Comments on: Does Anyone Know What Networking Really Means Anymore?

By: Malcom

Malcom — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:48:20 +0000

I agree with you alot of sites try to out do each other, and run each other out of bussiness. If you really want a social networking site that does not care about that you should join http://FriendsList.tk

By: Elling Hamso

Elling Hamso — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:04:05 +0000

My friend Patric Delaney says: Be interested, not interesting, your wisdom in a nutshell I think. I also recommend Daniel Goleman’s latest book ‘Social Intelligence’ which explains the neurology of face to face interaction. I could never understand the statement that the words we speak are only 20% of our communication, the rest is body language, now I understand. But the most fascinating potential is combining the two, meeting face to face your virtual friends.

By: Yvonne A Jones

Yvonne A Jones — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:48:33 +0000

I absolutely agree with the contents of the post and because I attend several networking events I often see people racing around promoting what they do without waiting to be asked. The point about not expecting instant gratification is well taken because here again people attribute not receiving immediate business to a networking failure rather than a failure on their part to GIVE first. The receiving will come once relationships are developed. Thanks for the reminders.

By: Linda Elland

Linda Elland — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Great article! Bottom line … don’t SELL at a networking event. Build relationships with people. Have your elevator speech ready ONLY if they ask about you. A successful networking event is one where you really get to know some people. Listen intently and make a couple of mental notes. Find their needs, make a friend. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Thank you for reminding us about the Rules!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:43:47 +0000

I think people do lose track of the giving mentality. That is the key to growing relationships. When ever i meet someone i really think hard how can impact there lives. Love the article

By: Andrew Brinkworth

Andrew Brinkworth — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:32:57 +0000

I agree that the heart of any network must be real relationships. I look at Social Networks as a way to get to know people before taking the relationships to the next level. Kind of like Speed dating. You get to know enough to find out if getting to know them better is worth it.
Andrew Brinkworth
florida marketing
from Andrian

By: Greg Paskill

Greg Paskill — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:06:20 +0000

Networking is unfortunately oversold as a means to land jobs. You had incredible insight when you pointed out to not expect instant gratification from it.

I myself have never networked to get a job. I really love cold calling people. I do like developing that relationship component that other commenters spoke about. Nevertheless, I’ve never liked this idea that in order to get a job, I have to wait for somebody else to introduce me. If employers want self-starter, self-motivated types, why delay with a middleman? Why not go direct and show them WHAT I know, not WHO?

In every position I’ve landed, I’ve demonstrated to my employer that you are first dealing with me because of my competence. You’re not doing business with me because of special favors to anybody. If you make a decision to go along with me, it’s because you as a self-thinking individual reached those productive conclusions, not because you needed someone else to make your decision for you. Delegation is one thing, overrelying on a network instead of yourself is another.

By: Jared O'Toole

Jared O'Toole — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:59:05 +0000

I agree that effective networking still needs to take place the old fashioned way. But I think all these new online tools allow that to happen more frequently

I can go to a conference and know 10-20 people that I started talking with on twitter or something and then can meet them.