The Importance of Networking

[Although this was posted thru the school cirriculum, it still holds some valuable key points to networking]

Contributed by David Tupper; Blake, Casseis & Graydon LLP

One of the skills that is often attributed to successful lawyers (or law students) is networking skills. Sometimes "networking" has a negative connotation to it, being equated with insin-cerity. Often, networking is thought of as onerous and unpalatable to most of us who lack movie-star confidence.

Read this article here (PDF download)
http://www.ucalgary.ca/law/system/files/The_Importance_of_Networking.pdf

Networking Directories

Christian business networking groups A-Z Directory
http://www.a2zbizdir.com/christian-business-networking.html

Directory of Professional and Trade Associations
http://www.marketingsource.com/associations

Directory Search by State
http://www.e-magnify.com/resources_groups.asp

Find Business Strategy and Networking Groups In Your Area
http://businessnetwork.meetup.com

GOOGLE Main Group Index
http://groups-beta.google.com

GOOGLE Business -
http://groups-beta.google.com/groups/dir?sel=16823574,16823570

Group Search Index (USA) -
http://www.bizdir.org/index.phtml?browse=/Regional/
North_America/United_States

Index for networking thru Tagworld -
http://www.tagworld.com/-/Main.aspx

International/Other Topics Directory -
http://www.meetup.com/browse

iToolbox Network Search Index -
http://networking.ittoolbox.com/groups

Library of Associations on the Net -
http://www.ipl.org/div/aon

MSN Main Groups Index -
http://groups.live.com

National/ Online Business Networking Directory -
http://www.marketingforsuccess.com/networking-national.html

Networking For Professionals! -
http://www.networkingforprofessionals.com

Regional Search Index USA -
http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/North_America/United_States

Regional Search Index -
http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional

Search variety of countries/regions -
http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional

Search your local area -
http://www.truelocal.com/topicsearch.aspx?q=networking

Women Owned.com Networking Index -
http://www.womanowned.com/StartingUp/Relationships/Networking.aspx

Yahoo Groups Main -
http://finance.dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/Business___Finance

Yahoo Groups Business -
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=sfp&p=Networking+Groups

Number of Social Networking Users Has Doubled Since 2007

Posted by Adam Ostrow

Specifically, 55.6 million adults – or just less than 1/3rd of the population – in the US now visit social networks at least monthly, according to a new report from Forrester Research. That’s up from just 15 percent of adults in 2007, and around 18 percent last year.

Read article here
http://mashable.com/2009/07/28/social-networking-users-us

Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs

by Dianne Humphries

Looking for a job? Consider creating your own. There are a number of social resources to help you connect with other entrepreneurs and get your business ideas off the ground.

Here are the top 10 social networks for entrepreneurs. Each helps entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with the guidance, tools and resources they need to setup their company and gain exposure.

Read her list here
http://www.socialmedianation.org/2009/03/top-10-social-networks-for-entrepreneursdianne-humphries

10 Strategies for Getting Results from Joining Professional Associations

I'll be the first to admit that I went a little nuts when I moved to Little Rock in 2003 in terms of going all-out to participate in a variety of professional associations. I had some experience with most of the groups that I visited in other places I had lived, or had clients who had positive experiences with certain groups. I was so eager to become involved again in professional associations that instead of really paying attention to the composition of the group as it existed here locally, I made decisions to join groups based on my past experiences and experiences of clients.

Read article here
http://www.onlinebizcoachingcompany.com/articles/professionalassoc.htm