The Big Power of Small Favours
By Rob Duncan
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 1

Key Messages
Reach out!
Go big!
Give it away!
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 2

Networking is not new!
 Why we network
 Strength of weak ties
 Enabling technologies
 Reed’s 3rd law
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 3

Why collaboration matters
 Harvard study
 Social media is changing business
 Lines are blurring
 The customer is on your management team
 And your competitor’s!
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 4

Online Social Networks
 The usual suspects:
 Facebook
 Twitter
 LinkedIn
 Be where your public is!
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 5

Facebook
 “Real relationships”:
 Personal life
 Friends
 Friends of friends
 Family
 Life outside the suit
 Interests
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 6

Facebook: Fan pages & Groups
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 7

Twitter
 “Broadcast news”:
 Promote self, blog etc.
 Branding
 Live blogging events
 Interests
 Activities
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 8

LinkedIn
 “Valuable connections”:
 Prospecting
 Weak ties
 Small favours
 Large networks
 Groups = tribes
 Q&A
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 9

A deeper dive into LinkedIn
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 10

Be a good LinkedIn citizen
 Full profile with photo
 Build your network – add
connections
 Ask & answer questions
 Give and seek
recommendations
 Update status frequently
 Join groups and participate
in discussions
 Help others: “what’s in it
for them?”
 Be a giver not a taker
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 11

The Power of Connections
Crucial decision: stay
small or go big?
Small networks can keep
it intimate & local, but…
Big networks exponentially
increase your reach
Your entire network will
see your status,
questions, answers
TIP: Click on “OpenLink
enabled” to announce your
willingness to connect
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 12

The Power of Q&A
Ask strategic
questions
Answer questions
generously
Put a Weblink in your
answers
Earn expertise rewards
& build reputation
TIP: Visit Q&A daily
and answer as many
questions as you can
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 13

The Power of Recommending
Recognize someone you
respect
Don’t be shy: request
recommendations
Put all past employers in
your profile and seek
recommendations for
each one
TIP: Don’t “drown” your
profile in
recommendations – 5-10
good ones is plenty
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 14

Getting the Most out of LinkedIn
 Put everything in your profile
 Increase your network size
 Join LinkedIn Groups
 Ask and answer questions strategically
 Give more than you get
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 15

The Big Power of Small Favours
 Help 50 people with:
 Answers
 Recommendations
 Expert suggestions
 Leads
 Introductions
 When you need help, 50 people will be there for you
 Give generously; the “getting” flows indirectly from
your investment in others
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 16

Key Messages
Reach out!
Go big!
Give it away!
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 17

Thank You!
Any questions?
Contact me at:
greatcapes@gmail.com
Connect with me on
LinkedIn!
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 18