Networking Trainers, Gurus and Coaches

Networking has been around for a long time and people are at different levels in the learning process. Some are just beginning, some just need a few tips, others have been doing it for a while and need a fresh look, while others have been doing it for many years and have lots to share.

This is where trainers, gurus and coaches come in. They can help mentor and train up other networkers or simply create a spark or introduce something new to other seasoned networkers. Below I have listed some people with this gift. This is by no means a complete list.

If you know a trainer, guru or coach you would like to recommend, that would help people learn to network please let me know at chrisw_88@hotmail.com

The following are people I personally get my training and spark from:

FEATURED PEOPLE:

• Mark Freeman has a strong networking presense in Dallas Texas and a passion for networking. You can check out is Wiki at MyLinkWiki. The DallasBlue Business Network is a powerful network containing the best of the best in Texas. You can check out the
  DallasBlue Executive LinkedIn Group to connect with Mark and others power networkers from Texas
  
  
• Vincent Wright has a passion for everything he does personally and professionally. From first meeting him on MyLinkedInPowerForum I was in awe of his passion for helping others, to paying it forward, to building people up.
  
  This is why I recommend strongly that you check out MyLinkedInPowerForum along with LinkedIn Venture Capital and even more strongly that you connect with him. Your life will never be the same.
  
• Dan Williams is a networking guru, he travels the world helping people network better. Please check out his The Networking Community
  


• Ray Van den Bel coachs people in communication styles,
  profiling and networking using web 2.0 tools. He just wrote a new 2-day
  course. It is about communication styles which lead to effective
  profiling and networking on the net. I highly recommend checking out his blog at http://newnetworking.blogspot.com/
  
  For more information please contact Ray at vandenbel@gmail.com
  
• John MacKinnon trains professionals in sales and business development roles to improve their selling and client relationship management skills. Please check out his website for more details at http://www.mackinnongroup.ca/splash.asp
  

Networking Tools

Building a network can take a long time, that is why it is important to optimize it where you can through the use of various tools. Some tools will be as simple as Postal Code/Zip Code lookup tools, while others such as Personal Brain are meant to help you keep track of your thoughts.

If you have tool you would like to recommend, that would help people network more efficiently, please let me know at chrisw_88@hotmail.com

The following are tools to help your create and develop your network more efficiently:

FEATURED TOOLS:

• Social Networking Resource List - This is a list of social networking resources on FunkyList.com. Check it out and create your own lists for whatever topic interests you.


• Web 2.0 Directory - This site was recommended to me by a colleague and its awesome.


• Social Network Lexicon - This site has definitions for various terms related to Social Networking

RECOMMENDED TOOLS:

Name Generation Tools

• hrca website

Online Lookup Tools

• Zip Code and Area Code Lookups


• US Map With World Time Zones


• Country Code Lookup
  

Blogging Tools

• blogger.com


• feedblitz
  

Search Engines

• Multi Domain Google Search


• IceRocket Search Tool



Event Planner Tools



• eVite - Online Event Inviter Tool



Social Networking Efficiency Tools




• LinkedIn Lion Tools
  These are tools specifically for LinkedIn Lions. To become a LinkedIn Lion go to LinkedIn Lions

Network Organization/Analysis Tools



• http://www.mindjet.com/us/


• http://www.orgnet.com/inflow3.html


• http://www.huminity.com/


• http://www.thebrain.com

LinkedIn Specific Tools

• LinkedIn Contact Manager (Bottom Right Corner of the Page)

Website Statistical Tools

• StatCounter - Free Website Statistics Tool

Document Creation/Conversion Tools

• PDF Generation Tool

Insert Tool Here - Now its up to you. Do you have any tools for me to add? If so, email them to me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will add them to this posting. Let's help each other make good use of tools so we can help each other succeed in networking.

Online Networking Websites

Online networking websites, such as LinkedIn, SoFlow and many others can be great sources of meeting new people with similar interests. I recommend joining general purpose social networking sites such as LinkedIn as well as others that meet your specific network needs.

