Visible Networking

NET - Your profile on too many website... the update issue

There is a lot of good quality sites for online networking. And you could be tempted to register on several sites. (Since 2002, I must be registered on a good 25 sites now)

Ghosts: unaccurate profiles
Then comes the problem of "ghosts", old profiles which are not updated anymore... It could give a false idea of you, based on a wrong profile and falsed professional experiences.

Most of the websites with its member's profiles distinguish previous jobs from the current job: if you don't update your profile, your profile may show you as working for the same company now for 4 years whereas you moved on already 2 years ago...

The solution: one single website to update your profile?
There is no real answer to that problem: try to register on sites you find the most useful, and when something significant has changed in your professional life, update the couple of profiles accordingly. (it is not likely to happen everyday, so it should not take more than 15mn when it happens)

The solution would be an aggregator of profile: you would change all your key information on one site, and this site would automatically send the changes to the networking groups you belong to.

Technorati tags: online networking, social networking, linkedin, epwn
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NET - Good approach vs bad networker

Quite often, the worst problem is that people don't respect the rules of networking and don't know the right way to approach people.

Moreover, don't forget people are giving some of their time to help you: there is no due and it is not easy or a small thing to do

PLEASE, Customize and presonnalize your emails!


Be prepared, and be specific!


Facilitate people's life


Understand your new contact is busy
Don't harass your contact, but ask him/her a convenient time to call again should you haven't heard back. You control, and you won't disturb him/her next time you call.
Be patient and do that 2 or 3 times: if the person is so busy he can't do what he offered, be emphatic and offer to contact the other persons directly if it is ok with him.

Technorati tags: online networking, social networking, linkedin, epwn
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NET - Quality of endorsements

On websites like Linkedin, people can ask for endorsements from his contacts. This gives value to one's profile, and help create trust on the network.

One comment I came across quite often is about the quality/authenticity of the endorsement.

You ask to people who know and like you & the way you work
On your cv, you put "referrals available upon request", don't you? I would like now to talk about the persons who would endorsed your work: do you point people to a manager who did not like you and think you never fitted well into the team? You are very likely to ask people who very much liked your personality and value your achievements.
That's the same, if you use an online networking site like Linkedin.

Except that you have access to people you lost touch, so it gives you even more choice and flexibility!

People can access the endorsers' profile anytime
The strong fact which garanties the quality of your endorsements is that your endorsers are visible and you can identify them. Do you think people would risk their reputation to endorse someone not capable to achieve?

Technorati tags: online networking, social networking, linkedin, epwn
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NET - Members vs Active Users

Today, the main way of assessing how succesful a network is, is the number of members.
First, we need to differentiate vertical networks, horizontal networks, national ones and by invitation only.

A good example is the excellent Linkedin, which used to be by invitation only, and which now offer the possibility to register, they changed their strategy before colouring Linkedin with clear HR features, and a few months before launching their premium services.

I still find Linkedin the most impressive and professional business networking site, but I was not thrilled to make it open to anyone, and to orientate it as a recruitment tool: a lot of persons thinks that Linkedin is to get a job... So, many people don't bother registering, because they are not actively nor passively looking...

Three kinds and quality of members
1. Register and did not complete its profile

2. Good and completed/almost completed profile

3. Active user, with frequent connection


To conclude, I agree to have as indicator the number of members (all the networks are happy to communicate on their latest milestone), but it would be quite instructive to have access to the number of complete profiles and active users too... And those information are more difficult to collect!

Technorati tags: online networking, social networking, linkedin, epwn
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NET - Customized vs Standardized

Please customize! The more tailored, the better the reaction from the recipient.

Example of something you shouldn't do:
"You're someone I'd like to stay in touch and up to date with so I'm
inviting you to join my professional network on Ecademy.

Ecademy helps me build trusted relationships, opportunities and support
for my business:
http://www.ecademy.com?xref=8

Regards,

--
Thomas Power thomas.power@ecademy.com

This email was sent to cm_langlois@yahoo.co.uk
To avoid receiving these emails in the future send an email
from that address to mailto:invite-unsubscribe@ecademy.com"

NET - Volume vs Quality

This is one of my favourites topics too. I have met many people believing in volume as The main thing in Networking.

Their conviction being that you have to give 99 times to receive one time, and value comes from randomness: you never know you will meet, and what kind of opportunity one can bring with him!

I agree on the subject of randomness: that is probably why I love networking so much. You get to meet with fantastic people!

Nevertheless, I kind of disagree on the volume aspect: indeed, it is good to know a lot of people (or to be known by a lot of people) but it becomes quite difficult to manage.

Worst, some excellent sites like Linkedin based their approach on endorsements and incoming contact requests you  forward to your contacts: by experience, people with 1500+ contacts become more a bottle neck than a Super Nod!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
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NET - Sharing is winning

That is the basis of networking: don't expect to receive a lot the first time you log on Linkedin or participate to any networking event. It may happen though.

Give first & Connect people
A good networker is someone who share: share his experience, his expertise, his advice, and of course his contacts! Act as a NOD and connect people: first, it is gratifying, and people will like you and recommend you to their network. Word and mouth is still highly efficient in 2006: the internet is a great tool to create a buzz and spread the word (create a blog and create some trafic)

Create your opportunities
To that respect, please don't be disappointed or don't give up if you still did not find what you were looking for: persevere, develop your network, help people, build a credibility... You create your opportunities!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
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NET - Online vs Real Meetings

Online networks enable you to identify and reach people you would probably never reached otherwise.
So, it is a fantastic tool for initial contact, and then to keep in touch and keep track of one's career.

As far as I am concerned, nothing could replace a real face-to-face meeting: the human aspect plays a huge role in a relationship, whether personal or business.

So, get in touch with people online, then talk to them on the phone, and meet them!
Some online networks have Country Managers who are in charge of recruiting members and increase the brand awareness. They organize events worth attending. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet 40 people in a couple of hours. Then, it is easy to follow up, using the interface of the site!

Technorati tags: Networking Social Networking, 6 degrees, Online
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