Networking can be portrayed as a way of exchanging ideas. It provides opportunities and it is all about developing and maintaining associates, generating opportunities to meet new people, and using people and being used by them. Networks play a major part in promotion decisions and that is how it becomes extremely useful within organisations. There are many types of networking that are used within organisations to help them to keep up to date with industry and environmental issues outside the organisation.

Some ways this is done is usually by being informed of the organisations competitors and by being aware of new supplies that may give the organisation a competitive advantage. “The importance of good communication between employees and the public is important for all organisations. ” (Crown, 2004) Communication becomes an important factor within organisations because every decision which is made involves communication. “The best idea, the most creative suggestion, the best plan or the most effective job redesign cannot take shape without communication.

” (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, Coulter, p516, 2003) The workplace which I am associated with is Lenards, a food supplier business, which specializes in selling cleaned and poultry products. The business networks that are of interest to our industry and to market our line of products as a food supplier are those who fall under the Practitioner Networks category. Practitioner Networks consist of organisations that are associated with a general training profession or concern.

Organisations such as the Australian Marketing Institute, the Australian Veterinary Poultry Association and the Australian Chicken Meat Federation are all business networks associate with the business at Lenards. What these chosen business networks do The Australian Marketing Institute is associated within the Practitioner Network. “The Australian Marketing Institute is the professional association for marketers. Over the intervening years we have continually evolved to meet the changing needs of marketers, delivering services to help members maximize their professional growth.

” (Crowe, 2004) The AMI offers members a respected and authoritative voice for the profession, strong advocacy of the highest standards in marketing, the opportunity to achieve career advancement and enhanced credibility in the profession through professional development programs, and access to the latest information on marketing practice and networking with fellow practitioners. They have achieved numerous awards for marketing excellence.

The association serves marketing professionals in all sectors public and private enterprise, business and education. There are a range of programs offered, tailored to the various professional development needs of members, In addition to national conferences and workshops, each state has a comprehensive program of events including breakfast and evening seminars, business lunches, special interest group meetings and networking opportunities.. The AMI professional code of conduct is attached in the appendices.

The Australian Veterinary Poultry Association is a Special Interest Group of the Australian Veterinary Association. Membership is available to individuals and groups working in or interested in any veterinary aspect of poultry. Supporting members contribute funds that help defray costs of services to members of the Australian Veterinary Poultry Association. “The mission of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVPA) is to promote, support and represent the veterinary profession by providing quality services to the members and the community.

” (AVA, 2004) Members can gain some idea of the scope of the AVPA’s activities from the responsibilities allocated to members of the Board of Directors in 1998-99; few of the many activities include Accreditation Programs, Australian Veterinary Schools Accreditation Committee, Commercial Activities, Australian Veterinary Schools Accreditation Committee, and AVA Business ; Strategic Plans. The AVPA code of practice on antibiotics is endorsed by the Australian Chicken Meat Federation. The Australian Chicken Meat Federation is the peak co-coordinating body for participants in the chicken meat industries in Australia.

“The Federation is responsible for the co-ordination of the various activities of the State Chicken Meat Councils and makes recommendations to the Councils on matters concerning the industry as a whole. ” (ACMF, 2004). Some of their many objectives include the promotion and protection of the interests of the chicken meat industry; the conduct or support of research on all aspects of the industry; the securing of representation on appropriate committees, boards and commissions and the approaching of government bodies on all matters of concern to the industry.

Why the chosen business networks are appropriate to my workplace All the following associations discussed previously are part of the Practitioner Network, contributing goods and services to such organisations as Lenards. These 3 business networks are very important for the Lenards poultry marketing and selling business. Lenards needs to know the most effective and modern techniques of marketing ways. The Australian Marketing Institute is appropriate for my workplace at Lenards as it meets the changing needs of marketers, delivering services to help members maximize their professional growth.

“They provide leadership for the marketing community as the authoritative voice of the marketing profession recognized by Industry, Government and the community and through its own actions. ” (Crowe, 2004) They also would provide Lenards with commercial advantage through the provision of information and intelligence not generally available or easily accessible from other sources, and develop a financial resource base to fund long term strategic development and member services.