Bruce A HayesProject Manager, Scrum Master, Product Owner, and freelance Trainer.| Available to partner with you. Let's review your needs to see if we are
a match.Fort Wayne, IN, United States
How selective are you when someone requests to be included in your network? too often I see people without a profile nor much activity on there but they have very large networks. I tend to ignore these requests fearing they'll figure out a way to send me SPAM. What are your standards for accepting a request? How do you decide to whom you will submit a request? Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Beyond the few phishers, i do get the occasional reply to my connection request, asking why I am reaching out to them?
Like Maria, I politely explain that I value each connection.
Bruce's comment reminds me of a suggestion I made in a different discussion thread. If you can't start a blog until you have reached a certain influence level, why can't you be disallowed making and receiving network request until your profile has been completed?
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2 replies by Anupam and Rami Kaibni
Nov 01, 2016 7:32 AM
Anupam
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That's true.
Initially when I started someone asked me to put profile pic to be part of the network :)
Nov 01, 2016 11:53 AM
Rami Kaibni
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This is a very valid point and I also raised this issue before as well.
Beyond the few phishers, i do get the occasional reply to my connection request, asking why I am reaching out to them?
Like Maria, I politely explain that I value each connection.
Bruce's comment reminds me of a suggestion I made in a different discussion thread. If you can't start a blog until you have reached a certain influence level, why can't you be disallowed making and receiving network request until your profile has been completed?
That's true.
Initially when I started someone asked me to put profile pic to be part of the network :) Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Well, it is called 'Profile' for a reason. And, I completely agree on requiring the basics to reap any benefits.
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1 reply by Anupam
Nov 01, 2016 12:20 PM
Anupam
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You are correct Andrew.
I get connection requests without profile pic, yet i accept :)
Saving Changes...
AKSHAY JAINPlanning Group Leader| YOKOGAWA, BahrainGwalior, Mp, India
Yes your question is very logical but as per this site your level of influence will also depend on size of your network so I accept all request and don't think there is anything on this site to send SPAM. By this site we are connected with people of same profession across globe and I have seen many discussions are quite healthy though it is nothing to do with your own network. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Nov 01, 2016 7:22 AM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
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Beyond the few phishers, i do get the occasional reply to my connection request, asking why I am reaching out to them?
Like Maria, I politely explain that I value each connection.
Bruce's comment reminds me of a suggestion I made in a different discussion thread. If you can't start a blog until you have reached a certain influence level, why can't you be disallowed making and receiving network request until your profile has been completed?
This is a very valid point and I also raised this issue before as well. Saving Changes...
Hi Bruce. I personally am attempting to widen my network outside my area. I may never meet most of my connections here; but I have been fortunate to have conversations with Maria, Rami, Samuel, George, Stéphane, and Anupam. All who are from different parts of the world. I would have never met them had I not been open. They have provided interesting views on different questions posed here. Some have even presented webinars which I may not have considered had I not made a connection with them and learned more about them. This website is not LinkedIN and definitely NOT Facebook. Most of the people here are project management focused and are attempting to improve the craft as well as themselves. They are inspiring and I am enjoying my journey here. I hope you will have the same experience.
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1 reply by Anupam
Nov 01, 2016 11:34 PM
Anupam
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Thanks so much Demetrius for those kind words. Your feedback is important to me.
Hi Bruce. I personally am attempting to widen my network outside my area. I may never meet most of my connections here; but I have been fortunate to have conversations with Maria, Rami, Samuel, George, Stéphane, and Anupam. All who are from different parts of the world. I would have never met them had I not been open. They have provided interesting views on different questions posed here. Some have even presented webinars which I may not have considered had I not made a connection with them and learned more about them. This website is not LinkedIN and definitely NOT Facebook. Most of the people here are project management focused and are attempting to improve the craft as well as themselves. They are inspiring and I am enjoying my journey here. I hope you will have the same experience.
Thanks so much Demetrius for those kind words. Your feedback is important to me. Saving Changes...
Richard HowProgramme Management Consultant| How Associates LtdHarthill, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom
I have a large network and I have been a member for a long time but fairly inactive over the last few years for multiple reasons. Not least of which is a bungalow renovation project. I accept all network requests as when I have a chance I like to share my knowledge and learn things from others Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
To answer Bruce’s original questions, before I accept a request I look at the sender’s profile; I like to know with whom I’m connecting, and determine how we might help one another. I might also try to find the person on Linkedin if they haven’t filled out their profile bio. After connecting, I send a message to the individual to introduce myself.
I generally never send a connection request as my initial contact with someone. If I come across an interesting profile (of someone working in a particular industry or on a fascinating project) and I want to know more I’ll send a message. If a dialogue ensues and I decide I want to keep in contact with the individual, I’ll then send a connection request.
I’ve learned a lot from this post, especially about the need to view modern-day networking in a new way.
Just a few decades ago having a ‘connection’ assumed that you actually communicated with another person in some way – face to face, phone or letter. Nowadays, people have thousands of ‘connections’ with people with whom they’ve never communicated. This seemed to me a lazy substitute for the work it takes to build a real connection with someone, as if getting thousands of people to click an ‘Accept’ button will magically make something happen. Though some people probably believe this, I see now there could be other strategies at work. As a result, I’ve decided to accept all incoming requests, and to proceed in the manner I described above to get value out of my network. Saving Changes...
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