What is ETP Network?

Seattle, WA residents are welcome to join the ETP global network. Expand your sphere of influence.

If you've ever wanted a bird's eye view of the ETP Network, your eagle has landed. Now you can answer the question friends and associates ask; What is ETP Network?

Brand new and hot off the press, the ETP Network introduces its newest publication, "The ETP Network: An Organizational Overview" designed, written, and compiled by Editor-in-Chief Chip Hartman and his creative team.

Quick, grab your copy right now through the ETP Network toolbar > CEO Tools > What is ETP Network?

Think of the Organizational Overview as the ETP Network's elevator speech, condensing all of the most important information about the organization into one easy-to-read online document, designed for ease of use with just one topic per page.

If you're new to the ETP Network, here is your guidebook, your road map, your orientation package, and your pocket reference all rolled into one.

So get to know the ETP Network from the ground up. Download your copy of "The ETP Network: An Organizational Overview" today. It's available at an ETPNetwork.com web site near you.

Share a copy with everyone in your network - Do it Now, before you forget!!

Jersey Shore Networking Group Meeting - November 20, 2008 at 7:00PM EST

The Seattle Networking Group is part of a larger global network call Empowering Today's Professionals Network (ETP Network). Just because you may not be able to attend networking events outside of the Seattle area, you can still expand your sphere of influence by sharing our events with people in your network. "Act local, but think global", as the ETP Network Chief Savvy Intrapreneur, Carl E. Reid, says.

The Jersey Shore Networking Group cordially invites you to attend our free monthly meeting open to both ETP Members and non-members. Our goal is to improve and further our networking skills and our grow our own networks with other business professionals using the ETP method as developed by Rod Colon. We are not a business leads network and no selling is permitted.

Space is limited to 30 attendees. Please RSVP by Monday November 17th as our last meeting was a capacity crowd. If you have any questions please contact me by email at: JerseyShoreNetworkingGroup@gmail.com use my name (Adele) in the subject line. If this Email has been forwarded to you by an invited guest please use the contact information below to assure you have a reserved seat and are added to the invitation list for future events.

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30PM EST

Location: Manalapan Library - Manalapan, NJ

Agenda:

• Educational presentation on using linked in for maximum benefit
• Round table discussion on how the group can help each attendee
• Other topics of interest for the group
  

At the conclusion for the meeting, we can get social at a near by diner.

If you did not receive an invitation or wish to join the group email us at: JerseyShoreNetworkingGroup@gmail.com

If you are interested in mass transit options please visit the NJ Transit web site at http://www.njtransit.com/ for bus schedules along Route 9 which is a block way; or you can hire a taxi from the train station which is several miles away. If you wish to car pool, please tell me your home town and I can attempt to connect people that are near each other.

Paris Hilton Works Harder Than Me (and probably you).

One of the financial blogs I read suprised me out of leftfield today with a wonderful, but slightly depressing, article. Thanks beerguy. I re-print in full, and provide the link below.

"I hate Paris Hilton. I hate her a lot more than I did a few hours ago. I can thank my sister for that.

My sister, to put it bluntly, is a royal pain in the butt. This is a feeling that many siblings share, but I can guarantee that my sister is much more annoying than yours because for all her rants and idiotic sermons on how I’m ruining my life, the truth is that she is always right. Nothing can make you more pissed off at a sibling than for them to always be correct.

My sister often stops by my place unannounced. I’m not sure if she does this to make sure that I haven’t morphed into the couch (good - because if I have, I won’t be able to get up and get beer from the fridge) or just to annoy the hell out of me (bad - and likely the real reason she stops by). This is exactly what she did as I was watching the Olympics.

She walked in and flopped down next to me on the couch with an armful of gossip magazines in her arms. Completely ignoring me, she began to leaf through them.

“Why do you insist on reading that crap?” I ask.

“Why do you insist on watching that crap?” she shot back without even lifting her head from the magazine. “At least reading this is more productive than sitting on my butt all day drinking beer and watching TV.”

