Connections play a role in sustaining communities, and the stronger the connections, the more an opportunity exists for communities to build their social and economic system.

Research suggests that there is a potential for Corner Brook businesses to become more innovative and to use technology to improve business processes and to expand business operations. A series of workshops at Grenfell Campus and College of the North Atlantic (CNA) are being offered to help implement a system to better identify and utilize networks.

The first workshop, Introduction to Social Network Analysis, is scheduled to take place Monday, Feb. 6, from 1-5 p.m. in the lecture theatre, College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook.

This session will provide a general overview for those curious about mapping and strengthening local networks. The workshop will cover social network analysis theory, methods and applications and demonstrate network mapping and simple analysis. A discussion of the background and technique of social network analysis through practical hands-on activities, and ideas for weaving and strengthening new and existing networks will also take place. Participants are asked to bring a java-enabled laptop to this session.

Attendance at the CNA workshop will provide context for those participating in the second workshop: Technical Introduction to Social Network based on UCINET social network analysis software. This workshop will be more technical and will provide a practical application for the knowledge. Workshop objectives include an in-depth discussion of many aspects, functions and applications of social media analysis.

This workshop will take place at Grenfell Campus, room FC2001, Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Participants must bring their own laptop and download a free version of UCINET Social Network Analysis software prior to attendance.

Both workshops will be facilitated by Ken Vance-Borland, an expert in social network analysis and co-author of Conservation Stakeholder Network Mapping, Analysis, and Weaving. He is executive director of The Conservation Planning Institute, and is faculty of the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.

This event is organized by the Networks for Business Innovation committee, a group representing and supported by Grenfell Campus and St. John’s Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland; College of the North Atlantic; Rural Secretariat; Innovation, Business and Rural Development; Advanced Education and Skills; the City of Corner Brook; Corner Brook Board of Trade, and The Western Star.

For more information or to register, please contact Jose Lam at (709) 637-6200 ext. 6588 or jlam@genfell.mun.ca.