Social networking stands to benefit businesses

information on one of her ex-partners. As a matter of course, she is very careful not to post anything revealing, but she is not so confident that her colleagues are as careful with either their own or her privacy.

There is no doubt that social networks are useful tools for helping people in business find each other, communicate, collaborate, and maintain large networks of contacts. The right tools, implemented in the right way, can bring a lot of value to any business, whether large or small, and in any sector. Business is inherently social and, whereas once upon a time business relationships could be maintained in meetings over coffee, and with an annual Christmas card, now we need tools to help us nurture our ever-expanding network.

People who are good at maintaining broad networks also have the advantage of access to their contacts' networks too, allowing them to draw upon a vast pool of knowledge. Such people can become more efficient, and can make great leaps of progress through drawing on others' expertise, and are thus more likely to be successful.

Now, as ever, it's not what you know, it's who you know, and social networking tools help you know a lot more people.