“That’s debatable,” I say, feeling that I may have a winning hand in this argument. “Look at the crap you’re reading. Paris Hilton. Like that can be compared to the Olympics. Paris is a lazy, silver spoon ditz that everyone in the world hates with a passion.”

“Well, if you think that Paris is a lazy ditz, then how do you rate yourself?” she asked, finally raising her head from the magazine to look me straight in the eye.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

“Tell me exactly what you have accomplished in your life? Paris Hilton is younger than you, she has her own company, she has made a movie, she has recorded a song, she has had a hit TV show and she is highly paid to go to events. That ‘Lazy Ditz’ has worked 1000 times harder than you ever have,” she said matter of factly and then went back to reading her magazine.

“But she was born rich,” I protested. “She had all the advantages…”

“Which proves that she didn’t have to do any of the things she has accomplished if she hadn’t wanted to. She doesn’t have to do a thing and she still works harder than you,” she said while still reading her magazine as if this argument wasn’t even worth her time. “Can you name one thing that you have done better than her?”

“I’ve been to jail longer,” I said with a sly grin.

“Exactly,” she said. “My point has been proven.”

This left me with a choice to make. I could continue to be a couch potato and have to listen to my sister remind me how Paris Hilton is more productive than I am every time she comes over, or I could use this as motivation to change my ways and be productive. I decided to use it as motivation to become more productive.

When my sister left, I got up off the couch, picked up the pile of magazines my sister had left and tore out all the photos of Paris. I then headed down into the basement with Paris photos in one hand and my beer in the other. I tacked up the Paris photos to the dart board and started throwing darts as hard as I could at her face for the next hour as I slowly sipped my beer and contemplated how I could be more productive.

I don’t know if this actually helped me to think more about my life and what I want to accomplish, but it sure felt good to take out some frustration. And it got me off the couch. Baby steps. You always have to start with baby steps."

You can find this article and more at the Savingadvice blog.

Don't Give People Personal Recessions

Tim Saunders, formally the Leadership Coach and Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo, writes a blog that I find inspirational and motivational in thinking about how I perform day-to-day. This week, Tim wrote an article that I'm happy to share with you about our recession, and how not to let it lead to a recession within yourself.

"An economic recession is a retraction phase in the business cycle. In short, it’s a period when the economy stops growing.

In the current case, the retraction probably started late last year and should last through the middle of next year, although this is a point of great debate. Economic recessions are usually induced by deteriorating business conditions and then fueled by a loss in consumer or business confidence.

Recessions create hard times for businesses everywhere, causing them to pull back on investments and cut back staff hours and/or pay. Today, everyone is feeling the impact of the economic recession. I’ve talked to a few people that were laid off and others who have had to take a pay cut to keep their jobs.

While economic recessions are beyond our control, the creation of personal recessions is not. By personal recession, I mean a retraction phase in the personal growth and happiness cycle. Much like economies, individuals have their own up and down cycles too. These recessions are induced by crumbling professional and personal conditions, leading to a loss in personal confidence and security.

I think that companies roll their problems down to their people and often convert economic recessions in mass personal recessions – which is a tragedy. How does this happen? First pay gets cut, then job security grows scarce. Managers and owners become less engaged with their troops and little mentorship and coaching occurs. Training programs are considered luxuries and celebrations or recognition programs shrivel up. Employees, already feeling the financial brunt of the recession, stop growing and become unhappy.

This is preventable! If you own a small business or manage people, you need to compensate for financial cutbacks by offering your intangibles (time, compassion, advice) to your employees to help them through these times. You need to encourage them to go to scheduled training classes and take their vacations as scheduled.

Believe me, if your company gets this wrong, it will pay the price when the economy comes back and job opportunities abound. People will never forget how you behaved at the bottom of the business cycle, and word of mouse will be your worst enemy.

