice is given and support is provided during challenging times.

Be a nimble, innovative and tuned-in host for your members’ personal learning networks and you’ll become indispensable to their careers.

Are you already a host for your members’ personal learning networks? What’s working for you?