Coventry University: A110IAE Business Networking Skills Report

This report reflects on students' past and present networking experiences and how these could be developed. It explores the application of digital networking tools, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, to encourage network growth and the role of social capital in networks. The report defines the professional development of a university by reflecting on the challenges and achievements of its networking plan, which is implemented by making use of social capital. It discusses methods for face-to-face networking opportunities, including conferences and networking events. The report assesses the networking methods used, considering the extent to which students use social media and their interest in integrating it into courses. It concludes with recommendations for improving networking strategies, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interactions and utilizing surveys to understand student preferences.

RUNNING HEAD: Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 0
Developing Business networking & Relationship skills

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 1
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Networking............................................................................................................................................2
Role of social capital with respect to networks......................................................................................3
Professional development......................................................................................................................4
Summary and Recommendations..........................................................................................................6
Bibliography..........................................................................................................................................7

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 2
Introduction
Networking is an efficient way of sharing information. Networking develops professional and
social contacts. Universities establish links with students via digital networking. It is a regular
communication for the mutual benefit. In this report past and present experience of students
related to networking has been reflected. The ways to develop present networking experience
have been explained by university using various options of social media. The use of
networking for universities has been discussed in context to students. The roles of social
capital in respect to networks have been explained. The professional development of
university is defined by reflecting challenges and achievements of it’s networking plan. The
plan is implemented by making use of social capital. Finally the methods have been
discussed for the face to face networking opportunities.
Networking
Networking is the effective way of sharing information. It is exchange of information
between one or more persons. It consists of establishing relationship between with people.
These people often become friends and colleagues. It may help universities to advance their
career. It can develop career prospects. The networking empowers sharing peripherals. It is
helpful in building social networks with the students who share similar and career interests.
The social networking services depends on the internet based applications1. The social
networking provides a space for interaction to the various members in developing social ties.
The past networking experience of students used to include traditional events. These events
lack agenda and purpose. The past networking options are more ever outdate and not working
anymore. These events rarely have calls to action. The present networking occurs for the
special purpose through websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. It can increase
brand recognition. The present networking is more accessible to the students. It can promote
brand of universities. For instance the universities can be heard first time on Twitter through
news feed. The more is exposed name of university, greater are the chances of retaining new
customers.
1 Agrawal, Sonali, Ryan Spraetz, and Cheryl Porro. "Structured data in a business networking feed."
U.S. Patent 9,031,957, issued May 12, 2015.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 3
Role of social capital with respect to networks
The social capital comprises value of social relationships and networking which complements
economic capital for the economic growth of company. It is an important component of the
prosperity of company. The social network in an organisation includes trust among students,
the satisfaction level with the education and the quality of communication which takes place2.
The communication takes place with the peers, seniors and class mates. The social capital is
used to improve performance and growth of organisation. The strong social networking is
possible with the efficient performance of staff. The social capital stresses on the importance
of social networks3. The social capital aims to use networking in the best way possible for
achieving goal of organisation.
The social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter help students to engage with
