by John Darer CLU ChFC CSSC
I am amazed that I keep getting invitations to join my competitors' networks on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an online business social network of over 20 million professionals that allows you to find and be found by past and present colleagues and classmates quickly. You can discover inside connections when you’re looking for a job or new business opportunity or share information. It's the "inside connection" that I would like to discuss.
What my naive colleagues may not realize that adding a competitor isn't very smart. Would you show your competitor your client or contact list? You see, unless you apply the proper filter on LinkedIn your competitor can see all of your contacts ( some of whom may become targets for your competitor).
Before you add someone LinkedIn warns you:
- They’ll have access to people you know
- Others may ask you about them and vice versa
- You’ll get updates on their activity
Be careful who you let into your network.
So for those select colleagues in my industry who've extended an invitation (you know who you are) I still like you all, but if you're wondering why I haven't accepted your invitation now you know. For your own good I recommend that you learn from reading this and terminate the practice.
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