6 Myths about Informal Networks
This article mentioned a lot of myths and the realities of these myths. It brought forward an interesting point of view, but i disagree with some of the realities. The article said that people should be connected only when a strategic payoff is necessary. I think everyone should be connected, whether a payoff is necessary or not, because it improves efficiency and allows everyone access to all information about their company. It feeds into the myth that each employee knows everything about their company, which they dont. This will allow them to know more about their company.
Social Networking Analysis
Barry Wellman knows a lot about social networks. He does a great job of explaining what a social network is. He uses previous cases to explain the scientific facts about social networks. His article is mainly informative and really useful.
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Social Gaming is Taking Over
14 years ago
I like the idea of being connected when there is a payoff. Not that it has to be a huge payoff, but but even when you think about your friends, you're friends with them for a reason. Being connected to everyone would be completely overwhelming and without a reason to connect slightly unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Linsey. If there is no payoff for the connection, there is no reason to put in the effort to cultivate and maintain it.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried walking across campus with one of those people who seem to know everyone? A walk that may normally take 5 minutes suddenly takes 10, if not closer to 15 becaue they have to acknowledge everyone they know. You have to be SOMEWHAT selective in your connections, or else you'll never be able to get simple tasks done (like walking to class on time).
I agree with both Linsey and Hezzie. Their is no point to maintaining a connection to a person if you are not getting anything in return. The reason why people establish networks and connections in the first place is that they believe they can help someone or they can help them.
ReplyDeletei must say i disagree. You cannot always know when a connection with someone may payoff. I recently was on vacation and i happen to encounter someone who attended GWU. I mentioned some people who i knew from my home town that went there and he was best friends with all of them. He also happen to be a club promoter who worked with my old roommate. To say the least i had a great time with him and we formed a friendship because we knew a common person. While having a social connection with his friends who attended GWU had no payoff to me in the past, it certainly helped for cultivating a relationship with a new person.
ReplyDeleteWhat Jon is saying is like saying that you should buy every lotto ticket you can because you never know when you might find a winner. Sometimes ideally you would know everyone in the world but you have to cull it down to a reasonable scope so connections that have no apparent payoffs is simply the most logical thing to do.
ReplyDelete