Networking has moved online, and businesspeople are connecting
globally and locally to create client relationships and expand
into new geographies. Here are the essential tools for jumping
into the virtual business network:
LINKEDIN
Basic membership in LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is free,
and gets you connected to members around the world. One great
LinkedIn feature is the Colleagues function that lets you
reconnect with people you've worked with over the years.
WORLDWIT
WorldWIT is a the free, global online community for professional
women (men are welcome, too) that provides member-to-member
answers on career, business, technology, financial and "life" topics.
A membership in any local WorldWIT community (like ChicWIT
in Chicago or BritWIT in London) lets you reach thousands
of businesspeople to get answers to anything that's on your
plate or on your mind. WorldWIT chapters have live events,
too. (Full disclosure: I lead this group.)www.worldwit.org
FRAPPR
Visit www.frappr.com - a cool online map site - to find
people in your area to connect with, and to create maps of
your own for coworkers, people in your network, or members
of alumni groups or association. You can attach a photo and
a "shout-out" to your "pin" on the map - check it out!
YAHOOGROUPS
Yahoogroups is the granddaddy of online networking tools,
and as simple as it is, the site connects millions of people
on zillions of topics. Email groups on marketing, web design,
or any other imaginable subject connect practitioners and
newbies to share knowledge and advice. www.yahoogroups.com.
Get online, jump in, and start networking!
Liz Ryan is a former Fortune 500 HR executive, a workplace
expert and the CEO of WorldWIT, the world's largest online
network for professional women. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. http://www.worldwit.org
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