Turn on open networking during setup

What this step is for

Turn on open networking is one of the last steps on the Account setup checklist. The page it opens is called Open Networking, and it asks two things: whether firms you've never met can be matched with yours, and — if so — what you offer a firm that refers work to you that way.

Open networking lets your firm match with firms outside your existing groups and direct connections. It broadens your reach, and it's especially helpful for connecting with service providers outside your own service line.

Why some firms don't see this step

Open networking is part of some plans and not others. It's included on Pro plans, but not on Free or on alliance memberships. If your plan doesn't include it, the step simply isn't on your checklist — it isn't hidden or locked, and your count of steps doesn't include it, so you can still reach 100%.

On those plans there's no firm-wide referral incentive to set either. You set referral terms separately for each group you join, when you join it.

The switch

The page shows a single switch, with a line above it reading Open networking is on. or Open networking is off. It takes effect the moment you click it — there's nothing else to confirm.

Only an account administrator can change this setting. Anyone else sees the switch greyed out, with that sentence beside it.

Your referral incentive

When the switch is on, a Your referral incentive box appears under it. These are the terms your firm offers a firm that refers an engagement to you through the open network. A group you join is asked separately, when you join it.

1. Answer Do you offer a referral incentive? with Yes or No.
2. If you choose Yes, fill in:
   • Brief description — shown beside your firm on a match. Keep it to one line.
   • Incentive details — shown when the other firm opens the incentive.

With the switch off, the box isn't shown and there's nothing to fill in.

Finishing the step

Press Save and continue at the top of the page. That saves your referral incentive (if you filled one in), marks the step complete, and takes you to the next unfinished step. If the incentive can't be saved, you stay on the page so nothing is lost.

You can change both the switch and your incentive later, in Collaboration Center › Open Networking — see Open networking and your referral incentive.