LinkedIn: Connecting to Super-connectors and the Value of the Network

I don't consider myself a "super-connector" though I am in the top 80 60 on LinkedIn, and I think my network is as diverse as the "next guy".

I just got an email from a new connection, and he says this:

"I think this sums up being linked in to you:
1,044,533 new people in your network since your last login
Hahahha... that's AWESOME!"

Now, I don't know this guy well, but we did share some plesantries via email. Certainly I will accommodate his pertinent requests to "the network" as I see fit. But what an awesome feeling it must be to a newbie to be able to reach and search a million additional people who might actually be looking for candidates, or looking for partners, or looking to reconnect with former colleagues.

My investment in his quest into the network will be minor, perhaps a few requests forwarded. I'm sure his perception of the value of the network accessible through me is *much* greater than my value of having *him* as a connection.

I think there may be too much focus on the value of the relationship between two people (for which LinkedIn is not needed, by the way) in establishing connections. People do connect for different reasons, some more promiscuously than others, and for that I am grateful. Almost half of my network is in "the fourth degree", and I reached out to one of those in my fourth degree for a business opportunity today. Had I limited my personal network to my 30 or 40 closest contacts, I would *never* have access to the full potential value of the network.

As I've said in my "free report" (shameless plug), available for download in the files section of MyLinkedInPowerForum (see MLPF message 2400), people can fly to and from any two points in the U.S. *because* of the existence and availability of hubs, not because particular providers on the legs of the trip provide pillows and mimosas...

I hope that LinkedIn doesn't change the service too much going forward. I'm a firm believer in paying for value-added services, but the services should actually *add* value, not subtract functionality or network accessibility.

Joe Bartling
https://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=62910
Invitation-only email: LinkToJoe[at]gmail.com
{Note this is not my "regular" email account - I *never* check it. It
works for LinkedIn invitations ONLY.}

On-line Charity Auction of Phish-related Items for the Visually Impaired

From the Delta Gamma Center, one of the organizations I support which helps blind and visually impaired kids:

We are pleased to inform you that the Mimi Fishman Foundation is hosting an on-line charity auction that will benefit the Delta Gamma Center for Children who are Visually Impaired. The Foundation is a generous supporter of our Center. We hope that you will join their efforts by participating in this auction. It began July 15 and ends July 25.

The auction features a healthy dose of Phish related items as well as various other jamband signed items and festival packages. One of the more interesting items is a “War of the Worlds” poster signed by Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning.

To view and/or bid on the auction, please visit the Mimi Fishman Foundation Page at
http://www.gratefulweb.net/auctions/mimifishman/

The Mimi Fishman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1999 by Miriam “Mimi” Fishman (the late mother of Phish drummer Jon Fishman) and David Shulman as a vehicle to raise funds for various charities, including the Delta Gamma Center. Mimi Fishman had glaucoma and was a huge believer of helping out organizations that provided assistance to the visually impaired, especially those charities that focus on children.

Please donate and bid generously, so that others might see!