Facilitate Value Creation Through MetaCX Bridges

A few months ago, MetaCX launched the Business Value Network—a first-of-a-kind network that companies join to manage the expected value from their business relationships with customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. It was an exciting day, but inevitably led to a slew of questions from current and prospective users.

What happens in the network? How do companies connect? What do they DO once they connect?

One feature holds the answer to many of these inquiries. Within the network, ​​companies connect through Bridges—co-owned, digital spaces where two or more organizations come together to collaborate on shared initiatives and monitor progress toward desired outcomes. Bridges are what link companies together in the network and ensure the continuous flow of value across business ecosystems.

Which is why MetaCX wants to ensure our users are building the very best bridges they can to facilitate value creation. If you’re a current MetaCX customer or considering joining the Business Value Network, be sure to get acquainted with the bridge best practices outlined below.

Utilize your own branding when possible.

You will have countless interactions with customers, vendors, and other external stakeholders in MetaCX bridges. Use the opportunity to further establish your brand and visual identity. In each bridge you create, upload a bridge header and a custom icon for each outcome, milestone, and action item.

Title bridges with value statements.

Since a bridge’s purpose is to provide a space for companies to come together to collaborate on the creation of value, it only makes sense to title each bridge with a value statement. A value statement expresses the purpose and main priorities of a business relationship.

Use description boxes to provide context.

Bridges facilitate the exchange of value, but the definition of value varies from business relationship to business relationship. Eliminate confusion by using description boxes to explain the purpose of each bridge, the outcomes you’re working towards, and the metrics you’re using to measure success.

Pin key objects to the bridge overview page.

Highlight the most important elements of a business relationship by pinning key objects to the bridge overview page. Pinned items may change over time to reflect the status of the relationship—outcomes you’re focused on in a given timeframe or metrics that indicate problems that need to be addressed.

Keep a record of historical information in the asset section.

Typically a bridge is created after a business relationship has already formed. Use the asset section to keep a record of documents that provide key background information on the partnership including contract terms, confidentiality agreements, meeting recordings, and more.

Turn on bridge notifications to stay up-to-date.

Turn on bridge notifications so that you are made aware when another individual joins a bridge you’ve shared or interacts with any bridge element. By reacting in real time, you’re able to maintain momentum toward value realization.

Use @mentioning to eliminate confusion.

When making a comment in a bridge, use @mentioning to ensure other stakeholders are aware of who you’re directing your comments or questions to.

Be strategic about who you invite into a bridge.

Once you’ve built out the various components of a bridge and added your branding, the next step is to invite contributors. It’s important to invite both strategic stakeholders who are responsible for ensuring shared success and as well as more tactical contributors who can own action items.

When used correctly, bridges enable companies to establish persistent digital connections with other businesses in their ecosystem to ensure shared success. Imagine pulling up a bridge when you’re on a call with a customer to jointly review the status of your relationship or not having to wait until a quarterly business review to understand if a vendor is delivering on the value promised. The options are endless.

If you’re interested in learning how to start using bridges in your organization, request a demo today!