The membership of B4B is starting to grow now and it is a good time to think about what sort of site we want. I guess it depends on: What we want to put in

• What we want to get out and
• Our core values

I belong to other networking sites where there is a strong social element as well as the business side. Is that something that appeals to other members of B4B? I think that there is a role for business networks to support new and start up businesses, sometimes we can help others by sharing our experience. At least we can try to help others 'reinventing the wheel'.

How do you view networking? Sharing is a key part of how I view networking. I do not view networking as selling although I do try to indicate that I am in business and the kind of work that I do. In fact I would go so far as to say that I object to being ‘sold to' on a networking site, it is too direct for me. I view a business network as a forum to make contacts and develop relationships and to build my credibility as an ‘expert' in my own area of work. To that end I will post blogs and articles that I think are relevant and hopefully interesting to other members.

Then there is the issue of who we connect with. Do our network connections represent us to some extent? By connecting with someone aren't we saying this is someone I know and perhaps even trust? I might decline to connect with someone who is selling too overtly. What do other members think? What do you do about unwelcome approaches? Does it make you uncomfortable to decline a connection?

I would be really interested to hear everyone else's view. Please add your voice so that we can agree and disagree on what sort of networking site we are making.

Regards Mandy Webster, Data Protection Consulting

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