Visible Us Blog
The Visible Us Blog is home to all our articles written by our team and our partners and guests. Try searching for a topic related to network leadership, social connectedness, or network science, or explore another content category below. Interested in contributing a guest blog? Contact our team for more info.
Want to learn about network science? Have a collaborative problem you need to tackle? The Visible Us Blog is our space for sharing stories, advice, and inspiration with our community. Subscribe to our newsletter on the right so you don’t miss any blog updates! Have a suggestion for a new blog topic? Shoot us an email at hello@visiblenetworklabs.com
8 Common Pitfalls in Community Asset Mapping (and How to Avoid Them)
Community-asset mapping can be a launchpad for stronger partnerships and smarter resource allocation—but only if the process is as intentional as the map itself. It is easy to get lost in the forest and lose sight of the big picture if you aren’t careful, especially
Building Networks That Work: 10 Practical Lessons From Network Science
Healthy networks don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally designed ecosystems that evolve through clear goals, purposeful structure, and a relentless focus on relationships. Drawing on ten key topics from VNL’s Insights Library, below are condensed lessons you can apply today—whether you’re launching a new
Building Effective Hubs for System Change: A Network Science Approach
In complex systems like public health, early childhood, and behavioral health, coordination is everything—but it’s hard. More and more communities are turning to hubs as central connectors to align stakeholders, share resources, and drive systems change. However, without a clear picture of the network, hubs
17 Tips for Effective Storytelling Using Social Network Analysis (SNA)
Communities and coalitions rely on strong relationships to create change—but those relationships are often invisible without the right tools to map and measure them. Social network analysis (SNA) can shine a light on these connections, but understanding and acting on the data requires more than
Types of Community Assets: 10+ Examples of People, Places, and Partnerships
Community asset mapping is a powerful practice embraced by nonprofits, public health agencies, local governments, and coalitions to illuminate and mobilize the inherent strengths within their communities. Instead of solely focusing on needs or deficits, this strengths-based approach builds upon what’s already working, fostering resilience
What SaaS Taught Me About Building a Better Network: The Power of Quick Wins and “Time to Value”
Last week, I opened a newsletter that hit me with a concept that immediately clicked—and not just because I’ve worked in SaaS. The article, written by Isaac Peiris, dives into a core idea from product strategy called Time to Value (TTV)—the amount of time it
What is Community Asset Mapping? A Strength-Based Approach to Community Development
Community Asset Mapping is an essential tool for anyone looking to build stronger, more connected, and more resilient communities. Rather than focusing on deficits or gaps, this strengths-based methodology helps identify and map the resources, relationships, and capacities that already exist—offering a more empowering path
Case Study: Mapping Resilience in Florida Healthcare Coalitions with PARTNER CPRM
Our first SNA case study explores network resilience and fragmentation across 43 Florida Healthcare Collaboratives. Here’s what they found.
40+ Community Engagement Tools for Building Connected Communities
This comprehensive guide explores the essential frameworks, digital platforms, and proven methodologies that power successful community engagement initiatives. From time-tested frameworks like IAP2’s Spectrum of Public Participation to cutting-edge digital solutions for network mapping and collaborative decision-making, we’ll examine tools that help organizations move beyond
How to Create a Community Engagement Plan (Template & Examples)
Creating a strong community engagement plan is critical for building trust, promoting equity, and achieving long-lasting impact. Whether you’re coordinating a public health campaign, implementing a city planning initiative, or launching a nonprofit program, the success of your work depends on the depth and quality
New Feature: Highlight Key Nodes on Your Network Maps in PARTNER CPRM
We’re excited to share a powerful new update to the PARTNER CPRM Network Analyzer that gives you greater control and clarity when exploring your network and ecosystem maps. Starting this week, you can now highlight individual nodes to make them stand out—whether you’re exploring your
The Hidden Cost of Networking: How Community Partnerships Can Exacerbate Equity Gaps
Networking and collaboration are often heralded as essential strategies for strengthening social impact. However, for small nonprofits and grassroots organizations, participation in these partnerships can impose significant burdens—diverting time and resources away from their mission-critical work. Larger institutions, while well-resourced to engage in networking efforts,
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