DAVE CLARKE: Using the Internet to Get Off the Internet

by Dave Clarke

Earlier this month I had the great pleasure of meeting Meetup.com founder, Scott Heiferman, at an Event on 'How real time web is facilitating offline interactivity'. Scott spoke on a panel at the event about the importance of offline community. He was in London for a gathering of UK Meetup organizers.

Scott said that he really began to experience the power of community in post 9/11 New York when people began again to rediscover the importance of looking out for each other. I was in London during the bombs on the underground and on a bus on 7 July 2005 and saw many people going out of their way for others in a similar way.

Scott shared that the idea for Meetup came from that time and he wanted to create a site to help strengthen community. To give people the opportunity to use the Internet to get together in local communities each day with the goal of improving themselves or their communities. Their mission today is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.

As Scott said it's about "Using the Internet to get off the Internet!"

A great insight into how to use Online Social Media and Networks in your Business Networking.

Until next time.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success


For more information, please visit Dave's TNNW Bio.

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DAVE CLARKE: Using the Internet to Get Off the Internet

DAVE CLARKE: Managing your Network

by Dave Clarke

At a meeting earlier this month people were talking about how difficult it is to keep track of all the interactions we now have both online and offline. Last month I wrote about the many different ways we have of keeping in touch with the advent of social networks and social media. Online networks give us a a really effective tool for supporting our offline business networking activities. They only do that, however, if we go about both activities strategically.

I have been an active member of online networks since I discovered them in 2003. In an article on the NRG-networks website I share my top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks:

1. Get comfortable with how networking works
2. Develop a plan
3. Identify the people you already know, like & trust
4. Identify the offline networks to join
5. Show a genuine interest in other people
6. Always follow up contacts
7. Identify the online networks to join and start a blog
8. Make online contacts and build relationships first
9. Arrange contact meetings
10. Develop Networking Advocates

More on each point in the article, top 10 tips for building business with the effective use of offline & online networks

Until next month ...

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

For more information, please visit Dave's TNNW Bio.

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DAVE CLARKE: Managing your Network

KENSEL TRACY: Is Traditional Media Dead in Canada?

by Kensel Tracy

My topic this month is something that is being hotly debated by almost every media outlet in the country and all across North America. Its a question that is on everyone's mind. Is traditional media dying an untimely death?

I personally don’t think so. Just like the telegraph and the morning newspaper media is always in a state of change and the impact of new media on traditional advertising and communications is no different. Let’s just say the amount of attention that new media is getting is making us feel as if traditional media can no longer compete. So in some ways there may be a collective thinking that traditional media is dead. Lets look a some of the facts.

In Canada is safe to say that ad revenues from traditional media are down across the board and online media is definitely on the increase. Newspapers are having the biggest problem securing advertisers since their daily news is reported well in advance on any of the major websites like Canada.com, Sympatico.ca. MSN Canada, Yahoo Canada and Google. For instance as a dedicated newspaper reader, I now only buy the weekend papers and no long subscribe at the office.

The key area that seems to really be taking a hit is the classified ad sections of most newspapers. With free ad sites like Craig’s List, Kijji and any number of local online and employment sites offering free ads and amazing search options, traditional classified and employment ads are also generating the lowest revenues in years.

National television is also suffering not only from the loss of local ad revenues but from the ever changing role played by cable and satellite in Canada. The two national commercial networks are fighting it out with the cable companies promoting the value of local television as cable and satellite companies now want to charge subscribers extra for the right to watch local news in their areas on their local cable or satellite station. The local news represents the largest number of concentrated local viewers and the most revenues since these local stations retain the rights to sell local advertisers into a well watched local program with a highly consistent and dedicated audience.

The main media that seems to remain stable through all of this is radio. With the advent of television in the 1950’s there was much discussion that the radio was dead or would over time die out. As we can see this did not happen. Every local radio station has a bevy of local listeners who continue to support them regardless of the role new media plays. Everyone has a local favourite radio station for local news and sports and local activities. Satellite radio continues to gain popularity; however local news and weather can only be garnered from stations in the local market. So radio's demise is not going to happen anytime soon. However the Ipod is having a major impact on what individuals listen too and when so the jury is still out.