A few days ago, my son’s employer took the entire team to an inexpensive dinner at a local restaurant. It rejuvenated the team, restored some personal confidence and averted what many other people are feeling today. That’s long view thinking, and will lead to a strong employer brand. During the dotcom crash, Yahoo employees lost much of their net worth and many faced losing their homes or cars. They’d come in every day with that “deer in the headlines” look. So I went on a “Refresh” campaign and traveled all over the United States, talking to managers about the importance of giving away intangibles to employees when money was scarce. Maybe you should start a “refresh” campaign too!"

You can learn more about Tim Saunders, and subscribe to his blog from: http://www.timsanders.com/

Keep Networking Alive.

David

ME, Inc. is in Control of the Roller Coaster

by Carl E. Reid

Up - Down - Up Again -Then Back Down one more time . . . Welcome to the "Job" roller coaster ride. This ride is consistently powered by the perceived fear imposed by supposed economic indicators.

The American Dream is no longer attained by the old formula
(four-year degree + "good company" = career progression).

Let's face it. You aren't down, because you're out of a job. You're down, because your income has stopped abruptly. Not being able to pay bills and take care of a family is what brings us down. If we start running ourselves like a business, the business of ME,Inc., we'll always be up and in control of the job roller coaster.

As an employee, the company you work for is a client. With that said, review the comparison below to start profitably running the company of ME, Inc. You are now at the controls of the job roller coaster.

Business Owner
1.Write a 5-year business plan. Review every 3 months and make adjustments. Business plan is a report card. It shows where you are now, where you're going and how you achieve profitable results. It is a proactive document.

ME, Inc.
1.Meet with boss to write a development plan. Include evaluation tasks. Review every 3 months. Get feedback from boss to make adjustments. Waiting until your 6 month or yearly evaluation for feedback is career suicide.

Business Owner
2. Marketing with ads, brochures, and business cards for product branding. Following up after the sale is marketing. Sending thank you or special occasion cards to clients is a great marketing tool for customer relationship management (CRM). The goal of all marketing activities is to creatively keep your name in front of people and always say "thank you" and "please".
Send clients article clippings on topics that interest them.

ME, Inc.
2. Market yourself with your attire, posture, communication and interpersonal skills. Something simple as sending an email is marketing. Make sure your email signature reflects your image. Remember to copy even peripheral people on emails, as you progress on a project. Keep your name in front of people and always say "thank you" and "please". Building rapport with people is marketing.

Business Owner
3. Selling includes all activities involved in winning the confidence of potential and current clients by creating win-win solutions for clients and your company. Be in the business of serving clients, not making money. The money will always follow and so will referrals, which increases sales.

ME, Inc.
3. Selling occurs all the time at a job. Making a presentation to people on a strategy or solution, quality assignment completion, interaction with co-workers is all selling scenarios. When you become the "Go to" person on your team, then people are sold on you and your skills. Mission accomplished.

Business Owner
4. Seek Advice from others; Board of directors, lawyer, accountant, mentors and business associates outside organization. Associate with other successful business owners. Partner with vendors to solicit advice from them. Talk to CEOs of companies and ask them what makes their company profitable.

ME, Inc.
4. Associate with like-minded people who can help you develop your career. Find a couple of mentors. To increase your salary, associate with people who make more than you. Ask them how they became successful. Score some browning points with your boss, by asking them how they achieved their promotion.

Business Owner
5. Networking. Get involved in organizations and events that allow for meeting new people. ALWAYS carry and give out business cards. Read article below.

ME, Inc.
5. Networking. ALWAYS carry business cards. You never know who you will meet, who may help you in advancing your career.

Business Owner
6. Diversify profit centers with multiple clients. Cross-sell products or services. 20/80 rule says 80% of profits come from 20% of current client base. The rest comes from new clients. Once you sold to a client once, it's easier to introduce a new product. Get referrals from satisfied customers. They're your best sales people.