If you have an online networking website you would like to recommend, that would help people learn to network please let me know at

The following are online networking groups to help your create and develop your network:

FEATURED ONLINE NETWORKING WEBSITES:

• Squidoo OneNetworking, - Anita Cohen-Williams has an extensive link of social networking sites, I recommend you check it out.


• Wallop - This site is the new kid on the block but it looks fabulous. Being a .NET Developer, I am very excited about this site. Look for an article to come soon.


• MommyBuzz - This site caters to moms who wish to social network with other moms.


• BakeSpace - This site caters to chefs wanting to social network with other chefs to share recipes and tips. You don't have to be a professional chef to join


• LinkedIn With over 6 million users this site is bound to have people that are from your country or have your interests. If you would like to join my network simply send me request at chrisw_88@hotmail.com. I am open to helping others with their networking needs.


• Open Networkers Collective X Group To join this group you need to first check out the open networkers group.
  
• Social Networking Portal Collecive X Group This group requires an invitation. Simply email me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will invite you.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE NETWORKING WEBSITES:

Coaching Communities

• Coachville Community The world's largest hub for life, business and executive coaches. They provide resources and training for the world's best coaches.

Business Networks

• amodus - Strategic Networking an international community of business leaders, innovators, academics, artists, writers, journalists and politicos.


• Build Your Networks - Jon Williamson's open networking website.


• Circle Of Experts Nitron Advisors' Circle of Experts works to connect senior industry experts with premier professional investors.


• CustomUnity Social Networking Website but also Scalable Platform.


• DealMap - Expose your services and search for others providing a service you need.


• ecademy - Main Site


• Epoch Strategic Ventures


• eWomenNetwork The number one resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses.


• FastPitch Networking


• go BIG network


• iKarma
  
• Jambo Networks


• InfoWorld IT Exec-Connect The latest to online networking site. This one is a little different than linkedin in that it seems more interactive and is focused specifically on IT.
  To find me on here look for fastcpu88.
  


• Linked In - With over 5 million users, you have a large chance of finding some people you are looking for.


• openbc


• Orkut


• Plaxo - Keep your address book synchronized and accessable


• ryze.com


• SoFlow


• Viaduc - French Language Networking Site


• VShake


• ziggs.com
  

Spiritual Networks

• Churchster


• Missionster

Friends Networks

• Friendster


• EveryonesConnected


• hi5


• imeem - (NEED TO DOWNLOAD) Uses .NET Framework

Insert Online Networking Website Here - Now its up to you. Do you have any online networking groups for me to add? If so, email them to me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will add them to this posting Let's help each other make good use of online networking websites so we can help each other succeed in networking.

Entrepeneurs and Venture Capitalist Links

Entrepeneurs and venture captialists have a great need to network. If you have a link that would be useful for these groups of networkers that you would like to recommend, please let me know at chrisw_88@hotmail.com

The following are links to help entrepeneurs and venture capitalists create and develop your network:

FEATURED LINKS:

Only two out of a hundred new venture business plans written with the objective of raising seed finance succeed in doing so. Yet all investors, from business angels to large-scale investment houses report a shortage of worthwhile projects. The reason for this perceived paradox is that entrepreneurs fail to create a compelling presentation to potential investors. ClearStartup is a special programme, created for people that want to develop a compelling business opportunity into a fundable wealth-creating and sustainable business. It will prepare you to cover the aspects required to prepare a business model and business plan and create a compelling presentation that will get the attention of professional investors. Their objective is to foster your entrepreneurial culture and where possible to contribute to the success of your venture.

RECOMMENDED LINKS

• ClearStartup


• My 1st Business - (Paid site but also free resources)

LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups can be a good way of expanding your network without having to invite a large number of people directly to your node. If you have a LinkedIn Group you would like to recommend, please let me know at chrisw_88@hotmail.com

The following are LinkedIn Groups to help your create and develop your network:

FEATURED LINKEDIN GROUPS:

Being a Canadian, I have to feature these groups.