So what does this mean for the individual or the business organization that has a mission to promote an event, sell a product, promote a new service and meet new customers? In my last column I felt that new media such as Facebook, Tweeting, My Space and blogging all help to build profile and help to create new contacts and some new business opportunities as well.

For me personally however, being active in your local community be it online or offline is still one of most important things a person or a company can do. An online community is great to make contacts if you have product that is national in scope and can be sold over great distances. A local community made up of local businesses, events and organizations are still valuable if you get personal service referrals, provide a local service or need to deal with individuals that in your own back yard.

The key point is traditional media is just changing and as they say on Monty Python it’s not time to "bring out yer dead yet".

The local media revolution is no different than any other media revolution that came along throughout history. These included the printing press changing town hall meetings, the telegraph was replaced by the telephone, couriers were replaced by fax machines and typewriters were replaced by computers and radio was changed immensely by the advent of television. So media and communications is always evolving

The key ingredient for change however is that information will always be required and requested by human beings and will be required in selective ways that still include a great deal of personal activity.

People still buy from people and personal relationships are still the most important thing. Regardless of what happens with traditional ways of communicating there will always be something that is just around the corner that will make it easier and more efficient to get the information you require. So traditional media my be dying as we know it, however most organizations are scrambling to reinvent themselves just like my grand father did when upon graduating from telegraph school he found the telegraph was about to not exist anymore. He changed his career path and found a new solution. Advertising and media is resilient and will do the same.

Kensel Tracy is the Marketing Coach and Senior Partner with the Corporate Coachworkz Inc. and President of Business over Breakfast Clubs (BoB Clubs) of North America and with offices located in Ottawa, Ontario and Chelsea, Quebec.


For more information, please visit Kensel's TNNW Bio.


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KENSEL TRACY: Is Traditional Media Dead in Canada?

THE NET-TECH REPORT: The “Killer App” of the Social Networking Age

Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

In my line of work I continue to be impressed with how fast technology changes and yet how many people are still discovering the basics of they tools that are out there. Most of the presentations and guidebooks I review are of the “Fundamentals 101” variety – “How To Get On LinkedIn”, “What To Do When You Are On Facebook”, etc. And yet, almost all of these miss the fundamental point of the technologies in the first place.

You.

No amount of gee-whiz technology or super-fast ability to connect and build rapport will make up for an inability to connect and build rapport in the first place. These tools are there to build connection – not merely to serve as a new, louder marketing platform for your products and services. So what are the “rules of the road” you should remember? Here are three common to ANY Social Media / Web 2.0 platform you may use.

1. Communication – meaning listening as well as speaking. Using “two ears and one mouth” - in that proportion and order – applies online as well as offline. At its core, networking is still networking, and one should always seek first to understand before being understood. In fact, once you create a relationship with someone at an offline networking event, you should feel comfortable inviting them into one or more of your online networks. Just make sure it is appropriate to the nature and purpose of your relationship.

2. Participation – when you go to a networking event, you typically get the most value when you give (before or without) receiving anything in return. The same holds true online as well. Join groups in your LinkedIn and Facebook circles. Post comments, videos, essays, presentation – whatever content you feel would be of interest or benefit to that particular community.

“Yea, but I want to grow my business and make money – how do I do that by giving everything away for free, and not letting everyone know that I have things they can buy from me?”

The way to do that is to proportionally share your “free, no-strings-attached” information along with your sales pitches. On a medium such as Twitter, which is built on frequent updates and interactions, a ratio of 12:1 or 8:1 is probably appropriate; meaning, for every “free” bit of information you give or reply to someone else you make, you can justify integrating a “sales” or marketing message in your communication. Just as you wouldn't walk into a cocktail party or a networking event & say, “Hi, my name is “X”; come buy my stuff!”, so to you want to be professionally appropriate with your messaging to the medium

2. Ask Questions – one of the biggest benefits of participating in Social Media is the same offline as it is online. By tapping the collective intelligence of a larger network, one can theoretically get new perspectives and ideas, gain introductions to helpful people or resources, and grow more quickly than they otherwise would have outside that particular network. “The answer is in the room”, but you'll never know it unless you ask.

