On nearly a daily basis, most of us receive requests to connect on LinkedIn.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the concept, the LinkedIn website explains it as “an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.”  They claim to have over 36 million members and if that number is even close, that’s pretty mind-boggling.

            Being an avid networker I am often asked by people, “Ken, should I accept the LinkedIn requests?”  Before I answer that question I must first tell you that I LOVE LinkedIn!  There are so many reasons, but mostly it’s because LinkedIn brings technology to networking.  I know how much time and effort it takes to stay in touch with my network, but now some brilliant software developers have figured out how to do it “better, faster, stronger.”  With no effort at all you can find old friends and colleagues.  Business development people can find people within targeted companies.  To make introductions even easier there are groups within LinkedIn so you can find people with common interests and experiences.  With six degrees of separation, someday I may be able to meet Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen, a key player in Finance and Accounting and according to all accounts my look-alike separated-at-birth twin! 


            Now we get to the question of accepting invitations to connect.  First let me explain what “accepting” means.  When you accept an invitation, you do two things:  first, you allow that person to see your connections and who you know; second, you are viewed as being closely associated with them, which assumes you know them well enough to provide an introduction.  My own policy, and my recommendation to you, is to only accept invitations to connect with people you know well.  If I meet someone at a networking event and get a business card, that would not usually mean I’d accept a LinkedIn invitation. 
           

            I recommend you register on LinkedIn and explore around on it.  It is a very useful and efficient technology when used responsibly and it’s one of the more powerful networking tools.  Just remember though, bigger is not necessarily better on LinkedIn, which just might answer the question.

 

Ken Tudhope

Project Pro Search

ktudhope@projectprosearch.com