Comments on: Why “Networking” either in person or online, turns me off. http://www.thetrainingworld.com/wp/training-wisdom-or-training-foolishness/mouthing-off/why-networking-either-in-person-or-online-turns-me-off/ Robert Bacal's Commentary and Learning Materials For Trainers, Managers, HR Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Milan Davidovic http://www.thetrainingworld.com/wp/training-wisdom-or-training-foolishness/mouthing-off/why-networking-either-in-person-or-online-turns-me-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1603 Milan Davidovic Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:59:59 +0000 http://www.thetrainingworld.com/wp/?p=760#comment-1603 Perhaps what we're missing are observed, documented, and analysable accounts of networking activity -- Networkers in the Mist, anyone? Perhaps what we’re missing are observed, documented, and analysable accounts of networking activity — Networkers in the Mist, anyone?

]]> By: Mitch McCrimmon http://www.thetrainingworld.com/wp/training-wisdom-or-training-foolishness/mouthing-off/why-networking-either-in-person-or-online-turns-me-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1573 Mitch McCrimmon Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:25:33 +0000 http://www.thetrainingworld.com/wp/?p=760#comment-1573 I agree with the sentiment that using people is distasteful. But, the question is: Why do you assume that networking entails using people? If you see all of your business contacts as customers then why wouldn't you think that approaching them could help them meet some of their goals? I think, when people network or approach potential business contacts in any other way, they can do so with either of two attitudes: 1) how can I use this person for my own benefit or 2) what might be the mutual benefit of my getting to know this person. The second attitude could be expressed also as: how can I help this person in a way that is also of some benefit to me. Anyway, depending on what attitude you adopt, networking does not have to be distasteful or unethical. I agree with the sentiment that using people is distasteful. But, the question is: Why do you assume that networking entails using people? If you see all of your business contacts as customers then why wouldn’t you think that approaching them could help them meet some of their goals? I think, when people network or approach potential business contacts in any other way, they can do so with either of two attitudes: 1) how can I use this person for my own benefit or 2) what might be the mutual benefit of my getting to know this person. The second attitude could be expressed also as: how can I help this person in a way that is also of some benefit to me.

Anyway, depending on what attitude you adopt, networking does not have to be distasteful or unethical.

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