Learn To Use The Connections That Are Online Correctly, Please!

Here is my beef. Yes, I want to connect with more on LinkedIn and Twitter, but the problem is I don’t know you and using just the friend connection click is not enough. When I find someone I want to connect with on LinkedIn or Twitter, I first go out and look at their profile and find a commonality between us. Then I go to their web site and check out what that person does and what we have in common.

From that simple research, when I click us to be friends, I can now add why we should be and what we have in common. People, it is just that simple. Not a lot of work. And by the way, if you want me to connect with you, I need to know that you do research. Connecting just to add up and compete with others and their numbers is not my style. I don’t want 500+ friends; I want only those who I can do business with. Remember, it is a business connection, not a party.

So I am warning you right now, if you send me an invite to join you on LinkedIn or Twitter and you don’t tell me why we should be friends with a little more detail showing me you did some research, I will simply click the ignore button. Sorry to say, that is how I feel about it. This is post number two on this network/connection thing. Is anybody out there listening?

Gainful Knowledge Unexpected

Hey friends out there. I went to a seminar today to learn more about retirement strategies. As I spoke with the gentleman sitting next to me, I learned that the Ford Focus is built in Mexico. How many of you out there own a Ford Focus. Do you realize that many people here in the US are not employed because of that?

How dare the Ford Empire based in the city of Detroit/Dearborn build their taunted Ford Focus as the car of the future? When right before them are tons of unemployed people needing jobs where they are based. Now I’m just saying this because the Detroit Metro Area has the highest number of unemployed people in the country. I think residents here should not buy the Ford Focus until they bring it back to being built in America. You stopped buying the Toyota until they stated building them here. You stopped buying many other cares until they started building them here.

Now I am beginning to wonder how many more cars is the Ford Empire are built elsewhere. Is the Escape built in another country? How about the Edge? Where is the Expedition or maybe the Flex built? I don’t have anything against Ford itself, I just don’t like the idea of them selling cars here that are built elsewhere when resident of the Detroit Metro Area - where they are based - are in need of jobs. Before you buy a Ford, find out where it is built first.

Do You Really Understand What Being Friends on Social Networks Are?

I am hearing more and more about connecting through networking. But I don’t think many really understand what networking is exactly. Yes, you need to make new friends. Yes, you need to work with new groups. Yes, you need to join some associations. And last, yes, you need to connect and network.

But here is my beef with this whole connect and network thing. It does not mean to connect on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook just because you heard of someone and think you should follow them on either of those web sights. Why, that is not real connecting/networking. Lately, I have gotten so many invites from LinkedIn and Twitter, I am about to discontinue my association with both sites.

People, being my friend is not just linking with me. Being my friend is helping me get work, supporting my workshops on your web sites or in your newsletters. And how about, when you need a speaker, did you think of me? All my real friends on LinkedIn and Twitter know that the minute I know they have something going on such as, online conferences, upcoming workshops, etc. I post it in the Scribal News Calendar. And I know they post my information in their newsletters, on their blogs, on their web sites, etc.

So if you want me to be your friend, connect and network on any of the aforementioned sites. Support my career and I will support yours. But until then, we can not connect and be friends and don’t invite me to be one.

Freedom of Speech Can Cause Damage

Since the shooting of the congress woman from Arizona, people are debating whether it was caused by words spoken or actions not taken. Yes, I am for freedom of speech, but we must learn how to say the right words at the right time.

It seems that guy who did the shooting was up in arms about things the congress woman said and did. Although it looks as if he also might have had mental issues too, sometimes words are misunderstood.

For example, let’s say someone cussed you out on the street. What would you most likely do? The odds are you would begin to pick a fight. It seems to be human nature here in America. What would be the best way to deal with this to me would be to ask a simple question first. Like, did I do something to offend you? I think that would throw the person off. Why? Because that individual would want you to pick a fight.

I remember while I was growing up, I would here the phrase; a little kindness goes a long way. And I know it works. Once when I was in a shopping mall, a lady was irate about a purchase and she went off on a clerk behind the counter. Anyway, when I asked her what was she mad about. She told me she had been treated badly by a salesclerk. Well, I told her don’t do the same thing. Act like a lady of stature. And when she did, the manager proceeded to assist her with the utmost care. When her problem was over, she came back to me and said thank you.

Now back to what I said at the beginning. It not what you say, it’s when you say it and how you say it. Freedom of speech is a blessing we here in the United State have. We are not to misuse it, but appreciate it. Not everyone in the world has the choices we have. That’s what freedom of speech is all about. Not an excuse to berate, kill, or maim another that doesn’t agree with you. I would love to hear you comments on this.