“It’s all about networking,” or so I’ve heard.
...Doesn’t sound like too difficult of a task, especially with the help of the Internet and its virtually boundless capacity. By now, we are more than aware of the extent of its content and deliverables; from news articles to weather forecasts, novels to dictionaries, music to movies, and cars to real estate. Information is abundant, no matter the subject, and any product on the market is easily obtainable, regardless of its alleged scarcity.
Access to these commodities is practically ubiquitous, and with the growing number of social networking sites, the distinction between individuals and commodities is starting to blur. Company websites supply information about products, and networking sites provide that same function about people.
As technology pushes forward, where do we draw the line, and how do we prevent ourselves from crossing it? People are the driving force behind technology – but where are we trying to go?
For years, cell phones have connected us on the move and email has linked us online while stationed at computers; it wasn’t long ago that these two methods of communication conjoined in the form of PDAs and smart phones. There’s no escaping from the Internet – you literally carry it in your purse.
Do we have to be in contact with people 24/7, and is absolute availability really necessary? Are daily details of an individual’s routine, schedule or whereabouts to be considered on the same plane as specs for the new laptop you’re contemplating on Amazon?
So quickly have we become consumed in the power of this fast-paced medium that we forget to stop, look at ourselves and those around us, and realize that we still need to come up for air. Everyday, walls are broken down as our personal lives transform into a sequence of bytes and pixels for the world to see.
Procuring that hard-to-find first edition Batman comic is one thing; tracking down the president of Google or stalking a celebrity crush is another. Be gentle- we are dealing with human beings, not toys or comic books! The fact that we are as accessible as objects does not give us license to treat each other as such.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against social networking. It's fun and beneficial. Networking and relationship building are common goals in the business world, and networking sites support and aid numerous business objectives.
Additionally, entrepreneurs require a means to sell themselves as well as their product, and platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter can promote their branding process. Online applications offer an inexpensive, convenient, and efficient solution for reaching and communicating with consumers.
Use networking sites to your advantage, but as with any tool, exercise common sense and moderation.
Some basic standards to think about:
- Be honest about yourself, your experience, and your capabilities. Do not use the computer as a façade to hide behind. (Pretending can be simple when not looking your contact in the eye.) Each one of us is unique, and for what it’s worth, there's a real, live person on the corresponding compu-pd-smart-book-techno-lytic devise (or whatever the gadget’s called when you’re reading this) who probably appreciates sincerity.
- Don't underestimate the strength of exhibiting respect and courteous behavior. When sending a friendship invitation or message, be careful not to come off as opportunistic, even if your purpose is self-serving. Play it cool. 8-)
- Ppl are busy. 2 many emails 4 long responses 2 every1. Don't be offended. Also remember that not everyone wants to talk to everyone all the time, so refrain from acting overly aggressive. (*note the away message*)
- Ignore gossip – not everything you read online is true, and avoid engaging in chatter – malicious or innocent, rumors can hurt others and will ultimately disrupt your credibility.
- Networking is not only about numbers. In relationship building, quality can be just as, or more, important than quantity. Show people that you value them, and they will likely reciprocate. This may involve signing offline and convening in the flesh; computer conversations can dilute intimacy.
The Internet enables us to accomplish many things once deemed impossible and to meet people we would have never had the opportunity to know otherwise. It can facilitate our success in business and in life. However, there is only so much we can achieve with it – it comes down to who the user is. On that account, be thoughtful, cautious and continue to make good choices in whatever you do and however you do it.
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