Growing the network (LinkedIn case study)

June 16, 2009

I hit a dead end on the recording front after the studio software developed some problems. Apparently it could take months to fix the problems and so there will probably be no significant developments on that end for some time. I was very much looking forward to the studio experience and the setback could not have come at a worse time. However, it’s just temporary and it will only give me more time to prepare.  I will probably start working on the book in the meantime.

I have been helping some of my contacts with their own networking using LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com). My reasoning is that if my contacts expand their network, that will also enhance my own network.  In the first case I have been looking at contacts who would like to expand their network but currently have very few contacts on LinkedIn. I have encouraged them to add more details to their profiles to give more complete information.  Security concerns  still a sticky issue but one has to do decide how much information they would like to disclose online. Simply putting the name and current job is not enough. One has to try and populate all the fields on their profile, including information on their value proposition to their network, past employment and academic. Once there is more information it is much easier to introduce these contacts to fellow members of my network.

In the second  case my contacts had limited online presence with little to medium usage of other social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace etc.

The process I followed in expanding the network  is as follows: I requested a detailed cv with a comprehensive information about professional and academic background. I then had to get the email and password details from my contacts to create a LinkedIn account for them which I could log into. Generally the sharing of passwords in NEVER advised and I would not recommend it. However, there were very few options in this particular case.

Using the information from the cv I then used it to populate the profile on LinkedIn, in some cases summarising the information on the cv. After putting in all the revelant dates, jobs and educational information, the next stage was to start growing the actual network on LinkedIn. This was done by importing contacts from the webmail address book such as yahoo, gmail or whatever the case maybe and sending invitations to join the LinkedIn contacts. A note accompanying the invitation can also be helpful.

In one instance, there was only one address in the address book.  I then had to go through the emails and save the addresses of senders before more invitations could be sent. Fortunately the webmail was quite easy to use and it was not long before I had saved several email addresses.

It’s now a case of wait and see. I will send and introduce the new LinkedIn profiles to connections in my own LinkedIn network. This will not be done randomly but only after assessing where there is likely to be mutual benefit from the interaction of the parties in question.

From here I reckon my contacts can continue on their own on LinkedIn. They will really have to play around on the website to find out what it’s all about. Sometimes there is no way to find out except to try it out for yourself.  Going forward I will be assessing periodically to see if there is any value add from the whole process. – BTM

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The scout’s motto – Be prepared!

June 4, 2009

There is a good chance that right now you are probably not in the kind of space you would prefer, in your ideal space.

What if what you really wanted was given to you right now at this very instant? Would you be ready for it? Would you be prepared for it? Would you take it?

But with the power of spoken word, thought and deed you will inch closer from your current situation to that which you desire most. Set the ground for the action with constant, focussed and determined thought. With preparedness you will navigate your way from the present to the desired.

Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.   Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_Motto)

Work on your physical, mental and spiritual strength knowing that the moment can come at any time. You will need to be resilient and far sighted.  See beyond and live through the current situation and challenges.

You might not have any idea where you will be tomorrow but you can make sure that wherever you are, you are ready for whatever is thrown at you. If you are on the ground you are ready to run, in the water you ready to swim.

You are on call throughout the day to respond to the chances, the opportunities that come your way.  As you go to work and go about your daily business, as you return home, as you reflect on the proceedings of the day.

Make sure your tools are already for the job on hand. A bad workman blames his tools. You are certainly not one of those.

Someone once said we have no control over the length of our lives but we can certainly do something about width and depth. Add some width and depth to your life. Enhance the width and depth in your life with anticipation and preparedness for the different situations that come about.  Make your life worth living.

Answer the call without hesitation it comes.  When the opportunity presents itself take it.  Take your stand. It’s your moment. Be prepared! – BTM

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Posted by Bruce

Much ado about nothing

June 4, 2009

At this stage I feel that I have written on the same subjects for some time now and probably been repetitive in the process. I have been focussing on the same themes for some time and maybe it could be time to think about a different approach.  I will try to invest in some reading over the coming months and hopefully get some new ideas.  I read all kinds of material including scientific, fiction, non fiction and  spiritual material. I will probably post one more article before I embark on this  journey to add more depth to my material. I also intend to add some new  artworks to the site over the coming weeks and months. – BTM

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Posted by Bruce

There it is!

June 4, 2009

Sometimes we are so busy looking for something that we don’t notice that it’s right there. Right there in front us, right there in our grasp, right there within us, Right there with us, Right there for everyone else to see but ourselves!

Perhaps we have become so accustomed to problems that it’s the only thing that we now know.  Things were not always like that and neither should they stay that way. There is always a solution for every problem. Just because we can’t find it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Break the norm! When we been in a situation for a very long time, sometimes we can’t see anything beyond that situation. We have grown used to it and what used to be a problem is now acceptable. Its become the norm but what we need to do is break this norm.

Mixed bag! We can’t focus on negatives all the time and expect to find positives within them. This is just not possible. Remember that life is mixed bag always throwing different things at us. Some days it’s going to throw lemons at us and some day it will be apples.

Different Angle! Why not get a fresh pair of eyes, why not get a fresh perspective, why not a different view. Get a different angle from a spectator, they almost always have a better view of what’s going on than the players who are right in the middle of the action.  The spectator enjoys a comfortable vantage view from which he can see all the players and offer an impartial appraisal of the situation. Sometimes get someone who has absolutely nothing to do with the area, situation, and position and hear what they say. Common sense is indeed common! Try the reasonable man in the street.

Freshen up! Let’s take a break from what we are doing even for very brief moments. After all we have been at it for hours and things are not any better.  These short breaks can refresh us. A break can mean doing something totally different for a little while, distract ourselves a bit and getting back energised.

Take stock! If the way we are doing things is not yielding the desired results then maybe it’s time to reconsider everything. Either we are not doing it right or we seek the wrong results.

Stop! Let’s stop right there and think about what we are really looking for? Do we still remember it?  Do we even know it? Sometimes we have been looking for things so long that we have even forgotten why we are doing it. It’s become a ritual. If we don’t know why we are doing the things we doing maybe its time to just stop.

Finding it! Sometimes we find what we are looking for when we actually stop looking. What happens when we stop looking sometimes is that we can become open to possibilities. We acknowledge that it may indeed be lost for good or that it’s still there somewhere, waiting to be found. The expectation of finding is gone.  How often do we find something when we have just about looked everywhere and it turns up in the most obvious places? It didn’t just reappear! And we are certain we looked there. We know we did but then we were in such a hurry, we were already thinking of the next place to look and not focussing on the moment.

You! They are looking for someone to lead, someone who can take it to the next level and add real value. You can’t seem to think of anyone suitable. Have you considered yourself?

So before we give up next time on what we are looking for, let’s take it easy. We just might be staring right at it. There it is! – BTM

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Posted by Bruce

Much ado about nothing

June 4, 2009

I can’t remember the last time I blogged or what I wrote about. Its been that long. Lately its been very hectic. There are lots of deadlines and when I get home I am so tired.  During the day I am playing with numbers and making sense of them. At night I am trying to string words together to get a decent meaning.

I  got an idea on something just as I was about to sleep so will stay up a little while and see I can put a few things together. Past experience has shown me if I do not immediately act on an idea, its soon forgotten!

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Posted by Bruce