I hope this gives you some additional things to think about as you move more of your networking efforts online. With new applications and new ways to connect being introduced almost daily, it's very easy to lose sight of the fact that “networking is still networking”, and many of the principles that have helped you be successful thus far, will also help you online.

For more information, please visit Chris's TNNW Bio.
www.FettMarketing.com

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THE NET-TECH REPORT: The “Killer App” of the Social Networking Age

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF NETWORKING: Deadly Mistaken Practices Smart People Make- Part I

The Psychology of Networking

with Christine M. West, MS, CMHT

We reside in a fast touch and go world where social media, symbolic communication and environmental influences shape and model behavior. People are social creatures who by natural self-means are organized, reflective, regulated and proactive as opposed to reactive organisms to the environment. Social systems dominate the road for human advancement and adaptation. Human beings represent the created product of each and every social system. Human beings continually learn, influence and model the behavior in their social system. This is the very reason why these human social networks have power.

Many of today’s social systems have conditioned many smart people to deadly practices that result in missed opportunities, superficial relationships, mistaken assessments, wish-washy outcomes, stagnation and a limited relationship with prosperity. It is our responsibility to become aware if our social system is pulling us up or dragging us down.

The following are mistaken practices that many smart people make:

1. People want to succeed yet their fear fuels resistance which stops the required changes to take place. For success to progress the new behavior needs to be congruently aligned with the other pieces and parts of the person, group and environment, otherwise regression probably will take place.

If a person is involved in a social system that continually feeds limitations and fear, the individual is faced with a choice to either leave the social system or allow regression to take place and be pulled back into a limited environment.

The overall strength in successful change is derived from group work. The change spreads with group willingness and agreement.

If an individual really wants to strive for more, then is better to find a social group to pull us up to a new level of success.

2. Many lack a clear focus. We can focus on what is or what is not working. We can also focus on what we believe in or do not believe in. Winning scenarios focus on learning to use the tools and resources available in the moment. Often this requires innovation, compromise and adjustments to occur. The key to success is to focus on what you really want and let go of the rest.

3. Many smart people give into their limitations and stop learning. The energy we place on our self-created limitations results in us believing that everyone we encounter lives in the same limited box we do. We think everyone perceives our situation in the same light also. We believe if we cannot find a solution then no one can. We believe we are the end all be all and think we have climbed to the highest plateau. Yet our greatest mistake is failing to pay attention to what we could truly find out from another. The funny piece of this equation is we deny prosperity and signs that could help us. We need to adopt the courage to get out of our own way and start listening and asking open-ended questions.

4. We need to allow ourselves to model what we want. This means the human being is required to pay attention, observe and through a heightened awareness new behaviors are accessible for espousal and installation. The new behaviors include innovative creativity to perceive the world from a different view that includes expanded cognitive ability, advancement in linguistic communication and improvements to regulate and motivate one’s attitude and demeanor.

The process of observational learning creates shifts in behavior, thinking patterns and learning new knowledge. Modeling has strong motivational effects because people want the same success as experienced in another. Values and beliefs play an influencing role with motivation. The value a person assigns to the perceived outcome along with the belief to reach the outcome is determined by the relationship between the value and the outcome and the relationship between the belief and the outcome.

So therefore if we value what we believe and belief in our own value, then we will soon see we are an effect of our beliefs. The choice is ours, we will always see what we believe in and value.

In closing Part I, our choices of the past have created our circumstance of today. It is healthy acknowledge this fact and to learn from the past. Yet it is unhealthy to live in circumstances that cannot be changed. Life occurs in the present and paying to now has great reward and meaningful purpose. Precious gifts exist in the present moment if we only will allow ourselves to stay focused in the here and now.

