Comments on: Stalking is the New Networking http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:46:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mimi http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html/comment-page-1#comment-2957 Mimi Thu, 18 May 2006 11:51:05 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1039#comment-2957 You mentioned there was a discussion about how well or not well women network. What was the outcome? Were women considered better or worse than men? I find (and I am a woman) that I have some very successful women friends and colleagues but that they are all so busy with their professions and families that they do not network well at all. Networking is not a priority. I would like to hear more about what the group said. You mentioned there was a discussion about how well or not well women network. What was the outcome? Were women considered better or worse than men? I find (and I am a woman) that I have some very successful women friends and colleagues but that they are all so busy with their professions and families that they do not network well at all. Networking is not a priority. I would like to hear more about what the group said.

]]> By: Dave Jilk http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html/comment-page-1#comment-2956 Dave Jilk Tue, 16 May 2006 22:15:58 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1039#comment-2956 In response to SSG, why do you need to network with a person if what you have is not relevant to them? If it's not relevant to them, why are they relevant to you? I think this is what Brad was getting at - networking is not a completely random process, rather it is directed serendipity. Figure out who might have an interest, how they prefer to interact, and see if you can get 15 minutes to tell them what you're doing by explaining why it's relevant. On standing apart, I have found joining non-profit boards and organizations to be a great way to network in close quarters without having to stalk anyone. In response to SSG, why do you need to network with a person if what you have is not relevant to them? If it’s not relevant to them, why are they relevant to you? I think this is what Brad was getting at – networking is not a completely random process, rather it is directed serendipity. Figure out who might have an interest, how they prefer to interact, and see if you can get 15 minutes to tell them what you’re doing by explaining why it’s relevant.

On standing apart, I have found joining non-profit boards and organizations to be a great way to network in close quarters without having to stalk anyone.

]]> By: SSG http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html/comment-page-1#comment-2955 SSG Tue, 16 May 2006 07:15:07 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1039#comment-2955 Brad I can see a lot of people agreeing with you on the stalking and yes it can definitely be very annoying for the "football". However, for a person looking in to network and struggling with good ways to start, could you recommend a good set of ground rules/conversation starters. Giving is a good way to start, but then 1) how do you stand apart in a group of givers? 2) what you have might not necessarily be relevant to the person, then what? Brad

I can see a lot of people agreeing with you on the stalking and yes it can definitely be very annoying for the “football”. However, for a person looking in to network and struggling with good ways to start, could you recommend a good set of ground rules/conversation starters.
Giving is a good way to start, but then
1) how do you stand apart in a group of givers?
2) what you have might not necessarily be relevant to the person, then what?

]]> By: Adam C. Dudley http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html/comment-page-1#comment-2954 Adam C. Dudley Tue, 16 May 2006 04:50:23 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1039#comment-2954 You are dead on with this post Brad! Three years ago, when I was still just starting out as an entrepreneur, I visited 75% of all the networking organizations here in Central Florida. What I discovered was that people don't have a clue that networking invovles GIVING before RECEIVING! Most are so selfish and are obviously out to just see what you can do for them, rather than the other way around, as it should be done. You are dead on with this post Brad!

Three years ago, when I was still just starting out as an entrepreneur, I visited 75% of all the networking organizations here in Central Florida.

What I discovered was that people don’t have a clue that networking invovles GIVING before RECEIVING!

Most are so selfish and are obviously out to just see what you can do for them, rather than the other way around, as it should be done.

]]> By: Andrew Fife http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/05/stalking-is-the-new-networking.html/comment-page-1#comment-2953 Andrew Fife Mon, 15 May 2006 21:36:18 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1039#comment-2953 I think the issue with your soccer ball example is that many people may not need specific advice now but rather believe that you are somebody who could help them down the road and their intention is to build a personal relationship now in support of favors/advice later. The problem is that people with relatively high profiles have way to many people who want to get to know them. One approach to networking that has worked well for me is to consider how I can help the other person rather than just focusing on what they can do for me. I think this is good advice on many levels but for anyone who happens to meet a high profile person whom they would like to keep in touch with but don't have any immediate reason to contact now, it is a good idea to see what connections you can make on their behalf now. For example if that person happens to be an investor why not offer to introduce them to entrepreneurs that are working on projects in their feild? I think the issue with your soccer ball example is that many people may not need specific advice now but rather believe that you are somebody who could help them down the road and their intention is to build a personal relationship now in support of favors/advice later. The problem is that people with relatively high profiles have way to many people who want to get to know them.

One approach to networking that has worked well for me is to consider how I can help the other person rather than just focusing on what they can do for me. I think this is good advice on many levels but for anyone who happens to meet a high profile person whom they would like to keep in touch with but don’t have any immediate reason to contact now, it is a good idea to see what connections you can make on their behalf now. For example if that person happens to be an investor why not offer to introduce them to entrepreneurs that are working on projects in their feild?

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