ME, Inc.
6. Diversify income to at least equal take home pay. This is the control switch for the job roller coaster. Have more than one client, other than your employer. Use your current skills to pick up a few additional clients or start a part time business. What would you do right now, if your one and only client stopped using your services? It's not a problem if your income is diversified.

Business Owner
7. Have a business contingency back up plan, which includes having 90-120 days of operating capital.

ME, Inc.
7. Have a career back up plan.

High Impact Interview Close Achieves Getting Hired Quicker

by Carl E. Reid

The June 25, 2008 ETP Network Member conference call included the topic "High Impact Interview Close". Click here to listen to the podcast.

In a previous chapter of my life, I went on 22 job interviews and received 22 NOs. I changed my tactics. Using a tape recorder and the mirror, I took my resume profile and practiced my interview closing everyday for 4 weeks. Then I went on 3 interviews and received 3 job offers. Life is always grand when we have choices.

The resume profile can be used as an effective closing statement during the interview. The last few minutes of an interview can make all the difference. People usually remember the last few minutes of a conversation. Once you know the interview is coming to an end, your closing statement should be natural, sell the benefits of hiring you and be lively so it is a memorable commercial.

Use a tape recorder to practice, practice, practice your close. Using a video camera provides the best feedback to develop a closing that results in multiple job offers.

Social Networking and Collectible Cars Mingle

As we know the world is an event, our ETP Network partner organization, Westchester New Rochelle Networking Group, is hosting a business networking social June 17, 2008 at New York City's #1 collectible car dealership TNT Classic Cars. This is a unique venue where people can travel back to yesteryear viewing vintage cars from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's, while connecting with like minded career professionals and business owners. Ahhh . . . they don't build cars like that any more.

Although this opportunity to network may be a hike from your neck of the woods, you can still network long distance. Maybe you have family, friends or associates in the New York, New Jersey or Connecticut area. [Re]Connect with them by letting them know about this event. Use the email or phone call about this networking event as an excuse to catch up with someone you haven't spoken to in a while. It doesn't matter, if they go to the event or not. You're just letting someone know you were thinking about them and you care about their success. This simple gesture is a networking home run!!

Click here for details on this networking opportunity.

10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards

Carl E. Reid

Whether you are looking for a job or running a business, giving out business cards is crucial to marketing your skills or services. Even as a job seeker, develop the mindset of running the business of YOU, Inc. Business cards speak volumes about who you are, what you offer and how serious you are marketing YOU, Inc. as a business. Oh! So, you have a resume and don't need business cards. Can you carry 10 resumes in your wallet' Do you or can you carry your resume everywhere you go' A church bell ringing lets people know they are open for business. Your business card is your bell. Here are some proven tips using business cards to increase your chances of landing a job or creating a business opportunity.

1. Never leave home without them. Before leaving home, your checklist should be expanded to include business cards, as part of "do I have my wallet/money, house keys, driver's license'" Any 'per chance' meeting is an opportunity to give out a business card. A morning run or a quick trip to the local store could be an opportunity to network. My wife and I always ask each other 'do you have business cards', before leaving the house. Make it a habit to carry business cards.

2. Insert a business card when mailing bill payments. Bills contain advertisements. Why can't you advertise your skills or services the same way' Insert a business card with your payment. You may not think a person in South Dakota who opens your credit card bill payment can help you. Never underestimate the power of networking. A movie, entitled '6 Degrees of Separation' points out we are 6 people away from knowing someone of influence. You could be 6 people away from knowing the President of the United Sates, your favorite movie star or someone who is in a position to hire your skills or services. Each of us knows someone, who knows someone, who knows someone etc. Developing this powerful networking attitude will be a fundamental source of continued success.

3. Use proper business card etiquette. Whenever you give a business card, ask for a business card. When given a business card, don't just take it and place it in your pocket. Make the person feel important by looking at their card for a few seconds. You might see something that could be a topic of discussion. Write comments on the card such as date, location and common points of interest. These comments will prove valuable when following up with that person. This also demonstrates a sincere interest in the other person. Then place it in your wallet. This lets them know they reside in a special place with you. "Skill with People" by Les Giblin is a book that expands on this approach. Make people feel important, in order to make yourself important to them.

