The Knowledge Vine for Financial and Professional Services

Tap into pro·manchester's Knowledge Vine – a free e-knowledge network
As featured recently in Crains Buisness News, pro·manchester is offering its members a new emailed-based networking system, in partnership with the University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd (UMIP).

The Knowledge Vine (www.theknowledgevine.net) is a simple, powerful and free tool offering professionals the opportunity to tap into the shared knowledge and experience of a community of professionals.  Developed by experts at the university, the system has been operating successfully in other business sectors since October 2006.

How it works
Users can pose a knowledge request in the form of a single sentence question to a central email address for members of the group. The request email is then forwarded to group members. If someone on the network has the knowledge or information you are looking for they will reply directly back.

The network is based on trust and professionalism, so must adhere to the following criteria to work successfully:

1. Only one concise sentence allowed each time                                                                                           
2. The sentence must be a question
3. Replies only to go the person asking the question (automatically)
4. No offers, promotions or advertising

Sample question formats are:

• Where can I find…?
• Has anyone heard of…?
• Can anyone recommend…?
• Has anyone had experience of…?
• Does anyone have contacts at…?

The simple format and strict criteria makes the system efficient and avoids spam. Emails are so short and concise that they are easy to digest.
Feedback is extremely positive – the relevance and quality of replies is high and people not only find it informative but it encourages new connections.

How to join and use
Members just need to follow the following simple steps to activate their access to The Knowledge Vine:
i) Register on the site www.theknowledgevine.net
ii) Join the pro manchester group and any other groups that are of interest
iii) Activate your response by replying to the activation email
iv) Once you are set up, all you need to do is post your question to the group at pro-manchester@theknowledgevine.net

For further information contact:
Rachel Smith, 0161 833 0964 / rachel.smith@pro-manchester.co.uk