WOMEN in BUSINESS - April/May 2009 - (Page 31) The best networks for business? Try these first: • www.ziki.com Ziki is an online marketing agency that offers companies on-demand services to attract new customers and to promote their company on the Internet. • Women’s Instructional Network (WIN) WIN is the place to go for all the latest news from your ABWA group, pick up messages from your team members, and check on the latest meeting updates or special events. • www.ning.com Create your own social networks for anything. Ning powers the largest number of social networks on the Internet. • www.ecademy.com Ecademy was founded in 1998 and allows business people to connect both online and offline at networking events and one-onone meetings. Give as Good as you Get networking, much like mentoring, is a two-way street. what can you offer these new contacts? Perhaps a reference? support services? it’s not just about how they help you, but how you can work with each other. “one of the keys to networking is to always bring something, but not always expect something,” Higdon says. “it could be anything from a favorite cookie recipe to a lead for a job that didn’t fit your skills. networking is about connecting—it helps make things happen.” Live Online networking online is not just for teens anymore. business professionals are taking over the online networking realm. You could find your next job, career, or business opportunity online. “if you want to expand both your personal and professional networks, try to spend more than an hour each week reaching out across cities, state lines, and countries to expand your sphere of influence,” says sarah michel, professional speaker, trainer, and author of the Perfecting Connecting programs. “if you’re proactive and start reaching out globally, you will find there is a much bigger, better, and smarter world waiting to embrace you.” The only drawback: time. while there are many opportunities, not all are the best fit for you and your needs. Research, decide which networks will work for you, and be prepared to invest some time. “if you only have one hour a day to spend on growing your network, i would spend 20 percent of my time with online social networks and the other 80 percent with people within your sphere of influence either face to face, emailing, phone calls, or sending notes/cards,” michel says. Go Google yourself not sure if an internet presence is worth worrying about? According to searchadvantage.com: · 23 percent of executives surveyed said they Google a business colleague prior to meeting with them · 50 percent of recruiters said they decide whether or not to reach out to a candidate based on what they do or don’t find after Googling a candidate · 63 percent of executive recruiters surveyed said they Google a candidate prior to reaching out to them. it has been said, “if you can’t be found in Google—do you even exist?” A p r / M Ay 2 0 0 9 w o m e n i n b us i n e s s 31 http://www.ziki.com http://www.ning.com http://www.ecademy.com http://www.searchadvantage.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.