have been working with a colleague on an article looking at the value of online networking. I was encouraged by the willingness of colleagues to look at how we can provide guidance and support in using the plethora of ‘knowledge tools’ that are available.
We have started to list the benefits and disadvantages of using online networking and I would welcome any suggested additions:
Benefits
- It helps people remotely based to get to know each other;
- Great opportunity to get to know people all over the world;
- You exchange knowledge and information;
- It is usually free;
- If you work from home or a remote office it can reduce that feeling of isolation;
- As many organisations are no longer based in large office teams and opportunities to meet colleagues in person becomer rarer, it is a great way to get to know your fellow co-workers. You never know what you may find out about them!
Disadvantages
- It is arguable whether the security on some of these sites is any good and there have been incidents of fraudsters and spamming now attacking through these sites, however, the risks are minimal if you use your common sense and don’t share sensitive information about yourself;
- You may not like exposing your life and all your personal details online, but you can usually adjust the settings of your profile to only show or share what you want.
I feel that the various groups and associations working in the knowledge and information arena need to collaborate more with each other and join the online networking spaces where current and potential members are operating.
There is a pressure on costs and so we need much smarter working within professional associations and groups to secure the professional developmentand networking that is required by an increasingly diverse and geographically scattered population.