Genuinely,

Christine

Author: Christine M. West, TheBusinessMD, 2240 E. Tudor Rd. #976, Anchorage, Alaska, USA 99507. Phone 1-907-223-8403. Email: info@thebusinessmd.net, http://www.businessmd.net/ http://thebusinessmd.blogspot.com/ TheBusinessMD offers transformational services to assist better human relationships in the workplace. Ms. West is also a Featured Columnist for the National Networker http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/
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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF NETWORKING: Deadly Mistaken Practices Smart People Make- Part I

REACHING FOR STARPOWER: List Your Business Goals To Activate Success

Reaching For Starpower with Barbara Marynowski

When considering what we want to accomplish professionally, especially in the realm of celebrity endorsements and associations, we often brainstorm or daydream, but how often do we write these ideas down and take them from mere thoughts to actions?

Making a list is one thing, but taking action to make those items become reality is quite another, as I'm sure we can all agree. However, have you ever considered the importance of this first step; the impact the action of making a list actually has? You are literally choosing to take your idea from an invisible thought to physical form as words on a page – seemingly simple, but important nonetheless. We have begun to explore this concept in previous articles (for review, please visit the archives).

The first thing I'd like to highlight is that your list is a living thing - it is going to change and grow as you and your business change and grow. Something that you wanted to accomplish last month may no longer work for you today (or maybe you already checked it off!) and you've had a full month to think about new things that you'd like to accomplish. Remember - you are not limited and since it's YOUR list, it's okay to change it as YOU see fit. Make it better, make it more intricate, make it something that makes YOU happy.

Sometimes having a list can be overwhelming, though. Where do you start? Which item should go first? Is one more important to you than the rest? There is no right or wrong answer to those questions - the most important action is that you are actually taking a step.

My suggestion is to pick one thing and focus on it. When we try to multi-task it's often more work and frustration in the long run than if we just focus on one thing at a time. When we have one thing that we can devote our attention to, we are less likely to be distracted or have our thoughts and actions diluted by trying to do too much at once. This is also an idea you can try in other areas of your life - personally, at home, in your relationships, etc.

As you go, take notice of how you focus on one goal at a time. What steps work best for you to accomplish what you want? What do you like? What can you improve on? What will make it easier to reach your next goal? Everyone's answers will be different since we all have a unique way of how we work best and what works best for our business.

I'm looking forward to hearing your success stories.

Best wishes,

Barbara H. Marynowski

Barbara H. Marynowski is the owner of Limitless Empowerment and an active member of Juko Kai International, studying at White Crane Michigan. She is also a columnist for the Michigan Women's Forum. Contact her directly at barbmarynowski (at) aol.com

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REACHING FOR STARPOWER: List Your Business Goals To Activate Success

CONNECTING IS NOT ENOUGH: Will you be my Friend?

Connecting is Not Enough with Andy Lopata

Have you experienced that strange sensation recently? A feeling of importance, of celebrity, of previously unmatched popularity. It’s the feeling that the lucky kids at school all understood but that the rest of us could only dream of.

All of a sudden everyone wants to be your friend.

From Facebook to LinkedIn, from Plaxo to Fastpitch and from Xing to Friendster, people are asking to be friends. And they’re not just people we know, have met or who share mutual friends. They are people from all over the World, with varied backgrounds and different interests. Yet they all want to be our friends and share in our lives.

Do you embrace each and every one of these new-found friends? Or do you find something uncomfortable and disconcerting about all of these requests from strangers?

Once you have befriended them, your popularity knows no-bounds. They want to follow you to every party you go to, and want to invite you to the ones they’re attending. All of a sudden you are a member of countless social networks…….and your network is the same on each one!

There are many people who embrace this method of networking. They believe that the more people you connect with, the broader your network, the more successful you are. For the more extreme, they count success in terms of ‘notches on the bedpost’. Others do take a more level-headed approach, recognizing that they do need to interact with many of these new ‘friends’ but that there is value in broadcasting to everyone else they are connected to. Not so much networking as marketing.