4. Be generous. Give business cards out to everyone, including family and friends. Don't let vanity stop you from giving out your last business card or giving 2 at a time to each person. I have met many people who have totally missed the purpose of a business card. I once asked a person for a second business card, so I could refer his services. His response was "I only have a few cards left and I need them", as he looked again at his name on the card. Hoarding your business cards only makes your wallet feel full, not your bank account.

5. Ask for referrals. When giving a business card, people feel more comfortable when you ask; 'I would appreciate a referral, if you know anyone that could use my services'. Don't make people feel like they are on the spot. This approach disarms people much better than asking them, 'is your company hiring'' People naturally like to do favors for people. Saying 'could you do me a favor by referring my services to someone'. This always places you in a better position with them. They will feel better about helping you. Give them 2 cards.

6. Maximize every "per chance" meeting. You never know when you might meet someone who can help you. Family or friends social events could produce unexpected encounters with people. Don't discount those events. So you're going to a birthday party for your friend's kid. You never know who you might meet. At a family holiday gathering last year, I met someone that has been instrumental in developing our business this year. Who would have thought this could happen by giving him a simple business card.

7. Place yourself at the right place at the right time. Have you been to a job fair or business conference and been disappointed with the networking results' Turn the tables around. Consider volunteering to help out at the job fair or other types of events. This puts you in a better strategic position for presenting your resume or business card. Company representatives might view you differently, if they know you are willing to go the extra mile in helping them make their presence easier to manage. Get involved by visiting Eventme.com, TheLunchClub.net, Craigslist.com or view the calendar of events for JacobJavitsCenter.com to place yourself in opportunities for giving out your business card. Volunteering for events has been a very successful resource for my business partner and I to expanding our business. Zig Ziglar, one of the most successful sales trainers in the world says "if you help enough people get what they want in life, you will get what you want in life".

8. Use "In Your Face" follow up. Did you ever have a job interview or meeting with a recruiter, potential client or employer and wonder why they never called you back' 'Out of sight, out of mind' is the operative phrase to remember. Today's economic climate dictates you might be competing with 20, 50, 100 or more other people for the same position or contract. It's quite a task for people to keep track of each individual meeting. So it's up to you to give a person a reason to call you back. Immediately after a meeting snail mail a hand written note thanking the person for their time. Insert your business card. Now you're in the driver's seat in standing out from other people. If you get no response, do it again. Patience and persistence pays off.

9. Use promotions to promote YOU, Inc. Newspapers often have stories of people being promoted to high levels in different organizations' This is an opportunity for you. Consider getting some invitation size blank greeting cards. Use the Internet's search capabilities to find out the address of the company's executive offices. Send the blank invitation type card with a hand written note sincerely congratulating a person on their promotion. Insert your business card. For the cost of a 37-cent stamp, you have just made someone's day and may create an impression that makes a person feel compelled to respond back to you. Make it a habit to do this once a week. Remember '6 Degrees of Separation'. You just never know . . . People open invitation type envelops faster than any others.

10. Brand yourself with a slogan. Print a slogan on your business card that answers the question 'Why should I hire you' Or "What makes you different from everyone else'" A catchy phrase or slogan insures people ALWAYS associate a company name with their product or services. People remember even after the commercial is over. That's called branding. Companies pay big bucks to advertising agencies to come up with these lasting slogans. Consider doing the exact same thing on your business card. This is your insurance people remember you, after you meet. Don't just put Hortence Smiley, Accountant on your business card. Add something like "Financial Services With Integrity". A slogan makes all the difference between getting hired or not, because people will remember you long after a meeting.

Happy trails networking . . .

