Six Degrees of Separation

One of the most amazing things about the Internet age is how connected we all are. If you have kids, and even if you don’t, you know about My Space and Face Book, the popular social networking sites that link people together according to their interests. But recently I got hooked up on Linked In. This is Face Book for grown ups—not so much social networking and more professional networking. So give it a try at www.linkedin.com. It’s fun because it will search your old alma mater, your old employer, and even your Outlook database for worthy networking candidates.

Aside from the media attention about sexual predators and the like, the power of these sites is the speed and breadth of the connections they create. Recently, my son got his first music gig at a local café. In a crafty new age marketing scheme, the owner gives the boys in the band a percentage of every ticket they sell. He’s no dumby. Now the boys are only 15 and 16 years old and very excited to be playing in a public venue. So, how do they get the word out? Face Book, of course. In less time than it takes me to write this blog, my son has sold 71 tickets to the show and everyone is ecstatic. So, if you’re not connected, you better get with the program.