It might not surprise you that I favour a different approach to my online networking. My approach takes three stages, each one making it far easier to manage my time on each network effectively, interact with people in the best way possible and able to connect with everyone who genuinely wants to connect with me.

Stage One –

Understand WHERE you want to be

With so many invitations coming through now, there is a danger of stretching yourself too thin. I have received two more invitations to new networks in the short period of time I have been writing this column. Unless you plan to make membership of social networks a full time occupation, it would be impossible for anyone to be an effective, active member of every network available, so be selective.

There are probably four types of online network for me. Those I will never join; those I join, upload a profile but never visit again; those I join, upload a profile and visit occasionally and those I commit to.

The networks that I commit to are the ones who draw me in, encourage me to contribute and demonstrate a value to being there. For a long time LinkedIn was a network on which I had a profile and visited infrequently as there was such little apparent activity on the site. Over the last 12-15 months two things have happened to change that. The network themselves have added more functionality, allowing you to achieve more through the site, and more people have been drawn to LinkedIn, making activity there more rewarding.

Therefore, you do need to join a few networks and try them out to find out where you are at home, where you feel most comfortable and which ones demonstrate that membership will deliver a return for you, whatever that may be.

That leads us nicely onto

Stage Two –

Understand WHY you want to be there

In my opinion, the most effective way to exploit the sheer number of networks is to use each for a different purpose. If you simply join a lot of networks and use them in the same way, you will find yourself repeating the same activity again and again. Can you really afford to spend your time doing that?

People have talked for a long time about wanting a site, or some software, that replicates your content and profile across networks. I know such software is being developed and wouldn’t be surprised to find out it already exists. You can already post a ‘tweet’ on Twitter and see it duplicated on Facebook and elsewhere.

That’s all very nice but doesn’t it take away the ‘human’ element of social networking? Have a look at the Facebook page of someone who feeds their tweets through. You will see a lot of activity, much of which doesn’t make sense in isolation and using jargon from one network (Twitter) that makes no sense to Facebook users not accustomed to it.

The redesign of Facebook into a Tweeter-style feed is going to encourage this activity more. It means that people using this technology will have fewer reasons to visit Facebook and will no longer be ‘networking’ on it. Facebook will simply be reduced to another broadcast mechanism, rather than a tool for effective engagement and interaction.

If you want to broadcast, that’s fine. My approach takes a slightly different direction though. I believe that each network can play a different purpose. For example:

Facebook is a very human network and provides the opportunity for your professional network to find out about the person, and for your personal network to find out about your profession. It is a great tool for deepening relationships and, used wisely, building trust.

LinkedIn’s primary purpose is to aid connections. You can find out how you are connected to the key people you want to meet, and secure the introductions through your existing network.

Networks such as Ecademy, Xing and FastPitch encourage you to build the breadth of your network by making new connections. These are great fora for meeting new people, finding out about them and developing the beginnings of a relationship. They also allow you to build on those relationships through various events, clubs and ongoing conversations.

By taking that type of approach to your online networking, it means that you can be more selective about

Stage Three –

Understanding WHO you want to connect with there

Following the approach above, you would only invite existing contacts to link to you on Facebook or LinkedIn, while having other networks you can direct newcomers to. Let them develop the relationship on one of the other networks before taking it to the next stage.

An additional benefit to this approach is that it is easier to find and connect contacts in your ‘deeper’ networks. One of the problems of building mass connections is finding people if you’re not looking by name. Keeping these networks smaller makes that task much easier.

The numbers of social networks is going to continue growing as niche networks become more popular. With the increase in popularity of Ning and similar sites, more of your contacts will develop, and invite you to, their own personal social network, while face to face networks you belong to and industry bodies will all invite you to theirs.

Without a strategy to approach these invitations, you run the risk of becoming overwhelmed and turning your back on social networking completely.

Now, that wouldn’t make you too popular!

