What is the most important benefit of membership with Executive Networks?
The most important benefit is access to peers across different disciplines and industries—the people who are actually doing the work and facing similar challenges as I deal with.

As a network member, access to peers in my network is unparalleled—across numerous areas of talent management, including staffing, organizational development, learning & development, etc.

What member service do you use the most?
I use Online Peer Networking (OPN) the most — it’s quick, easy, and thorough. OPN is like having my own library of resources, a group of consultants, and something like Google – all in one – but it’s validated because it’s access to people who have done the work.

I can toss a question out there to the membership base and within 24-48 hours, I have responses I can use – responses focused on what others have done, what they’ve tried, what they’ve learned—across any challenge or situation that arises in talent management. Each time I use the system, I get something within the first 2 days that I can make a decision with or provide direction with. OPN is instant, real, solid, and grounded—I can’t emphasize enough the value of that in meeting challenges.

What specific results have had with Online Peer Networking?
Results can range from insights from members about the restructuring of an organizational development department to accreditation of degree programs—the whole gamut. Other topics I’ve sought insight and assistance on range from the high-level and strategic to the tactical and quick referral—including the issue of getting feedback on the value and performance of HR within a company; benchmarking employee referral programs; benchmarking on leadership development for high potential leaders; referral for a speaker who could speak on diversity and global inclusion; referral for a facilitation professional who could facilitate large group discussions and meetings.

Is network membership more valuable in today’s difficult economy because of the need for efficiencies etc.?
Yes, I think that can play into it, but, since I’ve been involved in this network, I would drop everything else and keep this as most my valuable resource. Other resources—including conferences, workshops; other memberships etc. are important, but there is more return on investment for me with Executive Networks—investment of time and money. There are great resources out there, but this is quick, experiential, and connected to people on the front lines.

I’ve been in the talent management field for 23 years and I don’t need a lot of workshops and conferences. I just need to get with my peer set and say: Here’s what I’m wrestling with or planning—and get some quick insights from them to check my thinking or to provide solutions to something I’m in the process of solving.

Bottom line for me: From a time management and efficiency standpoint, 90% of what I need I can get from my membership with Executive Networks.

What should prospective members think about when considering joining Executive Networks?
For me it’s simple: They should ask themselves where else they can get fast, validated expertise on demand. And where do you access experts cross disciplines. It’s rare to get access to people across so many different roles – when you get online you get access to everyone across all the networks at Executive Networks.

For most people, they’re not going to have access to a peer set of experts, on a 24/7 basis, across the globe, and across disciplines. There’s nothing like Executive Networks.