The Office Gal

Networking is an important tool regardless of the position that you hold. Not only will networking increase the resources at your disposal, but you can also gain a partnership with many of the people you meet. That is the true meaning of networking “establishing a beneficial relationship for all parties.” Becoming an effective tool for each other.

Those Seeking Networking

Corporate professionals seek networking to establish clients, create business resources to get answers to difficult questions, or many use their networking pool to get up the ladder. Asking for a reference or recommendation is not uncommon within a close network of associates.

Working at home may be your dream come true, but although you still have the tools to keep you in the loop, like e-mail, instant messaging, and the phone, you might miss the contact of having someone physically in the office with you. Now, although not alone, you could feel lonely. Your network could give you today’s lunch partner.

Have you chosen to stay at home? You still work, maybe not out in the corporate world or for a company within your home, but you still manage a household and family, your networking is most important. Reaching out for comradery is a strong emotion in us all. It helps to have friends to either have play dates with, lunch, or to just vent.

The Networks

There are a ton of places popping up on the Internet that offer social and business networking. Many sites ask you to sign up, create a profile, and then you have the World Wide Web at your fingertips. Here are a few suggestions of on-line networking spots to take a look at.

Linked In: For both the corporate and work-at-home professional, LinkedIn is a complete networking community with millions of potential clients, partners, and friends. You can add people to your network that are current or past colleagues, those you have offered a service to, and even find people within the same company or position/title that you hold in other companies. Growth for your network is phenomenal. There is even an option to ask those in your network for a recommendation.

Cafe Mom: The perfect place for stay-at-home-moms to create a profile and meet other moms, both around the world and locally right in your backyard. Make play date appointments, meet just for lunch, join interest groups, you name it! This is a great social networking site. Sorry dads - for moms only.

Dad Daily: Dads, you have a site just for you! This is a new social networking site for you to create a profile page and meet other dads to talk and discuss life. Create a group or just discuss the latest about what your little one is doing - al up to you! Finally a place where no moms are allowed.

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