Groups operate in a range of ways (see our previous blog on the 7 different uses for a Knowledge Hub group), and the facilitation role is not set in stone. It’s flexible and can be adapted to suit the unique needs of the group members, the number of members involved, the group activities undertaken and of course the facilitator themselves.
No matter what facilitation style is used, facilitators play a key role in making things happen in groups, and without them a group is likely to lose its momentum very quickly. The Community Roundtable State of Community Management Report 2014 found that groups with dedicated facilitators were almost twice as likely to be able to measure value and saw significantly more engagement than those without. Facilitators bring people together, engage members into taking part in the group’s discussion and activity, and encourage them to share their experience and knowledge with the group.
While speaking to some of our Knowledge Hub members and facilitators, we found out what the facilitation role helps them to do, and what they value most about being a facilitator.
Based on your feedback, here are 10 benefits of being a group facilitator for you and your organisation.
1. Grow your professional network through connecting to a broad range of people in your work area. This might include people you know well and new contacts you’ve not come across before.
2. Progress your own work priorities in an efficient manner by using the group to draw upon your members’ knowledge to get quick responses and gain an overview of what works well and what’s not working so well.
5. Raise your own professional profile in your field and sector and gain a good understanding of who's who and who’s doing what. Become a source of knowledge for the latest thinking.
