John's comments

It absolutely is good idea for intros who haven't been introduced to the enneagram. I learned some very useful things about myself at one of your earlier sessions; and I'm speaking as one who has a strong social science background and have used a number of personality assessment tools.

And, after that, where's the small potluck in a quiet, cozy venue for us, the In-Biz?

OK, Rachel,

When are you and Leila, who started an earlier, related conversation, going to organize events geared for us, the Intros of Biznik (the In-Biz).

The rest of us are too shy ;-)

Noreen,

I'm sorry to have to drop out. I'm being slammed by work on a major class action lawsuit on a short time frame. While you're sharing your knowledge, I'll be making phone calls from a long list and interviewing people. Your event will be more fun but the work pays better.

I hope you do this one again.

John

Rachel,

You nailed it for me when you said "I think it's more about the level of connection you need from the people you interact with and less about the number, per se".

A large, noisy, networking crowd in a feeding frenzy is not a comfortable place to try to really connect, to have a real conversation.

Too much noise. Too hard to hear. Too many people trying to meet too many people. Too much movement. Too superficial. Too difficult for two to talk.

Overload! Overload! I gotta get out of here!

Whew! I feel better now.

Rachel,

As a dyed-in-the-wool intro who sometimes acts like an extro, I think your advice is sound and I intend to put your ideas to work for me.

I'm going to try your second suggestion to deal with the way I end up feeling at large social events. I'm going to use your first and fourth ideas more than I have already.

I usually get plenty of solitude; the remodel has cut into my solitude at home. I do need to get out more just for solitude in the outdoors, the source of the greatest and best energy for me.

Thanks Rachel.

John

Thanks for doing this Noreen.

I meditate daily to manage stress and control (successfully) a marginal blood pressure issue without meds. I'm looking for some additional tools to vary my routine.

Brian,

I've had to cancel due to a hot new case with a short time to trial. I understand That you keep the $$, as is only fair. If you are inclined to do this one again, I'll try to make it.

Have fun.

John

From a guy who grew up on The Lone Ranger, Gene Autrey, Roy Rogers and others...straight words and well said. Teach children these simple truths and maybe they'll remember them when they grow up.

Thanks for the first rational thoughts of the day.

I've never had an unsolicited commercial call from a Biznik. I have been put on newsletter mailing lists without my permission. Such contacts are spam, as far as I'm concerned. I have never made a purchase from such a source and never will.

Now, if there was a way to opt out of political spam by phone.

This man knows what he is talking about. Anyone who hires needs to pay attention.

Howard's question..."Is your "public network" like a closet, a file cabinet, your high school yearbook, your business associates, your vendors, your clients, your personal contact database, or what?"

My answer...All of the above, plus.

Assuming you have some sort of logical (?) process by which you invite connections and by which you accept invitations, why would you want to risk bad feelings by cutting someone loose, just because the connection hasn't paid off in some substantial way?

One never knows what connection might develop into something more substantial than a place on a list.

Bad choices can be kicked off your list, with cause.

The list is effortless to keep.

It would be useful to have ways to sort our lists and to do mass (non-spam) messages based on our own criteria, just like in an email application.

I am and I am. I was wondering when this thing would get going again; but I was too shy to say anything ;-)

Barry,

You are correct. A profile is just an image put out there to create an impression that might vary to a greater or lesser extent from "reality" or absolute truth. But, then, this is only normal human behavior.

All human beings cloak themselves in some combination of truth and conscious/unconscious camouflage to present the image they want to project in the world. Generally speaking, the healthiest people are the ones whose projected images are most closely congruent with their true selves.

Actually meeting someone and engaging in conversation allows for testing impressions. More in-depth engagement equals more opportunity to get to know the real person behind the profile.

My real issue in this thread has to do with a member offering criticism from deep cover. Whatever the truth of the profile/image, it feels a bit disingenuous to offer criticism, however truthful, valuable and well meaning, from a hunting blind. It's not polite. It's not sporting.

A minor irritation...The exclamation point "You've got mail" indicator seems to be stuck on. It keeps coming back, even after shutting down, rebooting and reopening Firefox on my Powerbook.

Who are you ....really? You haven't posted your profile or your photo and we know nothing about you. You obviously like to mix it up; so do I ;-)

Biznik is a community. Please join it in a manner that is a bit more transparent. It's very difficult to deal with "members" who don't identify themselves.

Welcome to Biznik Josh,

Could you tell us what you sell and how you sell it. Your website is deficient in the information necessary to decide whether or not to do business with you. The form you use to allow us to ask for more information doesn't work so I'm asking you directly. Is EFS a network marketing or multi-level marketing company?

Best wishes,

John

Bob and Judy,

Add my name to the list of folks really impressed by this event (FRIBTE's). The very best people, food (dessert, uhhhn!), venue, hosts...and a crazy road trip to boot.

After this one, I will be hard to please. The bar has been raised.

John

An event a short walk from my home? Thanks Debbie for sponsoring this. See you there.

John

Frank,

It's great in terms of business education, effects on my website and thence new clients, services hired and new friendships. Another powerful benefit for me is the energy I get from associating with a crowd of younger, motivated and talented people.

You and I might be the only Prep alumni in Biznik. Let's see if anyone rises to that bait.

John

Welcome to Biznik, Frank, from another Prep and SU grad (63 and 68). I look forward to meeting you at a Biznik event soon.

John

After my posting, I read Valerie's. I do think that people should post their material. Who can predict what might end up being very useful to the members?

However, I think that there are at least two perspectives to consider, that of the writer and that of the reader. And the reader perspective can be broken down further into those who read and are moved to respond and the rest.

There are lessons for all of us in this conversation. This is not the first time this discussion has occurred on this site.

I know I'm going to pi** off someone; however, to be entirely truthful, I seldom read articles and tips on this site. My primary reason is a lack of time, compounded by too many threads like you describe and too much unoriginal material.

Controversy is good if constructive discussion arises from the differing opinions expressed.

I'm all for old ideas presented in new ways; sometimes they click for me when presented in new frames. I'm sure it works the same for others.

I've read some good material that has been helpful for me. What works for me might not work for others and vice versa.

When the articles and tips began, I read them all. As the volume of material increased and I began to encounter postings that turned me off, work became more important than keeping up. At first I scanned for interesting titles; then I had to quit. I'm sure I'm missing some good ideas.

Welcome to Biznik, Sue.

Our daughter is married to a Brit and they and our three grandsons live in Tunbridge Wells. We visit there once or twice a year and love it.

All the best to you in the US and in Biznik.

John

I like it too. Dan, are you listening?

Leila,

For what it's worth, I think that part of the problem derives from changes in the country's dominant culture. From my personal perspective, I've seen basic changes in our culture regarding standards of etiquette. This isn't peculiar to Biznik; but, it might be related to age and what period in our history you grew up in. I'll bet some sociology or anthropology grad student has done a study.

There are no solutions to a lack of care from those who don't have a high enough regard for others to practice basic etiquette, if they even have the education to understand to begin with; but...

Are there ways to make it easier to RSVP? How about presenters (voluntarily) posting a phone number? A phone call might be easier than an email through Biznik when on the run in response to a last minute emergency. Again, this is no solution; but, it might help a bit.

I like Brian's idea of a punitive consequence in your ranking on the site for chronic no-shows. The key word in the last sentence is "chronic". Such an action would have to be applied carefully and consistently and after plenty of warning.