Forwarding is the New Networking By Mindy Selinger
I think that it’s a bit ironic that I was forwarded a link to an article by Tom Davenport of the Harvard Business Review, ‘Forwarding is the New Networking’. Tom’s article supports what I’ve been teaching for the past five years; The Importance of Sharing Information. In fact, the definition of business networking I use is this: Networking is the exchange of Ideas, Information and Resources (From Naisbett’s book Megatrends). You can share any article with hundreds of your closest business associates by learning to use all those book marks and forwarding social networking buttons.
The world is getting smaller at the click of a mouse because social media use is now so prevelant. Our networking reach is unlimited. Are we better networkers because of this? Probably not. The quality of the connections you have are what’s important. An excellent way to keep in touch is to forward along useful information. It lets’ someone, that you met at abusiness networking event know that you’re thinking about them and their needs.
Be careful though. Don’t get in to the habit of just regurgitating the same old information to everyone. Give it a personal touch. Always send along a short note on why the information will be useful to them.
Recently, one of my connections, that I met at a business networking event, sent me some information on a resource along with her thoughts on how I might use that resource. I understood the value and took quick action. The subsequent result was Wonderful! I’m very grateful.
Benjamin Disreali said it best, when he said… “As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information” (I’m sure he meant to include women, as well)