1. Academic Theories:
How do social networks
work?
Ben Leong
Email: ben@ben-leong.id.au
Twitter: @morsla

2. Social networks are made of people and the connections between them
Direct connections form
our immediate network ‒
our ’first degree” contacts
Through our indirect
connections, we are part
of much larger networks
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3. Network closure reinforces behaviour and enhances trust
A low degree of closure Greater degrees of closure
increases risk reduce the risk associated
with trust
Additional peers can
verify information
or monitor behaviour
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4. Network brokerage
exposes you to new ideas
by bridging structural holes
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5. A real-life example: What roles does each
LinkedIn Maps connection play?
http://inmaps.linkedinlabs.com
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6. So…
The value of a network comes from far more than just its size
Find a balance that works for you:
Dense networks use closure to support trust
and reinforce behaviours
Diverse, broad networks provide brokerage opportunities
supporting information discovery and innovation
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