What do you do if your social impact network needs expanding?

In my experience, expanding a social impact network involves several strategic steps. Some effective steps to mobilise the expansion are: 1. Map out the existing network to identify any gaps or areas where expansion is needed, understanding connections and relationships and how they can facilitate expansion. 2. Develop a strategic outreach plan to connect with potential new members or partners. This could involve attending relevant events, reaching out through social media, email campaigns, or leveraging existing connections for introductions. 3. Diversify the network in terms of perspectives, expertise, and backgrounds. Embrace inclusivity and seek out voices and perspectives that are currently underrepresented within the network.

Of all my 500+ WhatsApp groups full of some of the world's leading thought leaders and entrepreneurs, my IMPACT! one is the only one where I took the time and trouble to create a spreadsheet so that members could get to know one another better and more quickly. I am drawn to people making an impact. Capitalism sometimes gets a bad rap, but it can be an enormous force for good when done right.

Most of my business comes from individuals whom I trust. Defacto, I trust the referee. On LinkedIn, if no one has recommended them that's a red flag for me. But if they have several good ones, then that's good enough for me. I am very proud of my recommendations, it's social proof at its finest.

The desire to help is in all of us, to some extent. Asking someone if you can help THEM grow THEIR social impact network is an authentic way to engage. Who is their ideal person they'd like to have in their network? Why? Can you help? If you're able, the impact to all involved will be a shared benefit that's remembered and likely reciprocated. It's a Social Impact Network... make an impact!

Authenticity is important to me and I encourage people in my 500 WhatsApp groups to share their triumphs, obviously, but also their trauma. We are all human and I have learnt that people who experience enormous trauma in their lives often come out stronger for it. Pressure creates diamonds.

At the end of the day, business boils down to people and trust. By creating a 500 WhatsApp Group ecosystem where people feel safe to engage with one another, good things happen. Friendships are being forged. And ultimately that’s what life’s about: relationships. Relationships with our family, friends and fellow human beings in general.🙏

Talk to people about what you're trying to achieve, find out what people like and don't like about it - and get better at 1. Identifying people who would like to join your mission, and 2. Enrolling people who aren't sure about it initially, in your mission. Relationships are the backbone of all social change and engagement, and the better you are at cultivating real, deep relationships around the work you are doing, the better your work will become.

Relationships are also founded on trust and a lot of people become interested in issues the more directly impacted they are about something. To collaborate means growing enduring connections with people, beyond a transactional check-in too. This means people and network members connect with an organisation but also across the membership of the organisational parts. Mutual benefit is one thing but enduring connections are key for social impact to make a difference.