About the Author
In addition to being a sought after speaker and published author,
Carl E. Reid advises small businesses on Internet Business-2-Business opportunities. Carl's workshops combine proven professional "career management" techniques with "street smart" business savvy. He learned both perspectives as a career professional and entrepreneur.

Carl E. Reid founded Savvy Intrapreneur, a business career coaching organization and he publishes a globally syndicated newsletter Savvy Intrapreneur, which teaches professionals how to run their career as a profitable business.
Carl is also the ETP Event Leader for the Westchester New Rochelle Networking Group, located on the eastern U.S.
Email: CReid3005@gmail.com

How to Build Relationships

Thomas E. Kenny alerted me to the following interview on Dr. Oz's XFM show with Keith Ferrazzi.

Original Air Date: June 6, 2008

"Networking" may seem like a smarmy word, but author Keith Ferrazzi says getting to know people from all walks of life and building strong relationships with them is never a bad thing. Dr. Oz talks with Keith about how to build personal relationships and shares tips from his book Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time.

Whether you want a new job or a romantic relationship, chances are you need to network with others to get it. "Everything that you want to achieve in life is with and through other people," Keith says. Making friends with people you meet is the first step toward getting what you want, and Keith says you do that by getting to know everyone on a personal level—even business contacts. "There is no such thing as a business relationship—there are only personal relationships in a business context that you are fearful of creating a personal relationship with," he says.

So how do you create personal relationships with the people you encounter? Keith offers two suggestions:

* Find reasons to care about others. A good way to ensure you'll connect with something about a new person is to project positive thoughts onto them. "Before you even meet them, you could project enjoying them—it's amazing what the mind does," Keith says.
* Offer others reasons to like you. Be generous with others and help them achieve their own success in any way you can, Keith says. If you create an environment around yourself that invites people in and makes them want to have a relationship with you, Keith says you'll be surrounded by positive personal relationships.

Related Resources

* Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz


You can listen to part of the show at: http://www2.oprah.com/xm/moz/moz_main.jhtml

Using Online Tools to Help Build Professional Networking Relationships

One of our ETP Network Board of Advisors, Thomas E. Kenny, is an accomplished writer on networking. Tom wrote the following piece about the importance of building relationships in professional network and some ideas on how to use online internet tools to accomplish them. I am happy to share it with you all.

by Thomas E. Kenny
Much of this focuses on the use of online internet tools but that should not be a substitute for telephone calls nor face to face meetings when the relationship develops to that stage.

Stage 1. Get to know the person you want to develop a relationship with via their work and their interests.

• Search for their LinkedIn profile but don't ask to connect to them yet as the value of the relationship is not yet known.
  
• Search for their Facebook profile but don't ask to be a friend yet.
  
• Search for them on twitter and follow them if permission is not required.
  
• Find out what publications (magazine, e-newsletters, podcasts) they contribute to or publish and of course read them.
  
• Find out what organizations they belong to and consider joining them. Sharing a common interest can provide a common bond in the future.
  
• If possible find out what blogs they read and post comments to.
  
• Google them to find out more ways to reach them. If they are a publicly known individual setup a Google alert so you'll know when they or their company are in the news.
  

Stage 2. Provide positive valuable feedback on their work to get on their radar screen.

• Purchase their product or service and give direct feedback (not only good points but constructive valuable criticisms and ways they can improve/expand).
  
• Read and leave valuable comments on their blog if they have one and on blogs you know that they read.
  
• Recommend their product/service on LinkedIn.
  
• If appropriate (i.e. a book) write a useful and insightful review on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.
  

Stage 3. Create a vehicle for an ongoing direct dialog that is of mutual benefit.

• Build a relationship with those that connect you to that person if you haven't yet established a direct relationship.
  
• Find a way to continually provide value to them on an ongoing basis to keep the relationship alive. For example, provide endorsements and referals for their product/service.
  
• Once you have a trusted relationship ask to connect with them on Linkedin, Facebook and Plaxo.
  
