People often fail to recognize that when they are
expanding their network, it starts from the nearest things they can ever
imagine. This is because probably the term ‘networking’ itself creates an
attribute whereby 'face-to-face' network is established with a rite of
exchanging a business card. I found that most often this sequence does not last
long except if the rite is followed up by a mutual transaction from both sides.
Often when I observe the existing networking practices, the use of conventional networking tools undermines our ability to develop unlimited network through a device in front of our desk or at our hand. The tenet is that the more individuals involved in a physical network, the more we increase the possibility to optimize our network. It is therefore not unusual for professional to spend their time to ‘shop’ for workshops, seminars, symposiums, conferences or exhibitions just to expand their network.
Here, is the problem: The money and effort spent to these networks often are more expensive than the benefits created from the networking. Most of the time we spent on these efforts would go into a chit chat session on business profiles and sometimes hobby (yes, it’s true that talking a similar hobby can create a chemistry, but then what?) and politics rather than business portfolios and opportunities. At the end of the day, the network is gone with the wind, we fail to recall our networks and when we need them, often the business cards have been expired or missing. Then we start from scratch again just to find another network with the same purpose.
Realizing that this may not work well, professionals seek a specific network that would not only create but convert sustainable benefits for them. The network is mostly embedded in a so-called professional organization or association with quite some 'annual investment'. While this can be seemed as the most efficient tool, the utilization of this network is even overshadowed by daunting tasks preoccupied by these professionals. How often do we deal when we ‘network’ in association or professional organization? How often do we get the insight benefits from networking that can be converted into real value?
The paradigm of ‘face-to-face’ meeting still preoccupies us as professional. It is true that we need to meet our targeted network physically to get the first impression. The level of trust can be built and ensured during physical networking. Yet, we can also search for credentials. Through social media we can examine the level of trust that can be built when we network virtually. I found that when I obtained the credibility from my network virtually, there is no barrier to enter into the next beneficial follow up. I often found that here at LinkedIn, people with credential do really take the most benefit from virtual networking. They can ask what their needs, request information or even exchange knowledge. And the great thing about this that cannot be found in physical networking is it costs less money (well, you may have to pay the internet line) and we can expand our network without limit.
