I'll add my .02 worth here, since this is a topic near and dear to our business.
We actually consider networking, that is, the active creation of relationships that have the potential to improve business, to be about the most important marketing activity we do. I've spent time both with online networking, and in-person networking. To me, it's no contest: in-person win hands-down. I would even go so far to say that all of our business for the last four years is the direct result of in-person networking in some way, and not a single deal can be attributed to online networking. I think that relationship building between humans is much more effective when ALL human communication facilities are employed, such as body language, facial expressions, touch, etc., all those things that don't come through via online networking. Of course, perhaps adding a heavy video component to online networking may close the gap, but that remains to be seen. I'll also say this: we continue to do online networking because, well, you never know! Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Ellenoff Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:14 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [NF] Facebook / LinkedIn - Worthwhile or just hype? Thanks for sharing your thoughts Matt. I agree 100% about the power of networking. What I am not convinced of, and was hoping to get opinions from others is, do these sites (or others) actually work as advertised and really improve your networking potential realistically? In other words, yeah, it sounds great on paper, but does it actually work or is it just hype? At 03:09 PM 1/29/2008, you wrote: >Steve Ellenoff wrote: ><snipped> > > > > I look forward to your thoughts pro or con about these things. > > > > Thanks > > -Steve > > > >If you think you might ever want to change jobs, or move to another >city, or do some traveling, or... > >I'm not saying any of the sites you listed are necessarily all that >great for this sort of thing (other than Ed's reference), but I'm w/ >LinkedIn and get maybe one email from the site every couple of months to >join someone's contacts. I'm selective on who's links I'll join so I >check out their associations before I blindly say "Yes". > >Network - network - network - you just never know when some obscure >remote contact could be the cool hookup you are looking for. I got my >current job because years ago I taught a geek friend how to homebrew... >years went by and one thing led to another, and here I am... > >Heck - I'm a perfect example of the whole networking thing... I don't >even do Fox any more for about 3 years and I'm still on this list, at >least lurking... ya never know when someone might want help on a >project, or something comes across your desk you can hand off to someone >else... > >I'm a BIG believer in networking being the key to professional (and >often personal) longevity. > > >-- >Matthew S. Jarvis >IT Manager, MCP >Bike Friday - "Performance That Packs!" >www.bikefriday.com >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED]@comcast.net ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
