Networking web site. Usefull or not?

I've managed to maintain contact with some key people in previous companies through LinkedIn. I've recently updated and pulled some MT folks into my network, as well.

Some of the connections it finds are fascinating!

I like it for the purpose of making connections. Once I've used it to get an introduction to a company I was interested in learning more about. Otherwise - its a form of documentation.

Brian

I'm a little skeptical about the value of Linkedin but I did listen last night to a podcast about it's business value that some might find interesting

[url]http://gdayworld.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/03/28/gday-world-219-using-…].

this has been discussed in the forums previously, most recently:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1643

John

i have also been wondeing the benefit of linkedin, or wondering if it is just a tool for search engine optimization. who knows!! but if it helps you to make connections, it can't be too bad right?

I have experienced that networking sites, like Facebook and LinkedIn, are great to get connected to people you knew in the past, that has slipped away from you. However, as I have learned from M&M i think it takes effort to maintain and build a relationship. You have to communicate frequently with them, preferably about things that are important to the person you would like to form a network with.

Check out the "Building a Network Podcast" from 2006 here.
http://www.manager-tools.com/2006/05/building-a-network/

It contains some great tools.

John Hack's post above points to another thread on this topic.

Mark

[quote="cbarlow"]Do any of you participate on any on line networking sites. I have been on http://www.linkedin.com/ for a while.

Does anyone have any experience with this site or any other and do you feel they are helpful?

Thanks[/quote]

I have used the site to keep contact with people I used to work with, currently work with and have met at conferences. My main use, however, is the Q&A forums. When I've got some spare time I go in there and see if there are any questions I can answer, if so I answer them (often including a link to the entry on MT containing an appropriate podcast). I've also asked a few questions as well.

I did note that both Mark and Mike have profiles on LinkedIn, although I don't know how much they use them.

Stephen