New-world network – relationships in real time

Posted on 13. Nov, 2009 by Susan Wright in Life Coaching

My Friday started early. Precisely at midnight my toddler was awake and crying, then again an hour later, and there were many more starts and stops. No wonder I really wasn’t in the mood to post a blog today. Do you think there is anything to this Friday the 13th stuff? Anyway, a really cool thing happened, I got on Twitter and connected with my coffee tweets, then I got a call to support someone with goal clarity, and now I’m here on the page.  I’m inspired by both my offline relationships and those online.  I’m loving the new connections I’m making on Twitter and fascinated by the results I’m achieving after attending a social-media seminar just two days ago.  I was able to apply what I learned in a matter of one day and WOW! my network has expanded.  A fellow tweeter even offered to interview me after sharing virtual coffee time and visiting my site –– awesome!

Last post I wrote about the power of relationships and networks and I can indeed attest to the fact that there is power in both. People really do want to help one another. People want to connect on relevant issues and topics that inspire conversation, debate, and humour. Being at the centre of your connections, and then, taking the initiative to engage through conversation, chats, or tweets is a great way to form alliances, friendships, and partnerships.

Whether you are making a personal or professional transition, I encourage you to seek out the information, resources, and ideas found within your network. If you don’t think you have a network, then just look around you. There are friends, family, and acquaintances, that often can help, or are linked to a network that can. Let’s face it, we are not alone even when we think we might be. When you reach out there is a mutual benefit; you are no longer alone with your dilemma and the other person may feel regarded and appreciated. Not a bad scenario when you consider how many problems we all face from time to time in our business or private lives. Most people feel a little better when they can help, or even when we can’t help, it feels nice to be asked. Possibly, a little lift to the ego, but better yet, you are in service of others — which trumps ego any day.

Whether you connect online or offline, relationships are created. Online relationships start like any other, with an introduction, a gesture, a casual remark about the weather, business or life. Yet, what is so interesting about online relationships is that they can cover great distances and yet take place in real time. In other words, they are informal conversations that happen across time zones and there is no delay in correspondence, unless your system fails! There are a whole host of businesses and industries involved in real-time transactions and collaboration; yet, there are a whole group of folks, just like me, who are learning the ropes of this new-world network.

It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s a great way to do business. I can get specific information that can best suit my clients’ needs and provide them with a way to increase their own visibility or leverage their unique contributions to the world.  I can connect with people in a way that creates access and ease to the services they need. So here are three things you need to do if you haven’t already:

1) Build your network

2) Develop relationships

3) Be generous and gracious

First, to build your network online join: LinkedIn (I was so impressed when my Dad, from a generation where none of this existed,  joined my network), Facebook, and of course, Twitter.  To build offline: join a group, join a professional association, find a place you can connect with like-minded people, visit places that invite conversation and collaboration, or simply stay in touch with those you already know. You may need to do a little research to find what feels right for you and suits your needs. There are many options and I encourage you to explore and decide on one way to begin.

Second, to develop relationships, start the conversation or be open enough to let someone connect with you. Stay in touch and keep them up to date on things of interest to them and you. Third, and most importantly, whether you are online or offline, be approachable, professional, friendly, and say “Thank you” (there are a number of ways to do this, but for now I trust, you get the idea).

The beauty of our new-world network is that people are talking, sharing, exchanging ideas and crossing through barriers like never before. It really is a way to build capacity for change, whether that’s personal or social.

After my real-time connections today, there is now a little more momentum in Wright Momentum and I feel magnified by the power of these relationships.  With great appreciation…my Friday the 13th didn’t turn out so badly after all.

Susan

Tags: change, communicate, life & business, personal and professional networks, power, relationships, social networks, transition