As stated in Wikipedia: “A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.”
The two most popular social networks in North America are Facebook and Linkedin. Facebook is a social network that is mainly used for personal reasons, where people can stay in touch with each other. Linkedin is used for business networking. If you have been in the business communty for a while, the two tend to blur. You tend to link in first with the people you interact with on a daily basis, which are the people you are currently working with. But as you meet new acquantances, and find old ones, your network expands. And as your current network links in with new links, you can tag along and link in with them also.
It is too early to say if either of these sites have helped with forging any business relationships. But personally, I am able to keep in touch with family and friends scattered across the country. I have received emails from high school and college friends that I have not talked to in years. It is amazing how many are in the technology industry. I am able to keep up with their own social networks and see what they are up to. I have learned an immense about what friends and family are doing personally and professionally.
Professionally, I am optimistic about the benefits of these networking sites. I don’t expect job offers coming in, but ideas are being generated constantly as a result of what others in my network are doing. I am currently reading a book entitled “The Wisdom of Crowds“. And one of the premises of the book, is that a group of individuals is wiser than one individual alone. They do not have to be working together to come up with a solution, but the group as a whole will come up with the best solution when taking all of the inputs. As I listen, watch and learn from others, and I can see myself growing professional and personally. And I am sure that I am not alone.
Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as by the latter. Based on what I am reading, I am in good company.
