Over reading over the social Social Innovation Tips, I think my favourite one is Innovate on existing platforms.
I think with that I would add, with existing social networks.
What is already there is so critically important, because it is those things that are changed, re-used, recreated, and built from existing resources that create a sustainable impact over a period of time.
Importing ALL of a particular resource isn't viable over the long term, cost and reliability on other systems (be it a different government, company or other system) is not as stable as the guaranteed items that are already present in a community.
The existing network part is really about that a group of people who has faced a particular problem has thought about the problem. They have tried things, they have wondered about solutions. Listening, understanding, asking questions and seeing the existing social network as a tool and pool of knowledge is important to understand 1) the impact of the problem 2) the scope of the problem 3) attempted solutions to the problem 4) progress about the problem. Existing Social Networks give you the personal stories, the trials, the triumphs of any community, and allow for the discovery of hidden problems. Also, Social Networks can help one learn of others, connect to unknown resources and begin to create a stronger force for change.
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