Just yesterday I had an audition for a cruise ship singer. The way I found out about the audition was through Talent Cast. (Career development and job website for the UK performing arts industry). I also got an email from Singerspro to apply for an audition. From there, I was speaking on Facebook to a friend who was currently with the cruise line about what they like/dislike, good song choices, image etc. I then, whilst at the audition added one girl I met on Twitter because we had a lot of common interests, and it's always good to keep connected to people who are going through a similar process.
That to me was a normal day, however looking back, it is interesting to see just how many different tools I used to connect me within my performing career.
Last week I decided to set up a doodlepoll to ask my friends, colleagues, ex Liverpool Theatre School students etc, on what they used in this day in age and help assist my blog when researching current networks. The results didn't particularly surprise me.
I asked 20 people in total 5 different questions. Some of the questions had answers to select, but there was also the ability for each individual to write their own comments.
17 people selected they used email as their main way of networking. 4 people in the comments were a little more specific. An ex colleague typed that she has a hotmail account for personal use but uses gmail syced to her computer and tablet for work. She is based within an IT company and spends a lot of her time working from home connecting to people from her own computer.
Two other people typed "gmail". I had never used gmail until I got my samsung phone. It requests you to sign up, however I barely use it other than for this blog/signing in to YouTube.
The comment that interested me most was that a friend of mine clicked email, however then elaborated in the comments. She stated that she barely sends or receives emails or even checks her inbox regarding her work/performing/auditions etc. She stated when she signed up to facebook, twitter, instagram and any internet shopping style website, she HAD to use her email address. So whilst she doesn't directly use emails a lot, she has to have it to use any other website.
Another question I asked within the doodlepoll was "What would your ideal network look like and why?"
Most people clicked that they were happy to use separate sites for separate purposes. One girl wrote "I would hate for my twitter and facebook to be connected. I use twitter for retweeting funny things, jokes, reposting vines, and commenting on TV programmes/films etc, and do this all without having my real name on show. The account is connect to my email address but I took the search off so even if people tried to find me based on my email, they couldn't. I use facebook and instagram connected, and do use these to connect with industry professionals, but twitter is a bit of fun for me".
Wheras another friend commented "I don't mind using all different websites, because most of them can all be connected in some way. You can share timehop on facebook and twitter, pinterest is also able to be shared on other websites, all these mainstream websites have the ability to create widgets (wikipedia - widgets) to use on blogs and websites, I don't really mind how I network at the minute at all".
Someone did say they wished facebook and twitter could be combined however to me, this doesn't make sense. 140 character status updates from twitter, along with facebook, the social networking site that enables you to put every life detail on if you wish, I don't think the two are similar, so don't see the point.
It's fairly straight forward to use different websites if you so wish. I don't know anyone without a smart phone anymore...Even my technophobe parents.
Nowadays, with computers/laptops, tablets, phones, you can access your networks anywhere. If every McDonalds and Starbucks has free wifi, and you have a smart phone, you can network near enough anywhere in the world.
I did put on the doodlepoll about face to face interaction, and all people selected it as a way they communicate, however no one mentioned it again in any of the comments, and I haven't in the above post.
The Huffington Post - Certain Things Are Better in Person - An interesting read on how face to face communication seems to be a lost art. He is talking from a business point of view but I feel it in everyday life. The amount of times I go out for a meal, with interesting people, yet find that all of us at some point are consumed by messaging someone else, or showing something we saw on our phone earlier that day. Has technology ruined our ability to communicate face to face?
My best friend Ted is a "traveller". I say that in quotes because he is currently a primary school teacher, but he spent last year in South America, he has lived in the UK, Australia, and will be flying in to Chile in July to continue travelling. I remember earlier this year he told me that in social situations, he vows not to check his phone. He turns it off, and doesn't check it again until he has left the persons company. Granted not every time, but I think it is a great way to live. (Here is a link to his blog Like A Backpacker)
This brings up many different questions. I got the above question Has technology ruined our ability to communicate face to face? from that link <
I would quote the article on here if I could, I urge you to read it. One key point - "You cannot fully realize the strength of that emotion through the click-clack of keys."
Considering the ethical concerns for networking in the workplace, a point I have mentioned before on my blog comes up again, internet safety. This doesn't just mean, don't let children see porn. For example, I currently work in a contact centre for a county council.
We have a system within the council for all staff members call Lync. It is similar to MSN/Windows Live messenger. You can instant message other colleagues and from there chat, use emoticons and have group conversations.
Recently a staff member was sacked after an investigation of Lync use proved her to be discriminatory regarding another staff member. In this instance, face to face interaction (with the other member of staff she was chatting too) would have saved her her job.
We are not allowed to use our phones in the office when on calls (sounds obvious, but people do try) and also not allowed to use the internet for purposes other than work, unless on a break.
Managing the Workplace Ethics of Social Media ..."as with all business topics, a company can successfully manage its own and its employees’ personal use of it by employing a common framework applied to most other ethics and compliance topics, albeit with some modifications specific to social media"
Our contracts have recently been changed in my company to ensure people know the consequences of misuse of company resources.
Whilst there a risks in every day life when networking and using social media, I think now in 2014, we are at an ok stage where companies, and websites are adapting everyday to make these websites and apps as safe, accessible and risk free as possible.
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