It's who you know... isn't it?

I've recently been sucked into the world of social networking, through Facebook and LinkedIn. For those of you unfamiliar with these, Facebook seems to be overrun by teenagers and is like the interactive version of Friends Reunited. It makes me feel old (and I only caught the last few months of the 70's). Very much at the social end of networking spectrum. At the other end, LinkedIn, in my opinion, is the more worthwhile for career / professional networking. I've already found Sue on there and it allows you to find former colleagues, post your career experience and maybe find a new job there. All very neat and I wish I'd thought of it...

The beauty of these sites, as far as I'm concerned, is the ability to have a look at who your contacts are connected with. You can request an introduction - much less awkward in cyberspace - and an easy way to widen your networked circle.

However, I always have something to rant about in my posts, so here it is:

There is too much cloak and dagger competition in IC. While our companies may be competing, we're not. I'm not asking you for trade secrets of the sector you're in or begging for insider trading tips. Linking in to what Sue said last week, maybe there is no short cut to hard graft. I agree there is no 'quick fix' but, on the other hand, someone, somewhere is bound to have done it before. Maybe not to the letter, but in all the companies, in all the world, your dilemma / project / change programme / niggle has been tackled before.

So, perhaps this really does prove "It's not what you know, but who you know". You can hide away in a room and work out how to solve your problem. Or you can post a question on here. Let other people share their knowledge, experience and wisdom to make your life easier. Perhaps even log onto LinkedIn and find me - I'll gladly share my (limited) contacts with you and we can create our own network of IC professionals.

I'm all for making things easier - that's the natural lazy person in me. But I suspect that all our lives could be made a little easier if people in IC talked to each other a bit more.

Comments

[Sue]

Hi Fiona

I'll join you in the 'let's get better at talking' plea. I get really chuffed on the odd occasion I see someone mailing their black belt group to ask for inspiration/ideas ... and then really depressed if nobody answers them!

I regularly email/call people for help with anything from ideas or advice to 'I'm really sorry, but I've forgotten how to work out percentages again', and I hope friends and colleagues know I'll always help them out if I can. (or even people I don't know at all. I get about an email a week out of the blue.)

But a) you kind of have to make the effort to keep in touch now and again b) if you don't ask, you won't get (as my mother would say) and c) it only works if people actually offer help/ideas/experience back.

We're about to start a 'tell us what to talk about' feature on here so people can prompt us to start debates about topics they're interested in rather than waiting for us to say something worth commenting on. I hope we'll be overwhelmed with comments & debate ...! Come on guys - we've got a great network here - let's use it!

Sue

[liam]

Isn't being a good networker one of the key competencies?

L

[Liam]

Actually, I've just realised that the UK Chartered Institute of PR's IC group is organising a speed-networking event in London on 12 June. It should be fun - I'll post details when I get them.

Liam

[Alex Manchester]

I'm becoming amazed at the growth of Facebook, it really does seem like everyone is getting in on the act as it seems to fill the void nicely between the teenage or "Yoof" focus of MySpace and the business-focus of LinkedIn. Loads of people I know through work or socially have either joined or been talking about joining this past week. Have to say I've yet to join any of the networks but maybe it's just a matter of time.

As for a "network for communicators" that's a very interesting idea!

[Sue]

I've just re-read this post (because I'm being a girly swot and tagging and categorising all my posts) and I'm so glad you said Facebook made you feel old too!

It's sent me scuttling back to the relative comfort of Linked In - which actually makes you realise just how many contacts you have, when you start browsing.

So thanks for the prompt - it's made me update my profile and actually start contacting people. (which means I forgive you for introducing me to Facebook and making me feel totally ancient!)