Networking Insight

LinkedIn Finding Ways for Users to Connect More

According to the article, LinkedIn Wants Users to Connect More, the professional networking site is continually adding new features to create more ways for users to interact. Research firm comScore said that visitors "spent about 13 minutes on average at LinkedIn during October, while Facebook users logged about 213 minutes and MySpace users spent 87 minutes."

One way that LinkedIn is trying to do this is allowing third-party developers to create new applications for the site. Unlike Facebook, all applications accepted to LinkedIn must be professionally oriented. Based on this data, you can see why LinkedIn is trying to find ways to create more stickiness to its site. LinkedIn will soon be offering some new subscription packages that could incentive people to use the site more as well. 

According to the author of the article mentioned, LinkedIn is "mostly used by professionals to post their resumes and by corporate recruiters looking for talent." I disagree with this statement because LinkedIn has a thriving community of groups in which users interact and share their expertise. At the same time, LinkedIn is a great tool to make some new contacts. After all, that is one of the primary reasons to use the system. Also, it is true that recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent but users also use LinkedIn to find jobs.

What are your thoughts about LinkedIn? Do you think that it will lose out to other sites such as Facebook and MySpace?

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Book Review: The Law of Forgiveness by Connie Domino

The Law of Forgiveness: Tap in to the Positive Power of Forgiveness--and Attract Good Things to YourLife was written by Connie Domino who is a nationally acclaimed life coach, trainer, registered nurse, support group facilitator, motivational speaker, and educational counselor who teaches public health nursing at the University of North Carolina. In addition, she is the author of Law of Attraction: Develop Irresistible Attraction.

Connie was motivated to write this book because of the results of her successful workshops on forgiveness. She has witnessed that this powerful law works so she wanted to share it with more people.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: My Personal Journey in Understanding Forgiveness
Chapter 2: Enacting or Invoking Forgiveness
Chapter 3: Scientific Evidence for the Power of Forgiveness
Chapter 4: Using the Law of Forgiveness to Heal Our Relationships
Chapter 5: But I’m Still Angry…Working Through the Cycle of Healing When Forgiving
Chapter 6: The Law of Forgiveness at Work
Chapter 7: Using Forgiveness for Health and Healing
Chapter 8: Mad at the World: Using Forgiveness to Reach a Higher Consciousness and Live Your Best Life
Chapter 9: The Big Picture: From Personal Forgiveness to World Peace

Connie begins the book by explaining how she became a believer in the law of forgiveness, which is important for understanding her perspective.  Because of her successful journey of helping others, she is excited to share her learning with the masses through this book.

While many people may be skeptical of the concept of forgiveness, she brings science into the discussion to help validate some of her claims.  Even more interesting is that she discusses throughout the book several real world examples of people who have benefited from forgiveness.  Case studies are helpful for the understanding and learning of what Connie writes.

In this book, the Law of Forgiveness will show you how to:

• Understand the science behind the forgiveness technique
• Use the forgiveness technique to manifest your goals and dreams
• Unleash the power of personal forgiveness – with simple steps in the comfort of your own home
• Learn to forgive while you work through the cycle of healing

The Law of Forgiveness: Tap in to the Positive Power of Forgiveness--and Attract Good Things to YourLife is a self-help book that can inspire you both personally and professionally. According to the author, if you practice forgiveness, then you can unlock the power to attract what you really and become a happier person in all aspects of your life.

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Seven Reasons to Give Everyone a Talking Chance

As you go about your normal daily lives, you will come across new people every day to talk to whether it is at a networking event, at the store, or at the gym. Don’t discount anyone so have a conversation with people if they approach you.  New relationships can be formed very randomly so you never know who you will meet. Below are seven reasons why you should give everyone a talking chance:

1. You could meet someone who becomes an important part of your network
2. You could find a new friend
3. You get to practice small talk with people in random situations
4. You may be introduced to a new contact
5. You may make someone else feel good because you spent the time to talk
6. You end up helping some people after you find out their needs
7. You get a reputation for someone who is approachable

What other reasons can you think of that make it worthwhile to talk to people?

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Happy Holidays from Networking Insight!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season. Enjoy your time time with family and friends. Thanks for your interest in this blog throughout 2009. Here's to an even better 2010!

Networking: Maximized

Below is my latest article to appear in Magazine Soho.

Networking: Maximized

Without focus, your networking success will be limited. Try to think strategically about networking and your end goal. By having a plan ready, you will be more focused and you will better understand what you need to do to reach your objective.

What’s My Need?

When a need arises for most people, we immediately start to think about ways to fulfill that need. Networking is one method people use.

To help you relay your need to others, you want to make sure you have a focused and prepared message. Put together an elevator pitch. This is a short summary of who you are, what you do, what you’re looking for and how you can help others.

By creating an elevator pitch, you will force yourself to think strategically about your objective. Instead of attending networking events for no particular purpose, you will now have an understood reason to attend.

Who Do I Want to Meet?

