Develop networks to share business information, support and services
Overview
This standard is for entrepreneurs who develop networks to share business information, support and services. It is important to comply with relevant laws and regulations when you build your contacts and organise these into networks to fit your customers' needs. Providing business information, support and services may involve getting advice from experts or putting people in touch with other businesses that have had similar concerns. It includes considering how you contribute to the networks to make you a valued person to work with.
You might do this if you need to:
set up a new business or social enterprise;
provide business information, support and services for your customers' needs;
expand your business or social enterprise;
change or adapt the products or services offered by your business or social enterprise.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- search for new contacts face-to-face or through social media and other online platforms
- develop your network of contacts to build your professional profile
- manage your network of contacts in accordance with relevant laws and regulations for data protection, security and confidentiality
- establish boundaries of confidentiality between yourself and members of your professional networks
- obtain permission from your network of contacts to have their details shared with your customers
- search for business information, advice and further contacts that will benefit your customers
- share your needs for business information, support and services with your network contacts
- evaluate how new contacts can add value to the service provided to particular customers
- encourage customers to use your contacts and networks to increase the business opportunities, support and services
- keep up to date with your networks and contacts
- update networks and contacts about your business on a regular basis
- use business contacts to improve the quality of your business information, support and services
- monitor the information and support given by other organisations to identify improvements to the business information, support services you provide
- identify ways to improve the quality of information you get from contacts and network organisations
- review the opportunities, costs and benefits of new contacts and networks
- delete the contacts that are non-responsive or no longer relevant in line with data protection legislation
- remove contacts from your network upon request
- keep up-to-date with relevant laws and regulations for data protection, security and confidentiality up to date
- amend your processes to meet law and regulation changes
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Communication and interpersonal skills
1. how to listen and question
2. how to exchange information in a legally compliant way
3. the type of information required and shared in different networks
4. the importance of maintaining customer details and confidentiality
5. your contacts' preferences for information and preferred ways of communicating
Networking
6. the methods of networking, such as face-to-face or on social media platforms and online chat groups
7. the local, regional and nation-wide professional forums, groups, specialist groups, conferences and events
8. how to identify suitable networking opportunities and join these to build more contacts
9. how to identify people and organisations that have the potential to benefit you and your customers
10. how to encourage new contacts to opt-into your networks of contacts
11. how to keep your knowledge about the laws and regulations up-to-date and be proactive to changes
12. the consequences of non-compliance with legal requirements for data protection, security and confidentiality
Providing business information and support services
13. the range of business information and support services available
14. the guidelines for providing support services set by your business
15. why it is important to maintain confidentiality in different networking environments
16. the ethics, values, codes of practice and professional standards you need to adhere to while managing your network of contacts
17. how to promote equal opportunities, diversity and social inclusion when networking
18. the relevant information management systems related to networking
Evaluating networks
19. how to formally and informally monitor your own personal conduct
20. how to compare information services provided by other professionals and organisations with what your business provides
21. the way your organisation networks with other professionals and organisations