• LinkedIn Ontario


• LinkedIn Canada


• Friends Of Quebec
  
• SQL Server Expert

Forbes magazine recently created a cross-promotion with LinkedIn creating
as series of groups on the LinkedIn website. You can access them at:
http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=promo_forbes


RECOMMENDED LINKEDIN GROUPS

Below I have listed a set of LinkedIn Groups I personally belong to. This is by no means a definitive list.

• Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance)


• LinkedIn Ontario


• LinkedIn Canada


• MyLinkedin Power Forum


• LinkedIn Chicago


• LinkedIn Contact Manager


• LinkedIn Interims


• Linkedin TNC Direct Connect


• DallasBlue


• Dallas Professionals


• Forbes - New York


• Forbes - San Francisco


• Forbes - Entrepreneurs


• Forbes - Personal Technology


• Forbes - Life


• Antal International


• RFID Tribe LinkedIn Group - You must be a member of the RFID Tribe to join. Check out the RFID Tribe at http://www.rfidtribe.com/


• Insert LinkedIn Group Here - Now its up to you. Do you have a LinkedIn Group for me to add? If so, email them to me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will add them to this posting Let's help each other make good use of LinkedIn Groups so we can help each other succeed in networking.

LinkedIn Links

With the LinkedIn website changing it seems almost daily it is really hard
to find some of your favorite places. Vincent Wright has supplied a link that
you may find quite useful, a
LinkedIn Sitemap

Insert LinkedIn Link Here - Now its up to you. Do you have any useful LinkedIn Links for me to add? If so, email them to me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will add them to this posting. Let's help each other make good use of linkedin so we can help each other succeed in networking.

Online Networking Groups

Online networking groups can be a good source of meeting new people with similar interests. I recommend joining some of the groups such as MyLinkedIn Power Forum (Yahoo Group) to meet others who are starting out in networking. If you have an online networking group you would like to recommend, that would help people learn to network please let me know at

The following are online networking groups to help your create and develop your network:

FEATURED ONLINE NETWORKING GROUPS:

• For those who love recipes, I came across this Online Networking tool that allows
  people to share recipes, get introduced to other chefs. You can check it out at
  bakespace.com
  
• Diana Lindstrom, based in Arvada, Colorado, and I've been involved with LinkedIn for about 2 years. She runs an Online Networking Group for Project Managers who are on LinkedIn. If you are a project manager, I highly recommend checking it out at: http://www.sdbpluspm.com
  
• Kevin Banks recently introduced me to his networking groups on http://www.yorz.com. There is a wide variety of groups here that will match your profession. This will help you network with others and build each others skills up.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE NETWORKING GROUPS

Below I have listed a set of online groups I personally belong to. This is by no means a definitive list. I recommend looking at The MyLinkWiki LinkedIn Groups List. It lists a large number of groups that may be suited to your networking goals.

• MyLinkedin Power Forum


• LinkedIn Lions - Also known as the 500+ club


• open networkers group - This Open Network group is for people who want to be invited to networks on LinkedIn, OpenBC, Ryze, Ecademy etc.


• ConnectorNET.com - Weaving a web of social connectors using the Internet


• LinkedIn VCs


• cool tech club - Specifically Silicon Valley Developers


• Dallas Blue - The best of the best Dallas, Texas Networkers


• Dallas Professionals


• Early Stage Entrepreneurs


• HR Nation


• Boston Recruiters


• Calgary Alberta Canada Immigrants


• IT In Calgary


• Matters Of Plaxo


• LinkedIn Business Schools


• Startup Play - Startup Club in the Bay Area


• Yahoo Groups - There are literally hundreds of LinkedIn related groups on yahoo. If you do a search you will find the ones that best fit your needs. I have listed just a few of them above. For a full list you will need to check out Yahoo Groups yourself.

Insert Online Networking Group Here - Now its up to you. Do you have any online networking groups for me to add? If so, email them to me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com and I will add them to this posting Let's help each other make good use of online networking groups so we can help each other succeed in networking.