Once you understand your need, the next step is to think about the types of people you want to meet. Think about how people can help you, so you have a reason to talk with them when you make your approach. Also, try to think of ways you can help them so you will be able to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

By having a clear understanding of whom you need to meet, you will be making more effective use of your time at networking events. As a result, you won’t have to talk with as many people. You will be focused on quality rather than quantity.

Where Do I Find the Right People?

Now that you understand your need and the people you should meet, you have to find out where to meet them. Spend time researching industries, events or organizations, so you know where to locate your target group.

Many sources exist to find events and organizations. Search your local market for event calendars, organizations, chambers, businesses and charities.

Once you find an organization of interest, read the Web site to determine if you should pursue the group. To meet people, go to events, call board members or get involved. If you know who will be attending an event in advance, then do some research on these people and their companies.

How Can I Help Others?

Part of your elevator pitch is designed to tell others how you can help them. Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others.

Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

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Singer Courtney Love's Legal Trouble Using Facebook

Singer Courntey Love, the widow of Nirvana singer Kurt Kobain, has had recent legal trouble by lashing out at her daughter on Facebook. Her daughter has filed for a restraining order against her mother because of what Courtney posted online. 

Interesting use of Facebook! Not something that I support, however, it shows you that online social networking is intertwined with everything. Also, what you say online is not protected so be careful.

To read more about this incident, go to Courtney Love's daughter files restraining order against her?

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Networking Insight Turns Three!

Another year has passed by and now I have been writing this blog for three years. It is hard to believe that it has been that long. Thank you everyone for your support and readership. I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts and other interesting information about relationship building.

I hope that you continue to find value in what I post.  Here's to another great year!

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Do You Recognize Important Dates with People in Your Network?

It is important that you keep good records of important dates with people in your network such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. As you get to know people, these dates should become evident. Make an effort to record these dates in your contact database and on your calendar so you know when they occur.

When these dates happen, acknowledge them by reaching out to the appropriate people in your network. Your efforts will be appreciated because people like to be remembered. Most people do not remember important dates so you will stand out.

Reach out to people via email, phone, or regular mail. It doesn’t matter what method as long as it is personal and at the appropriate time.

By taking these dates serious, your network will consider you as someone who cares. You want to do whatever you can to put yourself in a positive light. At the same time, you need to find reasons to reach out to people. Special dates are a great reason to reconnect with people.

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Book Review: BAM! by Barry Moltz and Mary Jane Grinstead

B-A-M!: Delivering Customer Service in a Self-Service World was written by Barry Moltz and Mary Jane Grinstead who are business experts. Barry is a nationally recognized small business expert who has founded and ran several businesses for almost 20 years. Previously, he has written the books You Need To Be a Little Crazy: The Truth About Starting and Growing Your Business and Bounce!: Failure, Resiliency, and Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success.  You can read more about Barry at www.barrymoltz.com

Mary Jane has been satisfying customers for the past 25 years in the technology industry.  She has held executive positions in sales, marketing, and operations for IBM and other advanced technology businesses. As the founder and owner or MJC, Inc., she is a freelance writer specializing in business writing for advanced technology firms, associations, and economic development organizations.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: The Myth Busters
Chapter 2: Defining Customer Service the Way a Customer Does
Chapter 3: Determining the Value of Customer Service
Chapter 4: Why Don’t We Deliver the Customer Service We Say We Want to Deliver?
Chapter 5: The BAM!-good Customer Manifesto
Chapter 6: How to Deliver BAM!-good Customer Service in a Self-Service World
Chapter 7: For Customers Who Color Outside the Lines: Delivering for the Best and Worst Customers
Chapter 8: Take Action: What Do I Do Now?

In this book, the authors discuss the common myths of customer service and teach the reader why these don’t hold true anymore.  The authors set the stage for the entire book by starting out with an explanation of these myths. Throughout the book, the myths are referenced and you are taught how to debunk them and move your business forward.

Below are a few of these myths:

• The customer is always right.
• Customers don’t care about great service; they just want the lowest price possible.
• Comment cards and customer surveys accurately measure customer service.
• Companies achieve customer service by under-promising and over-delivering.

The book features exercises, tools, and worksheets. You will learn the following:

• How to bust the 20 myths of customer service that hold back your company.
• How to assess the economic value of each customer.
• How to customize a two-way customer service manifesto.
• How to treat your best customers so they stay and fire the harmful ones so they leave.
• How to add customer service to company DNA – action plans for CEOs, line managers, and customer service reps.
• A comprehensive Customer Service Thesaurus.

B-A-M!: Delivering Customer Service in a Self-Service World is very timely because our society is such a self-service world due to the Internet and customers having their own needs and ways they want to be treated by organizations. By reading this book, you will better understand the importance of delivering great customer service and why you need to take it very serious.  Better yet, the authors provide you a tactical approach of how do achieve better customer service, which will result in making more money and your customers feeling satisfied at all times about your firm.

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Virtual Commercial - Branding Tool

With the growing popularity of Web videos, you can leverage this technology to further brand yourself. Preparing a video business elevator pitch is a great way to stand out from your competition. In fact, LinnkedIn now allows you to include a YouTube video link within your profile. Take advantage of this opportunity.

Below is a virtual commercial that a friend and LinkedIn expert created about his business. What a great idea!