Posted by Gregg at 10:33 AM in Emerging Technology DEC tried it in the 80's, SixDegrees almost had it right in the 90's and now there's a slew of new companies in the social networking space. As a recruiter networking and networks are the life blood of my business so there's no one that would like to see these businesses succeed more than I would. But there's a problem - networking is social but text based communication is not, with the possible exception of IM. The foundations of "networking" are trust and relationship - very difficult bonds to establish. I believe these online social networks need to build bridges to the off line world to be successful. Linked In and Always On seem to exist only on online - most people I know have signed up but few use them. In contrast, VisiblePath, leverages technology to make connections between people by visualizing paths to contacts but enables them connect off line. It's nice that Jim knows Mary but if he's a schmuck there's no way I'm introducing him to John - using online social networks I'll never know. Our business relationships are among our most valuable assets and potentially most fleeting. To achieve success social networks must enhance our real world relationships not replace them.

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