• Get to know their birthday (if you have not obtained it already via Plaxo) and what holidays they observe so you can contact them on those dates.
  
• Get to know more about them such as if they are a Mother, Father, Veteran or other things you may have in common.
  
• If they require permission to follow them on twitter this may be the time to ask.
  
• Keep an eye on changes to their profiles, Google alerts and such and congratulate them or comment on news regarding them.
  
• As the relationship develops occasional phone calls and face to face meetings should occur.
  

Stage 4. Leverage your relationship.

• Once you have a lasting trusted relationship you may now ask for a favor or assistance regarding a shared interest.
  
• However, of course remember that networking is a two way street. If a favor is asked of you do whatever you can to deliver.
  
• Now your strong relationship will reach out so that friends of friends on both sides benefit as the cycle of networking continues like ripples on a pond.
  
• There is a lot here to consider and each item is not always applicable, but I've tried to cover all bases.
  
• Building mutually valuable relationships requires a serious investment of time. However, I'll let you in on a secret. In committing to such you have an advantage since not everybody is willing to make that investment. Those that don't understand the value of networking and who are looking for quick drive by results won't do such. So be smart and successful by using the above road map to achieve your professional goals via building valuable warm trusted relationships!
  
• I've found the ETP Network to be an excellent educational venue and I'm very happy to share what I've learned. The favor I ask of you is to please supply me with feedback. If you've found some thing that worked for you please share so that we can all learn from our mutual experiences. On the other hand if some thing above does not work for you please let us know so that we can determine alternatives as well.
  
• Finally, I have to thank Chip Hartman for being such a great catalyst and mentor regarding my writings. Some times I don't realize the wealth of useful knowledge I've learned via my professional networking and involvement in the ETP Network. So Chip thanks for reminding me and encouraging me to share with the group.

Thanks Thomas, a great article. If anyone has any thoughts on this article, I'd love to receive them, and feel free to pass them on to Thomas.

The Future of Social Networking

The Future Of Social Networks

From: charleneli, 3 months ago

| View | Upload your own

Full blog post at http://tinyurl.com/3yc8q5. Presented at Graphing Social Patterns, March 3, 2008 in San Diego. Theme: "Social networks will be like air".


SlideShare Link

What Is Networking?

Networking is the process of building and maintaining relationships. It’s the development of a team that will support your efforts and the efforts of your network teammates to reach your respective goals. In practice, networking is the establishment of multiple informal, loosely knit, mutual-support alliances. The object is to build the best possible team.

Networking is about forging bonds and sharing. It’s connecting with people who have common interests and objectives and generously give to one another. Networking extends into every aspect of your life; it’s something you’ve been doing all of your life without realizing it. When you recommend a movie, a housecleaner, or a personal trainer, you’re networking.

We network as soon as we start making our own decisions. As kids, our friends introduce us to the latest and greatest; they turn us on to a constant flow of new friends and information.

The object of networking should not be simply to make contacts; it should be to make the best possible contacts! Naturally, what constitutes “the best” is subjective and will vary with the individuals and the circumstances involved. However, seeking the best should always be your objective!

Goodwill is the foundation for making great contacts; it supports and underlies all of your networking efforts. To successfully network with the best you must constantly create goodwill and then build upon that goodwill to forge bonds that develop into close, meaningful relationships.

Implicit in networking is the understanding that there will be a giving back, an exchange, “if you do for me, I’ll do for you.” This unspoken swap of mutual promises underlies networks and keeps them together. Ironically, however, the best networkers are those who give to others because they sincerely love to give and not because they hope to receive something in return. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to give; even the most giving and generous networkers will eventually stop giving when they repeatedly receive nothing in return.

Networks are not built overnight. They take time, patience, and nurturing. It will also take time to discover what your network partners need and to continually try to find opportunities to fully satisfy those needs.

(Rick Frishman and Jill Lublin)Networking Magic – 2004 – Adams Media