i have a few friends who's lives depend in varying measure on networking. they can set me straight (and I'm sure they will when they read this post) - but they are involved in various forms of networking that involves social interaction using the internet and other technological media.
check them out: mike, aiden, dez
mike's very livelihood depends on the growth of social interactive software (let him get you straight on the correct terminology)... aiden's business depends on his ability to connect with potential clients... his blog is one of his methods of networking, connecting, sharing and participating in conversation with people who might use his expertise. dez is an example of a gregarions kind of person who doesn't depend on internet interaction for his financial livelihood - but he might say he can't live without facebook :)
networking - interaction - relationship - watch-words of the new business paradigm?
today I was walking through Central (the small inner-city area of Port Elizabeth where I work) and smiled at a lady walking toward me. She greeted me warmly by name! I was surprised that she knew me and we stopped to talk. She is from the Anglican Church in Central and works in the area of community development. She is aware of certain projects that my church is involved in in Central and expressed the desire to get together so that we can talk about collaborative efforts...
Networking - Central style - no email, no internet, no phone. just a side-walk and a small community where you are known (or becoming known!).
Am I living in the Olde-Worlde? or is there still a place for social interaction, networking and relationship without technology?
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2 comments:
Firstly, Barry, in response to your final question: I should hope so. As much digital or cyber-social interaction I engage in, you know me well enough to know there is nothing I enjoy more than a good cup of coffee in Melville or even, God forbid, a cockroach-ridden meal at Nando's :)
The primary message of my presentation to SA companies on Social Networking via the WWW is that social networking as a practice is as old as civilisation itself. There's nothing new about social networking, or the value of it, except that this digital, social, evolving internet allows us to SEE the networks we engage in. And by seeing them, we can expand, manipulate and understand them better, faster and cheaper than before.
Which is why companies care about it so much. That lady walking toward you in the street is no different, less important or less valuable than the arb reader who stumbles across this site. Whether they know you or not. The difference between this site and the conversation that ensues on the street is that this has exponential digital implications.
yo mikey
i knew i could count on you for a comment...
i was talking to two people educated today - a psychologist and a physiotherapist - and they were asking "so what's blogging?"...
:)
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