university or student status. The online interactions have become essential. The social
network is important for the university as well. The students talks about organisation and then
follows up. It grows network which helps in advancing career interests. It has also seen that
social media has penetrated all types of universities. The social sites emerge as a winner
because of large number of followers4. The rapid rise of social media provides numerous
opportunities for the universities to adopt for further teaching attempt. The social media
provides an exclusive stage for interaction among teachers and students and among students.
The students find it the easy way to communicate and access information. It is seen that the
academics have been expanding their role to offer after hour support to students5. The
students can make use of online technologies for the purpose of learning. Other than the use
of social media for learning and teaching, it is also used for generating awareness and
advertisement.
Professional development
The professional development of university can be defined by the following points:
2 Andersen, Poul Houman, and Christopher J. Medlin. "Transient commitments and dynamic business
networking." Industrial Marketing Management 58 (2016): 11-19.
3 Vătămănescu, Elena-Mădălina, Andreia Gabriela Andrei, Luminița Nicolescu, Florina Pînzaru, and
Alexandra Zbuchea. "The influence of competitiveness on SMEs internationalization effectiveness.
Online versus offline business networking." Information Systems Management 34, no. 3 (2017): 205-
219.
4 Coffing, Dan, and Lou Bonfiglio. "Transaction system for business and social networking." U.S.
Patent 9,600,674, issued March 21, 2017.
5 Silas, Gregory Robert, and Peter Anthony Grech. "System and method for relevant business
networking based in controlled relevancy groups, responsibilites and measured performance." U.S.
Patent 9,117,196, issued August 25, 2015.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 4
Potential market
Challenges:
The goal of universities is not only to make students attend lecture. But they embark on
career. The university targets the students who have completed their higher education and are
looking for degree or diploma courses. The age specified of students target is 18-29.
Achievements:
The students show their interest towards university by digital platform. The web sites provide
information to prospective students. The prospective students are the main audience for
university. It has two types of users internal and external6. The internal user consists of staff
and students.
Evidences:
The external users can be categorised by prospective students, prospective staff, alumni, news
media, legislators and more.
Use of networking methods
Challenges:
It was challenging for the university to make use of social platforms such as Twitter,
Instagram, Facebook, e-mail, LinkedIn and the website. The university created page
associated groups on Facebook. It featured specification of the courses available by
university. It is providing opportunity to students to discuss relevant concern and a support
network. Instagram was also used for authentic sharing to connect with younger audience.
The stories can be put on Instagram and can be used in various ways. The stories can be used
by sharing campus news, conducting student takeover. Introducing to local attractions and
sharing important research achievements. The university can also put announcement on the
Instagram stories.
Achievements:
6 Adomako, Samuel, Albert Danso, Nathaniel Boso, and Bedman Narteh. "Entrepreneurial alertness
and new venture performance: facilitating roles of networking capability." International Small Business
Journal (2018): 0266242617747667.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 5
Twitter was used by the university. It put updates and the recent development of college. The
tweets can attract interest of prospective students. It can also put tweet for the staff required
by university. The desired students and staff can contact to the organisation. Facebook can be
used as networking method. Advertisement can be shown on the Facebook pages. The
desired candidates click on the page and get the information7. The likes on Facebook page
increases the popularity of university.
Evidences:
Profile is created on LinkedIn, the prospective clients can visit the profile and access the
information provided by university8. Email is used by university as a networking method. The
emails are sent to the targeted group. Such emails carry all the necessary information of
university. The students want further updates can subscribe the emails.
Assessment of networking methods used
The use of social media has become a conventional means of communication. There is
growth in the number of users. The purpose to this assessment is to determine the extent to
which students use social media. Their interest in integrating social media into courses is also
considered. The perception of students is also considered for the usefulness of social media.
1162 students were invited by email. The overall response rate was 30% from the collective
response periods. Facebook and Instagram were used by 91% students and less than half use
Twitter and LinkedIn9. 68% of students out of the respondents communicate on social media
daily. The company can get good rating on social sites which helps to increase credit
