Today is a perfect example of how social networking should work. There are engaging conversations going on at Twitter, linkups being made on LinkedIn, Facebook is all abuzz with talk of the weekend and projects and all of this is going on between people that until last night knew each other only by screen name and avatar.
A quick background:
For those that missed it, last night was the world release party for The Organizational Champion, a book and movement started by Mike Thompson of SVI. To date, the book, site, and movement have been marketed through social media networks to quite an impact, thanks in part to Murray Williams (@MurDog), communications director of SVI. I came to know Murray via mutual friend on Twitter and quickly became wrapped up in the pre-release blog, podcast, and twitter chats. Through these mediums I also came to know Mike and a host of others that have contributed to the Champions movement, all in 140 characters or less. You can click on the image above to see my pictures from the even.
Last night we all met and let me tell you, the energy in the room was amazing. I have to tell you that the meetings and introductions were a bit clumsy on my part because I already (kind of) knew the people I was introducing myself to… sort of. We expanded conversations beyond the 140 mark on several occasions and learned a lot about each other and our respective lives, dare I say “IRL”. Rockfish was a phenomenal host and a good time was had by all, but back to the point of all this, the proper function of social networking.
Social networking brought this varied and dynamic group of people together and even expanded the group in public, in person thus growing the social networks of all, as early as this morning. I think that some people forget that, in most cases, there is a person on the other end of a Tweet. Closing the laptop and stepping out into the world for social events like this, tweet-ups, and Social Media Club meetings puts the social back in social networking.
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