August 18th, 2009 by Scott Annan
Three months ago I spent several hours trying to convince my brother, a recent PHD graduate in Bio-Chemistry, how our software (Network Hippo) was valuable for everyone, including science “people”. He was trying to see how it was applicable, but kept explaining that scientists are pretty anti-networking: they avoid talking to people at conferences, don’t hold “mixers”, and rarely go out beyond the lab or the local pub.
They just don’t see networking as part of their DNA – they stand on the merit of their work.
Over the last few months he has been preparing for a move from Montreal to Ottawa. It was a lifestyle choice, and he holds a great job that he can “do from anywhere”. However, his wife is a teacher and they have three kids, so there’s a lot of work setting up a new life in a new city.
This morning he called me and told me that everything is in place: they’ve found a house, his wife has a teaching job, a new school, and childcare for the youngest. He asked me if I remembered the discussion that we had several months ago. ”You know, you were right.” (that may be me editorializing) ”The house was recommended and made possible from a relative, the job interview was setup by a friend, as was the school, a nanny was recommended to us… Everything around our move happened because of our network. I never realized how many people we knew who could help”.
It was their network of family and friends that opened up opportunities and made moving possible. Networking isn’t (just) about attending new events and “schmoozing” by the bar – it’s about keeping in touch with people you know who are willing – even happy – to help.
Do you have any examples of how your network made a difficult move possible?
(PS – reference to moving cheese is based on the book “Who Moved my Cheese” by Spencer Johnson, one of my brother’s favorite books)
image cred to zazzle.
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April 21st, 2009 by Scott Annan
After months of discussion and consideration, we’ve finally come up with a new product name for Dex: NetworkHippo.
Why NetworkHippo?
First, it was important to us to incorporate the idea of “networks” in the name of the product. The ability to manage your network and realize opportunities to “monetize” that network is really the core of our product. Many other products in this segment focus on “CRM”, but we really think this is a dying term that is too constrictive and falls short of the real need / opportunity.
And hippos are awesome. They’re big. They’re powerful. Considering their size, they’re extremely versatile and equally at home in the water and land. They’re prominent – they stand out in a crowd. They’re popular among other jungle animals, and they’re smart – but not in the “I take my self too serious” way like monkeys.
Oh yeah, and they swim with crocodiles(!).
We think that this name really represents a “breath of fresh air” in a pretty stuffy segment.
We’re really excited about the new name and the many new features we’ve been working on for our “version 1″ launch in a couple of weeks. After lots of great feedback, and dozens of targeted usability tests, we’ve made some considerable improvements that I think you’ll love.
What do you think?
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February 16th, 2009 by Scott Annan
Almost everyone I know is on Facebook. Most of the people I work with or have worked with are on Linkedin. And I get weekly emails from a dozen other social networking sites.
So it seems to me that a lot of people are actively networking.
And still many people I talk to think that the word “networking” is a dirty term that conjures up car salesmen and business card collectors – Glengarry Glenross types with the “always be closing” attitude.
I think that its an old world view and that we all need to realize that individual professionals in all industries – and all companies – are permanent networkers:
- Networking is a core aspect of career growth
There are four core elements that shape everyone’s career advancement: Formal training (ability to do the job), experience, luck, and who you know.
- Networking = your professional relationships
Your professional network includes everyone that you work with and that you’ve developed a relationship with – it’s not just people you meet at conferences and business lunches.
- We are all free agents… or should be
Still banking on that long-term pension? Confident that you’re company is going to protect your job when things get tight? One of my favorite business books is Die Broke where a great case is made for working as a free agent and treating your career as a business. We should all be constantly looking for “better opportunities” (and employment studies show this is becoming the norm). I have been talking to a lot of people about personal branding and I think it’s gaining a lot of traction in today’s economic climate.
- Consumers want to work with companies who care
If you haven’t heard of Zappos, you should google them and read about their fantastic customer service. Open, honest relationships are at the core of great customer service. Today too many companies are faking this with call centers using fancy CRM systems or by sending “personalized” emails by putting my name in the introduction. But today’s companies need to “network” with their clients and prospects with a genuine effort to build an appropriate business – consumer relationship to keep clients and gain credibility.
- The web is a major influence on us all – we are “net” “workers”
For non-material services, the web and email has become the primary source for marketing, communication, and brand development. Successful individuals and companies have embraced the web.
I think that it’s time to get past the negative connotations associated with “networkers” and realize that it is who we are as social animals and plays a major role in our success in business.
What do you think? Do you agree?
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