Small is beautiful
This week I was at a speed networking event at the CIPR in London, sponsored by 
recruiters VMA. I have to thank Charlotte for the photos.
Two things to report - a very funny conversation with Charlotte talking about social networking sites like Melcrum's Communicators Network. We both admitted that we want to have more friends than anyone else and she promised faithfully that she'd be my friend and NOT SUE's on the site (that's the last time I trust you Butler!). And when I got home I discovered that Sue's got two more mates than me (although we're both miles behind Angela Sinickas - she really does know everyone!). So if you've ever vaguely met me, do say hello on the network. I couldn't bear Miss 'oh no I don't do sport' Dewhurst getting all triumphant about it...
Secondly, speaking to an Australian about development and she said that she thought she'd been lucky starting her career in a small company doing everything. Her thought was that although you don't get the career opportunities or really massive projects you do get to dabble in lots of things giving you experience in a range of disciplines. Given that she now worked for one of the biggest investment banks in London there was some truth in what she said.
Liam
But Liam, size of contact list isn't everything! Quality counts after all. Angela is worth two points, surely? This is one of the many reasons that make these sites so addictive. The other is 'degrees of separation', seeing how you know the people you know and through whom. Hours of fun. Alternatively, we could all just get out more...
Robin.
Posted by: robin Crumby | June 17, 2007 at 09:21 AM
I'm with Robin on that one. Online social networks encourage a mindset that collecting contacts is like collecting stamps. Unlike stamps, 'normal' people interact with one another.
Personally I wouldn't make someone a contact on a network unless I'd had some form of 'real' interaction with them. I.E We'd helped one another, struck up an interesting conversation on a forum, or pressed the flesh in RL.
The most exciting thing about Robin's network is that it'll be moving off-line aswell. For me, that's where the real value lies!
Cheers,
M
Posted by: Matt O'Neill | June 17, 2007 at 10:37 AM
I would never promise anything of the sort Mr F!
How could I not be Sue's friend? She buys me Rum, drives a mini and (I'm hoping) one day she'll teach me how to salsa. Or at least make salsa.
Thanks for coming last week by the way, good to catch up , if only to witness your golden tan.
Lottie B.
Posted by: Charlotte | June 17, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Ah yes, nice try Liam, but I think you'll find we mini-driving Cuba fans stick together!
I'm with Robin and Matt on this one - tempting to try and make yourself look like Mr/Ms amazingly popular, but actually, what's the point? Great for connecting with people you'd lost touch with though - I was really pleased to hear from a Barclays mate this week and hopefully a face to face reunion with our old crowd might be on the cards soon.
But inrestingly, he was asking me about the etiquette when people ask to join your network that you don't know from Adam. I've had a couple of invitations from people sent with emails saying 'we've never met but I read your blog and I know x friend of yours - hope we can meet up some time' and that's cool with me. But I've also had invitations from people I don't know at all (as has my Barclays mate) and find myself thinking "oh dear, should I know this person? How do they know me? Do I email them and say 'have we met?' Or do I just decline anyway?"
What does anyone else do in these kind of scenarios?
Posted by: Sue | June 17, 2007 at 07:20 PM
" I 'ate you Butler..."!
http://www.onthebusesfanclub.co.uk/newpage5.html
Posted by: Liam | June 17, 2007 at 07:21 PM
..but what's the point of having millions of people as contacts when you don't know them?
I know some people do it but I can't see why
Posted by: Liam | June 17, 2007 at 07:28 PM
Come along then Mr Crumby and explain yourself! Why has the latest weekly update from the comms network incited everyone to go on a mission to get as many contacts as possible in an effort to catch up with Ms Sinickas?!
Posted by: Sue | June 18, 2007 at 05:46 PM
OK. Hands up. Not being fortunate enough to drive a mini, us mere mortals have to resort to shameless self-promotion to secure friendships online!
Oh, and I was incensed to find that someone had more contacts than me in my own back yard.
Not for long. More over Sinickas, the race is on.
Quantity is after all everything. I notice Sue has edged further infront of Liam. 70 v 64. Come on Liam
Posted by: Robin Crumby | June 18, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Some of us won't rise to this sort of goading!
L
Posted by: Liam | June 18, 2007 at 07:37 PM
I blame the laughably unseasonal image of you standing in the snow outside Hendon Hall.
Posted by: Robin Crumby | June 18, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! "This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here. Keep it up!"
Posted by: speech writing | August 05, 2009 at 05:35 AM