________________________


Are you struggling to put an effective networking or referral strategy into place? Do you want to know more about how to ensure you get the maximum possible return from your networking?
Andy's new Audio programme 'Networking in Ninety Minutes' will give you the tools you need to make the most from your networking. Available in CD or mp3 format here.

Andy Lopata's newsletter archive
Andy Lopata's LinkedIn profile
Tune into Andy's weekly networking tips on yourBusinessChannel

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CONNECTING IS NOT ENOUGH: Will you be my Friend?

Focus on the "Net" and the "Work" Will Come

By Terry Bean
Social Networking Editor

Since my focus is on social networking events currently happening, I need to ask the readership for some assistance. In the spirit of my understanding with TNNW, I shall only advise you on the types of interesting events of which I would appreciate being informed. Alternatively stated, please share events about which you know with me at tbean@networkedinc.com . I hope you agree that it would be cool to see your event promoted nationally ;-)

Here are some of the things I would love to hear more about in you area:

NetQing- combining the fun of the bar-B-que with all the deliciousness or a good networking event (yeah, i wrote it that way intentionally)

Netbocce- very popular in the hills of Italy, and gaining traction in the states. This is where men and women network and (there are a lot of "balls" jokes here, insert your favorite) . Many say it takes balls to network, right?

Netriding- grab your Harley, Honda or Horse and your network and go for a ride. If you're doing this you already know what a great way to build common ground it is.

Netathalon- is your fitness group also part of your network? Can you collaborate whilst competing?

Netplanting- growing trees and your network have a lot in common:

They take time

Need care

Strong roots make for a solid foundation

Netgolf- probably the most popular on the list. Are you incorporating anything special into your golf outing?

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I am looking to forward to hearing about things your networking group is doing to gather and celebrate this summer.

Don't forget to include online gatherings.

Ah, networking in the summer. Don't you just love it?

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Focus on the "Net" and the "Work" Will Come

TNNW: Week of June 29, 2008

Hello, I'm new. Let's talk.
By BRUCE NEWMAN, Mid-Atlantic Bureau Chief
As this is my first article as the new mid-Atlantic Bureau Chief, I would like to introduce myself and explain how I plan to use my monthly column. I have over 25 years of experience in business (please see my bio) and believe that good communications are essential to the success of any project or company. Networking is an important component that when done properly, can produce excellent results and if applicable, significant gains in productivity.

The Networking Rock Star- A New Concept in Business Networking is Born!
By KATHLEEN RONALD, Ph.D., Southwest Bureau Chief
Of course we all know the saying, "It is not what you know but who you know." Well, today I'm very excited to know THE Networking Rock Star! Meet Mr. Brett Pojunis presently of Las Vegas, Nevada where he shakes up more excitement than all the show girls combined!

Concerning Trees
By MEIRA FINDEL, Health and Wellness Editor
We have seen that mother earth is not so happy and in order to create true health we must return to a state of balance with nature.

Best Practices of Multicultural Networking
By MARIA ELENA DURON, Multicultural Networking Editor
LinkedIn is a great tool, not only for connections, but for asking some great questions. I had the opportunity to ask the questions "What do you see are some of the best practices of Multicultural Networking?" From the U.S., to Germany, the Philippines, India and China here are some of the responses:

Of Virtual Firms and Legal Forums
By SCOTT R. FORCINO, Esq., Legal and Real Estate Editor
This month I had the pleasure of examining a web-site called www.ESQChat.com, a private legal community committed to providing an online meeting place for attorneys to ask questions, learn more about the law, and make new acquaintances. Their mission is to help maximize a lawyer's career potential and become more successful by networking with other attorneys across the nation and in town.

How Many Women Does It Take To Change the World's Collective Dream?
By ANN BARCZAY SLOAN, Women's Networking Editor
"You can no longer save your family, tribe or nation. You can only save the whole world," the late, great, wise Margaret Mead once stated. Many of us - increasing numbers of us! - may easily agree with this in theory, but how many will commit large chunks of a complex and busy life to actually do something concrete about it? Peggi Erickson is such a devoted activist of a woman.

