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The concept is of a survey or census on behalf of a well established and
successful Chiropractic practice, to maximize the intangible assets of
reputation and longstanding relationships of trust with his burgeoning
patient base from every walk of life.
My Chiropractor has already expanded his practice in and of itself, as far
as currently feasible for him. (I need not elaborate in detail.) What my
Chiropractor needs to consider, are other ways to capitalize upon his
practice, varyingly less directly obvious strategies and opportunities.
To wit, the tantalizing question presents itself, that for all anyone knows,
any one patient might be a brilliant engineer, struggling to get off the
ground with the next big thing, while the very next patient might be, in
actuality, the angel investor of his dreams! -Or perhaps a publicist,
marketer or paralegal in patenting...
Or, more prosaically, my Chiropractor finds himself unhappy with the terms
of his office rental, and considers real-estate acquisition. Now, this could
either be a house with rental units or just a condo office for his own
practice, or, depending upon the cultivation of his own contacts including
well to do patients, participation in ownership of a medical office complex
not unlike where he now rents. -People with whom he is already fairly well
acquainted, but only to the fairly limited context of providing Chiropractic
care.
And, again, these above are only illustrative examples to underscore the
value of what we hope to learn. Who knows what opportunities might be
discovered in all manner of unsuspected potential connections to be
networked productively?
The problem solving challenge to the Social Networking consultant will be
the design and then implementation of some procedure to achieve the desired
ends, as shall be expounded, of the proposed survey or census. For as yet
the desired ends are more clear than whatever required process. And that is
why a specialist is sought for.
The study must be conducted in the Boston area, because that is where the
Chiropractic practice is located. Therefore, it may be desirable to have at
least one researcher local, for any tasks or aspect of the work that cannot
readily be conducted remotely.
At least one qualified graduate student in the study of Social Networking
will be required on the team, because, as I have already been advised, the
accredited professionals in the field are actually in somewhat short supply,
very much in demand, all prestigiously employed and even massively
overbooked already.
All that will be necessary on spec, will be the vitae of the Social
Networking graduate student specialist consultant, as well as those of
whatever team recruited for the work for whatever other needed manpower and
qualifications, and a brief executive summary of how it will be proposed to
proceed. After that, if all goes well, this will quickly become a paying
gig! -All terms to be negotiated....
The proposed survey, if successful and fruitful, is conceived also as a
pilot project for a marketable new service for similar application to other
practices and business.
My Chiropractor himself can be completely relied upon for all practice and
decisions regarding ethics and patient confidentiality. All participation
must be optional and scrupulously consensual.
The information to be collected and correlated would be intended to
facilitate the following diverse agendum:
1) Improved care
The lack of centralized medical and health related information in the United
States is no secret. An effort at collating more complete patient
information would be of clear value.
2) Expanded information for the expanded targeted marketing opportunity,
both health related and otherwise.
3) Barter opportunities
While barter associations have been disappointing, barter with patients has
been mutually beneficial in the past.
4) Human resources to discover entirely new business opportunities, even to
organize entirely new business ventures. -Pertinent information to include:
Capital, connections, assets, needs, interests, skill sets, qualifications,
aptitudes and any other pertinent demographics.
5) Lastly, Sociometric profiling, compatibility, matching and grouping
prognosis and recommendations. Serviceable predictions of compatibility,
both one to one and for larger groups and networks, is of immense value to
all human interaction and undertakings, their optimal success and best risk
management.
Preliminary to the survey in earnest, the study might begin with focus
groups. Interview of a focus group comprising any representative sample of
the patient base, seeking to assess and identify demand in order better to
define the survey, would begin with a series of questions delving into the
needs and desires of the focus group participants. Such as: What are your
social connectivity frustrations? What are your desired circles, groups,
individuals? How do you currently discover new social connectivity
opportunities? How do you cement new connections? And could you ever be
comfortable with your Chiropractor also offering referrals, networking and
making introductions on your behalf? It would be explained that the
introductions are envisaged as part of a free service along with improved
care, after all, for the benefit of said Chiropractor no less than anyone
else participating. Additional further questions might then also probe for
any hoped for interest and receptivity to our own networking agendas.
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