How good is your network?

I have been dabbling at the social networking thing for the last few months. I am on Twitter, facebook, friendfeed, Stumbleupon and Linkedin. I used them all for different reason’s. One of the one’s that I really enjoy lately is Linkedin. Someone once described it as the “Facebook for people who have jobs”. It is a great social networking tool, and recently I have had the honor in connecting with Steven Burda, a Russian immigrant to the United States who is one of the most connected people on Linkedin with over 40,000 direct connections. 

Steven made some time to talk with me last night and I wanted to share some of that with you.

Pat Sawler: How have you been able to build such a large network?

Steven Burda: Well I started just over 3 1/2 years ago, and I just focused on building it one person at a time. I never set out to do it just to have a large network. I did it to help people and ended up with a large network as a result.

PS: How do you help people in your network?

SB: I don’t have all the answers, but I know that I can answer most any question with the expertise from those in my network. People come to me needing XY or Z and I find an expert in my network who specializes in XY or Z and introduce them. It’s as simple as that.

PS: What benefit’s have you personally gained from having a large network? 

SB: I want start by saying that I do not do this for financial gain. I have a very good position with great benefits at a great company and am very happy. I honestly enjoy helping people. I have been offered jobs, in almost every industry. I have had people send me thank you cards for helping them. Once someone even offered to send me boxes of cereal from his factory. It is really a blessing to have a large network. I know if I wanted to, I could always find friends in any city that I travel to, and there is something comforting about that. 

Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me. I am honored to be part of your network. I know if I really am stuck with any problem, with a few clicks on your keyboard you will probably find me the answer. Since you are a new Dad, the only advice I could give to you as a father of 3 is to enjoy every moment, have burping towels and lots of wipes!

You see having a great network is more than knowing who you can call at 3am. It is also knowing who you can approach to find the answers. I am open to helping you, if I don’t know the answer, I most likely know people who do.

Cheers,

Pat

p.s- You can find me on Twitter,Linkedin, Facebookand friendfeed.
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