Creativity in Networking
By HARVEY MATHASON, Contributing Writer
Role Model For Time - Shawn Johnson is an American gymnast. She is the 2007 World All-Around Champion , as well as the 2007 U.S. National All-Around Champion. The remarkable attribute of Shawn Johnson is that she has disciplined herself to practice only four hours a day, while other gymnasts practice a minimum of six hours a day. She decided that gymnastics is important but does not comprise her entire life. She has planned her time for family, friends and extra curricula activities ...

Jetnetting
By HESHIE SEGAL, Contributing Writer
If you do not already have the proper clothing to make a positive first impression, now is the time to go shopping. Part III will give you the basic guidelines; follow them for your success.

Power Thought of the Week
By PATRICIA PARHAM, Ph.D., Contributing Writer
PowerNetworking is High Profile - You want to be seen – first and always making a strong, positive impression. It is about being centered in who you are and the values which guide and ground you and being focused on what you want and where you’re going with a sense of confidence, ease and grace. Always pull up those behind you and push up those before you and these same energies will work also for your good.

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TNNW: Week of June 29, 2008

Survey shows half of online Canadians are members of Facebook

By ZALE TABAKMAN, TNNW Canadian Bureau Chief

In between the Facebook and LinkedIn were all the standard ones, MySpace (16%), MSNSpaces (16%), Hi5 (9%), and Friendster (3%).

These results reflect the Canadian personality and how Canadians view each other and the world. Understanding this view can help when networking with Canadians online and in person.

Another fascinating number is the percentage of people who had heard of Facebook and LinkedIn but were not interested in joining. For Facebook it was 30% but for LinkedIn at (22%) To look at the numbers a slightly different way, about a third of the people who knew about Facebook were not interested in joining, but about 75% of the people who had heard about LinkedIn were not interested in joining.

The report describes what people do in Facebook and other sites, the majority of which is some form of connecting with friends and making new friends. A small number of Facebook people use Facebook for business purposes (22%) but another group of people (38%) of people use it for developing or promoting their business. There were no statistics about how many people use the social network for career development. I am not sure if that is included in the developing or promoting their business or if the numbers were too small for statistical purposes.

These statistics are telling about the Canadian personality. Canadians are well known for apologizing when you bump into them. Bump into a Canadian and see what happens. Canadians. Canadians do not like aggressive people. (The most frequent expression I ever hear is “Zale!!! You Can’t Say That!!!”).

Canadians think it’s tacky to talk about money or to ask for an order. I was in a Flea Market the other day. Anybody who has been in a flea market understands the pure entrepreneurial spirit that exists there. It's in the air. But it was a Canadian flea market, it was unbelievable how polite people were. Nobody was trying to sell me anything, nobody even called out to us as we walked the isles. Compare my experience to walking down a New York City street or a souk in any part of Asia.

When trying to understand the numbers, it’s important to focus on the clearly different user experience on the sites. Facebook is social personal site with many ways of interacting with other members, but LinkedIn is all about business and a person’s resume. LinkedIn has no birthday nonsense nor places to post pictures of your son’s first tooth.

For a Canadian, putting their resume and all their accomplishments up for the world to see, is the essence of being aggressive and boisterous. But, to succeed in the LinkedIn world – you need to let everybody know about your accomplishments.

A few personal notes about LinkedIn.

I have created a lecture on the Seven Ways to Generate Business With LinkedIn. The first part of the lecture reviews different features of LinkedIn and how they can be used to generate business. The second part of the lecture explains seven common things that business people need to do and how LinkedIn can make it all happen. I think there in fact many more than seven ways described.

Sending me a LinkedIn invitation is now worth over 1,000,000 in your network. Yup, that is correct. My second level connections (which are your 3rd level) is over 1,000,000 people and growing daily. My profile is found at www.LinkedIn.com/in/ZaleTabakman.

You can review the Survey of Canadian usage of LinkedIn on Zinc Research.

Till Next Month!

--Zale
www.ZaleTabakman.ca

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Survey shows half of online Canadians are members of Facebook