I like the old and new network comparisons. It truly is amazing how much things have changed and continue to change.
As long as I've been in the computer game and as much as I've seen (I played PONG and LOVED IT!), I learn new wonderous things every day about the internet, new website, webapp, twitter and most of all about the people in my social network.
It's amazing how often things I've learned or read/heard from my "virtual" group of friends has helped me in the real world. It's so satisfying whenever I learn that I've actually helped someone out there with something I've shared or posted. Talk about give n' take. It's the seesaw of life.
I'm a veteran geek and yet a noob 2.0 and loving it.
Pai
tvorse
· 1 year ago
I dig your opinion on this subject. My industry is more old media than new so networks for me work may not be exactly the same.
I find the the old networks may find you new opportunities but are usually pretty homogenous and sometimes do offer the growth or new opportunity. Since the companies are so similar chances are the reason your leaving one will be a reason at the next one.
Social networks are great for meeting people all over the place but as you state really are a network of "friendlies". I can learn so much from these people but chances my next opportunity may not come from there. You wouldn't know me enough to recommend me.
Lastly are those people who know you enough to be comfortable but also diverse enough to expand your potential. Currently I am at school part-time to finish my MBA. So there are a bunch of professional together for a semester. This is long enough to create connections that could potentially be useful. I have seen several people find their next career through their classmates. I believe these relationships can produce new opportunities for people looking to change their lives. Or at least their career.
CT Moore
· 1 year ago
Brilliant post, Chris.
It's now what you know, it's who you know because every extra set of hands helps lighten that load.
The way that social media is allowing to both expand and integrate the networks through which we share info (in a Venn diagram kind of way), however, reminds me a lot of the collective of the borg. Perhaps that's the resistance people have to their potential: as much as they stand to gain by participating, they feel that their individuality will be compromised because there's so much being shared that their own contribution will become just another numbered piece of the puzzle.
GeekMommy
· 1 year ago
I love everything about this - except that first paragraph that had me confused as to where you were going.
I think there's one thing I'd add to about the credit - not just not taking it, but making sure to give it when due. I'm always surprised at people who don't do that... just acknowledging what someone else has said or done sometimes means the world to someone.
Additionally? As we both know, I'm a big fan of saying "I was wrong" when you turn out to be wrong. As in - "I was wrong... the Twitter Packs turned out to be a good thing that wasn't abused." ;)
I kind of wish there were another word outside of "friends/friendlies" we could use - because some of the people in my network I believe have either become real friends or have the potential to - but some are more of the nature you describe... and I don't want to either devalue those relationships, or mistakenly inflate them either.
I'll ruminate more on this and no doubt blog about it myself - once I figure out what I really think about it!
But thanks for having me in your network!
Charlie Hope
· 1 year ago
Very insightful and commendable post.
I'm always staggered by the amount of good stuff out there! It makes me think, I had a such a narrow view, or why didn't I think of it like that.
Thanks Chris.
Warren Whitlock
· 1 year ago
I've been looking for a concise answer to the frequetly ask question "What's so different about networking today?" (or the variation from friend and family "Why do you do that all day?"
I'll now just link them to this article
Thanks
The Notorious LB3
· 1 year ago
Nicely said as always Chris.
I like to think that I keep my network strong by staying in touch with individuals rather than groups all the time. Occasionally reaching out to an individual means a facebook/myspace comment, an @twitter message, a comment on a blog post, email of a link to an article or an actual message, snailmail of a magazine clipping, a text message or even a quick phone call.
These are the things that make me feel valued as a member of someone else's network and I try to do the same with mine. That personal touch makes all the difference.
KeyJ63
· 1 year ago
Great article. I am a first time reader of you blog today but I will be back often (adding your RSS to my reader now). I really enjoyed this article on networking and I believe that social networking is only in its infancy and the power that it will have in a few years will blow the minds even of those of us who see it coming.
Fokke Kooistra
· 1 year ago
Thanks Chris! You put to words what I have felt for quite some time now. It amazes me how fulfilling sharing is. And not always global. Through Twitter I have connected to some people from the city I live in. I wouldn't have met them in real life but now I have.
Jeff
· 1 year ago
Great post Chris. I really believe in the value of diversity and opportunity in your networks. This is especially true in the music industry. If you are a guitar player looking for more guitar opportunities, it makes a lot more sense to have drummers, pianists, and bass players in your network rather than just a bunch of guitar buddies.
When opportunities arise, the most intelligent people find others who are different than themselves and who will compliment their skill sets and add value.
Kim
· 1 year ago
Wow! I have really come to see the value of networking from a business perspective. Not only do I use social networking sites to help drive business, but using it personality to gain knowledge has been a great alternative to watching t.v.!
All Comments
As long as I've been in the computer game and as much as I've seen (I played PONG and LOVED IT!), I learn new wonderous things every day about the internet, new website, webapp, twitter and most of all about the people in my social network.
It's amazing how often things I've learned or read/heard from my "virtual" group of friends has helped me in the real world. It's so satisfying whenever I learn that I've actually helped someone out there with something I've shared or posted. Talk about give n' take. It's the seesaw of life.
I'm a veteran geek and yet a noob 2.0 and loving it.
Pai
I find the the old networks may find you new opportunities but are usually pretty homogenous and sometimes do offer the growth or new opportunity. Since the companies are so similar chances are the reason your leaving one will be a reason at the next one.
Social networks are great for meeting people all over the place but as you state really are a network of "friendlies". I can learn so much from these people but chances my next opportunity may not come from there. You wouldn't know me enough to recommend me.
Lastly are those people who know you enough to be comfortable but also diverse enough to expand your potential. Currently I am at school part-time to finish my MBA. So there are a bunch of professional together for a semester. This is long enough to create connections that could potentially be useful. I have seen several people find their next career through their classmates. I believe these relationships can produce new opportunities for people looking to change their lives. Or at least their career.
It's now what you know, it's who you know because every extra set of hands helps lighten that load.
The way that social media is allowing to both expand and integrate the networks through which we share info (in a Venn diagram kind of way), however, reminds me a lot of the collective of the borg. Perhaps that's the resistance people have to their potential: as much as they stand to gain by participating, they feel that their individuality will be compromised because there's so much being shared that their own contribution will become just another numbered piece of the puzzle.
I think there's one thing I'd add to about the credit - not just not taking it, but making sure to give it when due. I'm always surprised at people who don't do that... just acknowledging what someone else has said or done sometimes means the world to someone.
Additionally? As we both know, I'm a big fan of saying "I was wrong" when you turn out to be wrong. As in - "I was wrong... the Twitter Packs turned out to be a good thing that wasn't abused." ;)
I kind of wish there were another word outside of "friends/friendlies" we could use - because some of the people in my network I believe have either become real friends or have the potential to - but some are more of the nature you describe... and I don't want to either devalue those relationships, or mistakenly inflate them either.
I'll ruminate more on this and no doubt blog about it myself - once I figure out what I really think about it!
But thanks for having me in your network!
I'm always staggered by the amount of good stuff out there! It makes me think, I had a such a narrow view, or why didn't I think of it like that.
Thanks Chris.
I'll now just link them to this article
Thanks
I like to think that I keep my network strong by staying in touch with individuals rather than groups all the time. Occasionally reaching out to an individual means a facebook/myspace comment, an @twitter message, a comment on a blog post, email of a link to an article or an actual message, snailmail of a magazine clipping, a text message or even a quick phone call.
These are the things that make me feel valued as a member of someone else's network and I try to do the same with mine. That personal touch makes all the difference.
When opportunities arise, the most intelligent people find others who are different than themselves and who will compliment their skill sets and add value.