Support my walk for the American Heart Association

This saturday, for the American Heart Association

Donate as little as a dollar - limited time!

Every month I'm going to feature one of the many causes I support. Well, maybe more often than that, because there are so many. Comes from being a social worker and a social entrepreneur consultant I guess. Don't feel you have to support any of them just because I do - but remember, even just one dollar from a couple hundred of my friends can add up to a lot of money.

This one won't cost you anything but your time. Just an hour a year to show your support for the Earth. We all live here. This is not a big deal. Just do it. Struggle through an hour with candles (soy preferably) and maybe, I don't know, just conversation. Yeah, even on a cell phone. You'll make it. It will be okay...

Too Many Networks!

There are way too many networks to join - don't you think? So many of them are so specific, too, regional, national, local, no reason for anyone not in the area to join up - yet you get invites! I think the best ones are those where you can get together now and then and actually meet people, in person - although there are national and even international networks that are SO BIG that they have local meetings, such as BNI.

My favorite network? Not sure I have one, more like a favorite group of them. LinkedIn of course, for the sheer reach of it, there's a different set/subset on facebook, and then any one of a growing number of work oriented systems, none of which I'll mention because my jury is still out on which one I like. Then there's Business Scene, which is a small force in the UK, not really much of one here. It's event-oriented, so local-based. Again, untried around where I am.

So what's your favorite, and why does it work for you? I get a lot of questions about why even bother with any network; I'll try to answer them myself, but I'd like some help.

Transferring to my own domain

and this is a test post to see if that worked...

Online and Offline - making the most of the best of networking

Because of all the restrictions on the many formal networks I belong to, I'm going to try and keep everyone in one database so I can do the real work of networking - matching up people who need people. Not acting as a sales rep or anything like that, but if you need a banker, an accountant, some advice, or a wigdet manufacturer in Cleveland, I should be able to find some one you can at least talk to about it.

So wander on over to My Little Black Biz Book sign up page, and... um, sign up. I won't send you spam-like email every day, hopefully I'll only get in touch when someone needs you. Or to ask to meet me and a few others in my network somewhere, I'm planning a few little get-togethers here and there.

Oh yeah, the link:

http://www.mylittleblackbizbook.com/member

Who's an open networker? And why?

What's an open networker, technically? And what purpose is open networking?

I've always thought an open networker was anyone "open to network," but that's a bit misleading. You then have to delve into what a network is - is it contacts? connections made through online or offline systems? people you barely know but have shared email with? people you know really well, offline and online as well?

Wow. Seems I have my blogging cut out for me on this one.

Well, I'm an open networker. I will connect on systems like LinkedIn and Facebook with anyone who asks. I've had to be somewhat exlcusive in my networks, however; I was going absolutely nuts keeping up with Viadeo, xing, giving out trust on Spock, all of them. I drew the line at bookshare and some of the later ones. There's someone in my contacts who has this interesting widget in his signature that features a sign-up button for every network he belongs to - I stopped counting at 50 (that's including photo, audio, and video sharing groups, which I don't bother with). I'm still a member of them if you want to look me up and send an invite. 

By the way, I'm working at building a new network, it's online but emphasizes offline contact through various sponsored events, it's called Business Scene. It's started and run by a friend of mine from the UK, Warren Cass, but it's very locality-centric. In other words, the New York Business Scene, which I'm managing, will have NY metro members, sponsors, and events. With almost 20 million people in the metro region, I think we could be very busy, very fast. In fact, to get as many members as fast as possible, and build critical mass, I'm offering the first year at no cost (except the minimal cost at the event), to anyone who downloads my contact info (see the link at the right). It's a $120 value. I'm also looking for event sponsors, event venues, and I'm absolutely open to anyone who wants to help with it - again, download my contact information by clicking the link on the left, and get in all my networks.

Whew! That was exhausting. Can't wait to see your comments...

Ok, here we go...

Looking to network? Who isn't? In the current markets, everyone needs to know someone who might know someone who can bring them work or business...

So where are the best places? What are the best systems? What are the best methods? I'm hoping to uncover all of that, and a lot more, with your help.

Get twitter for starters. I send out tweets with updates...