social networks

LinkedIn is potentially a very valuable resource for both individuals and companies. It allows users to tap into the combined knowledge of the community, find mutual contacts to introduce them to the people they want to meet and to build their profile and develop relationships with key influencers in both their own and their clients industries or in the fields in which they want to work.

Yesterday's Daily Telegraph reported the case of John Flexman who has taken his employer to a tribunal for constructive dismissal. According to the report, Mr Flexman was disciplined for 'inappropriate use of social media' after putting his CV onto LinkedIn and ticking the box saying that he is interested in 'career opportunities'.

The latter part of the last decade has seen a revolution in the way we communicate. The growth of social networking has changed the way we interact with friends, both new and old; how companies engage with their customers and now even shape the way that government policy is set.

^{* Image courtesy of socialmediaseo.net}

When you built your network, how did you decide to whom you should connect and why? 

That may seem like a strange question to many. After all, how many of us set out deliberately to develop a specific network? For most people they evolve naturally, don't they? 

I was delighted to be invited to the launch of Heather Townsend's new book 'The Financial Times Guide to Business Networking' last Thursday evening. 

This article was originally published in The National Networker

In October 2008, participation in social networks online overtook visits to pornography sites* and their prominence continues to grow, as does the number of networks we have to choose from. In September 2010 50% of all UK internet users reported being active on social networks**.

I had an interesting meeting with Ecademy CEO Glenn Watkins earlier this week. Glenn and I have known each other for a number of years and always enjoy our all-to-infrequent catch-ups.