Feb
2
2010
When I was first introduced to LinkedIn it was a natural extension of what I was already doing daily in the Calgary small business community. I still remember sitting at the Starbucks along with my good friend Craig Elias back around 2002/2003 and him helping me understand LinkedIn and what it was about.
My goal which is still true today, was to meet as many like-minded and business savvy professionals who can help me build my IT consulting business. In addition, I can create a strong, healthy and awesome business network of people I can introduce to my clients to help in their time of need.
The same holds true today, my goals for networking have not changed one bit. I like to think I am getting smarter with my business networking and tools such as LinkedIn play an important role. Networking is all about creating and fostering a true give and take relationship, helping those around us, putting on my mask first and then helping those around me.
LinkedIn was a natural, technology based solution to what I was doing naturally.
LinkedIn has been around for a several years and from its inception has focused on providing business professionals with an online community to meet others, offer advice, solve riddles and create communities of interest. LinkedIn is now the leader in business to business networking in the online world and I don’t believe they will fall anytime soon. Geared at the service oriented professionals, sales executive right through to the “C” level executive, LinkedIn just makes sense.
ULISTIC’s advice is to focus on getting the most out of LinkedIn but not ignoring the other services or social networking sites out there. Spend more time mastering LinkedIn prior to learning the others in-depth. By focusing on mastering LinkedIn first you will start to reap the rewards of your commitment and hard work.
LinkedIn is a platform for you to network online. It is just a tool, you still need to learn how to treat others with respect, you still need social skills and you must have a genuine interest in helping those around you. It provides a resource for you to meet new people in the community or to collaborate with others in the same line of work as you either around the corner or on the other side of the world. LinkedIn has no geographical boundaries or hours of operation. At the core, LinkedIn provides a platform for you to start and keep up healthy business relationships.
LinkedIn can help you close more business (depending if your sales skills are still sharp), find that job you always wanted or even find a mentor who can see you through a difficult time. LinkedIn is a powerful service and one every business professional must engage.
LinkedIn is a tool for you to get started on building strong and vibrant business relationships, a tool to share information, a tool to help others who are looking for what you have to share and most importantly a service to help you reach your goals.