worthiness of university. The students give preference to the highly rated companies.
The time and privacy concerns are the largest barrier to usage. It is also seen that one third of
students are in favour of the incorporation of social network. The usage of social media by
universities has become widespread. The universities are identifying not only opportunities
but risks associated with it. Facebook is used by 98% of universities for the presence on
networking social site. Other social media options used are Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and
7 Benson, Vladlena, Stephanie Morgan, and Fragkiskos Filippaios. "Social career management: Social
media and employability skills gap." Computers in Human Behavior 30 (2014): 519-525.
8 Mehrizi, Mahsa Mahmoodi, and Thomas Schøtt. "Education coupled with international networking:
benefits for exporting in Middle East and North Africa." International Journal of Entrepreneurship and
Small Business 23, no. 1-2 (2014): 110-126.
9 Townsend, Heather. FT Guide to Business Networking: How to use the power of online and offline
networking for business success. Pearson UK, 2012.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 6
emails. These tools are used to recruit staff and evaluate potential applicants. There is
potential risk to the brand of university10. The students can post their personal blog on the
page of university. In this case, university will be held responsible. The negative comments
on Instagram can spoil the image of university. The Twitter is also used by the exposed
people who hold racist views.
Summary and Recommendations
There are some other options which can be used by university other than the social media.
There can be other options like face to face networking. The effective methods of face to face
networking are conference and network events. The conference is the most effective way to
meet face to face students. The university can made personal connection with students. It also
allows meeting new and perspective students11. It can give ability to grow business
exponentially. The surveys can be used by the university such as by surveymonkey.com. It
can help in understanding the preference of students. The events can be organised by
universities specifying time duration and types of courses and degrees. In the events more
details specified. The conference brings together various fields such as technology,
entertainment, health, music, coding, journalism and every field possible. These events are
conducted for the specified days. It can take place quarterly, half yearly or yearly. The
organisations who want to increase business network can launch career through face to face
meetings12. It is one of the easiest ways to meet people. It creates meaningful relationships
and offers growth opportunities. It builds the human relationships and avoids
misunderstandings.
10 Stokes, David, Nicholas Wilson, and Nick Wilson. Small business management and
entrepreneurship. Cengage Learning EMEA, 2010.
11 Vermeiren, Jan, and Bert Verdonck. Power of Linkedin. Harpercollins India, 2014.
12 Snehota, Ivan, and Hakan Hakansson, eds. Developing relationships in business networks. London:
Routledge, 1995.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 7
Bibliography
Adomako, Samuel, Albert Danso, Nathaniel Boso, and Bedman Narteh. "Entrepreneurial
alertness and new venture performance: facilitating roles of networking
capability." International Small Business Journal (2018): 0266242617747667.
Agrawal, Sonali, Ryan Spraetz, and Cheryl Porro. "Structured data in a business networking
feed." U.S. Patent 9,031,957, issued May 12, 2015.
Andersen, Poul Houman, and Christopher J. Medlin. "Transient commitments and dynamic
business networking." Industrial Marketing Management 58 (2016): 11-19.
Benson, Vladlena, Stephanie Morgan, and Fragkiskos Filippaios. "Social career management:
Social media and employability skills gap." Computers in Human Behavior 30 (2014): 519-
525.
Coffing, Dan, and Lou Bonfiglio. "Transaction system for business and social networking."
U.S. Patent 9,600,674, issued March 21, 2017.
Mehrizi, Mahsa Mahmoodi, and Thomas Schøtt. "Education coupled with international
networking: benefits for exporting in Middle East and North Africa." International Journal of
Entrepreneurship and Small Business 23, no. 1-2 (2014): 110-126.
Silas, Gregory Robert, and Peter Anthony Grech. "System and method for relevant business
networking based in controlled relevancy groups, responsibilites and measured performance."
U.S. Patent 9,117,196, issued August 25, 2015.
Stokes, David, Nicholas Wilson, and Nick Wilson. Small business management and
entrepreneurship. Cengage Learning EMEA, 2010.
Townsend, Heather. FT Guide to Business Networking: How to use the power of online and
offline networking for business success. Pearson UK, 2012.
Vătămănescu, Elena-Mădălina, Andreia Gabriela Andrei, Luminița Nicolescu, Florina
Pînzaru, and Alexandra Zbuchea. "The influence of competitiveness on SMEs
internationalization effectiveness. Online versus offline business networking." Information
Systems Management 34, no. 3 (2017): 205-219.

Developing Business networking & Relationship skills 8
Vermeiren, Jan, and Bert Verdonck. Power of Linkedin. Harpercollins India, 2014.