What makes a successful CEPN pt 3: Business Development

This particular blog post series began because I am often asked what makes a successful CEPN?

So far, I have covered that a successful CEPN has effective leadership and day to day management. These posts can be found here:

• What Makes A Successful CEPN Pt 1: Leadership

• What Makes a Successful CEPN? Pt 2: Your Core Operating Team

In this post I am going to talk about business development, as in the early years of building a network, I believe the successful CEPN is always looking for opportunities to; grow, raise their profile, increase their income and cement their role in the system.

This drive does stretch limited resources, but these CEPNs are entrepreneurial:

• moving quickly

• ensuring proposals include funds to support the project’s implementation

• drawing in other stakeholders to take on clinical leadership roles

• easily connecting activity to local and national strategies

• responding to tight deadlines

Whilst some opportunities are purposely sent to CEPN leads, the successful CEPN also;

• makes the effort to seek out other sources of funding

• accepts invitations (despite their busy schedules)

• follows up after connecting with new people

Ultimately, the successful CEPN has a vision, and in order to make this happen, the network is taking leaps to try and make their vision a reality.

Other blog posts you might like:

• The Diary of a CEPN Specialist Entry 7. What is a CEPN and Frequently Asked Questions

• 8 top tips to develop a successful funding proposal

• What type of CEPN leader are you?