Art of Networking
Ecademy: The New Era of Networking
The ins-and-outs of this valuable—and BNI endorsed—online networking tool.
By Hélder Falcão, National Director - BNI Portugal and Brazil

At last November's International Conference in Long Beach, CA, the breakout session "How to Grow your BNI Region Behind the Desk" was officially introduced to directors. Since then, dozens of directors have joined Ecademy—the premier online networking hub.

Networking has manifested itself in many forms. Most recently, email and instant messaging have become familiar tools to contact other businesses worldwide.

While face-to-face networking is still the most valuable type of networking, online networking tools are becoming more readily available and changing the face of networking.

BNI-Yahoo! Finance Group was created a few years ago to create a forum to discuss how to run good BNI meetings. It is shared by over 4000 BNI members worldwide. Now Ecademy—whose tagline is "Connecting Business People"—is BNI's official online networking partner. Founded in 1998, Ecademy is the world's premier "Trusted Business Network." It connects business people so they can share knowledge, contacts, trusted business introductions, support, and transactions.

Ecademy is growing fast worldwide. It offers subscribers much more than its competition, with a strong emphasis on blogging, doing deals, online and offline clubs and events, and job postings.

Unlike other online resources, Ecademy offers a tiered membership service to suit individual needs, providing individuals and businesses with: trusted business introductions; personal brand building; advertising and trading; job postings; contracts and business partnerships and opportunities; unique web tools; and, help and advice.

To enjoy the unrivalled functionality as well as online and offline benefits of Ecademy, subscribe to one of the following membership packages:

• Guest membership provides you with a presence within the Network;
• GreenStar subscription level is £25/$25/󌍉 a year for a basic membership that will help get members involved with the Ecademy community;
• PowerNetworking is ideal for active members who are serious about networking and advertising for a monthly fee of £10/$14.95/󌌾 or,
• BlackStar life membership in a secure environment with accelerated Networking, team building, personal development, intimacy and rapid trading.

Currently, there are over 400 BNI Members/Directors in the platform, and many more are joining every day. Because of BNI's special relationship with Ecademy, BNI's business clubs remain private. Club leaders have the power to approve BNI members. And meetings, forum discussions, and 1-2-1's are also protected within this private platform.

To investigate further, BNI Members and Directors can go to www.bni.ecademy.com.


Extend Your Networking World
How to use the Internet to develop a comprehensive network.
By Doug Wolfgram, CEO, PresenterNet

What skill do teenagers possess that entrepreneurs desperately need? Unquestionably, it's their online social networking expertise. BNI members might develop a similar affinity for online networking when they learn how it extends their business far beyond the local.

Interpersonal contacts are vital—and can be developed through participation in online forums. From online connections, we can generate resources and important referrals. For example, an online network recently introduced a Phoenix consultant to numerous Boston prospects. An online network helped a Chicago exporter find customers in London, and supported a Mississippi realtor in meeting investors for opportunities in his home state.

Online meeting places extend our world, because online business networks like Ecademy ( www.ecademy.com ) reach tens of thousands of members throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. They increase contact volume, exposure to diverse businesses and referral sources, and resources. Network forums typically are comprised of:

1. Experts in specific fields interested in new clients;
2. Entrepreneurs building networks to help grow their businesses; and,
3. Emerging business members needing mentoring.

New members discover tools for easily creating sites that tell others what they offer and need as well as information about their personal background. To identify people with similar interests, members may join online clubs comprised of people with whom they want to interact. Communicating through clubs, they post bulletin board questions and ideas.

Regardless of location or time zone, online networks enable members to communicate with potential contacts by email and chat. Many add Skype—a free voice over Internet (VoIP) service—for live voice conversations. Using these tools, networkers quickly determine which contacts they need—and without spending time traveling.

When groups begin collaborating online, many members add Web conferencing to their capabilities, using a service like PresenterNet ( www.presenternet.com ). This enables them to present new ideas online, speaking as they display slides onscreen. It also allows users to view immediate onscreen feedback to pre-qualify potential prospects. Using Web conferencing in this way, social networking evolves into a more comprehensive business relationship. Speaking by Skype or telephone, presenters display slides, graphics, or photos to illustrate products, services, investment opportunities or new technologies.

In some cases, online networking professionals invite members to Webinars—online seminars that cover a broad range of subjects. This enables them to reach large audiences, interact online, gather immediate onscreen feedback, answer audience questions, and store follow-up requests.

What computer skills do you need for online social networking or Web conferencing? Practically none! Anyone who can send an email or search Google can network on sites like Ecademy or conference with a service like PresenterNet. It's as easy as pointing, clicking, and typing. It's well worth the time to extend your networking world.

To learn more about PresenterNet, go to www.presenternet.com.