Comments on: Using friends as business contacts can be dangerous http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/ Commentary on the State of Information Security Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:13:08 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Landon Lewis http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-20347 Landon Lewis Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:26:19 +0000 http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/#comment-20347 Michael -- Some of this comes down to basic personal networking maintenance (as I call it). Your friends/contacts should always be aware of your latest interests, your latest contact information as soon as it changes, and also be aware of how your can help each other bi-directionally. I think Alan's chart is bit over-analyzed, but keeping in contact and maintaining the relationship with peers is very critical. I divide my contacts into three groups, Top 20, Top 50, Top 100, and inspirational contacts, each group has a period of time in which I contact them. This goes beyond just an email saying hey or just a phone call (boring and uninteresting). I reach out and ask a question, ask for advice which helps form a larger bond, or maybe forward on a controversial story with my comments. Also if I'm in their area I plan for coffee, lunch, or dinner. My inspirational contacts (which I always need to work on) are people I want to know or people I inspire from a career perspective. If you get a moment, check out the book "Brand You 50" by Tom Peters. I'm on board with Accuvant now =) so I'll pass it over for you to borrow if you like. Michael — Some of this comes down to basic personal networking maintenance (as I call it). Your friends/contacts should always be aware of your latest interests, your latest contact information as soon as it changes, and also be aware of how your can help each other bi-directionally. I think Alan’s chart is bit over-analyzed, but keeping in contact and maintaining the relationship with peers is very critical. I divide my contacts into three groups, Top 20, Top 50, Top 100, and inspirational contacts, each group has a period of time in which I contact them. This goes beyond just an email saying hey or just a phone call (boring and uninteresting). I reach out and ask a question, ask for advice which helps form a larger bond, or maybe forward on a controversial story with my comments. Also if I’m in their area I plan for coffee, lunch, or dinner. My inspirational contacts (which I always need to work on) are people I want to know or people I inspire from a career perspective. If you get a moment, check out the book “Brand You 50″ by Tom Peters. I’m on board with Accuvant now =) so I’ll pass it over for you to borrow if you like.

]]> By: Sam Van Ryder http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-20242 Sam Van Ryder Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:41:56 +0000 http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/#comment-20242 I agree with Alan - if your intentions and actions are honorable, what are you worried about? (However, I think Alan's little chart is a bit over the deep end. You're an Over-Analyzer, Alan!) I would never approach a friend about business unless I believed it was the right thing to do. And many times, these friends are great sounding boards when you are just getting started in a new role/company. Quite frankly, many of my current friends came from business experiences (networking, selling, etc.). Sound familiar? ;-) I agree with Alan – if your intentions and actions are honorable, what are you worried about? (However, I think Alan’s little chart is a bit over the deep end. You’re an Over-Analyzer, Alan!) I would never approach a friend about business unless I believed it was the right thing to do. And many times, these friends are great sounding boards when you are just getting started in a new role/company. Quite frankly, many of my current friends came from business experiences (networking, selling, etc.). Sound familiar? ;-)

]]> By: Michael Farnum http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-20240 Michael Farnum Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:44:51 +0000 http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/#comment-20240 Well surprise, surprise! :) Michael Well surprise, surprise! :)

Michael

]]> By: alan shimel http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/comment-page-1/#comment-20239 alan shimel Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:35:10 +0000 http://infosecplace.com/blog/2007/10/11/using-friends-as-business-contacts-can-be-dangerous/#comment-20239 Michael - I have to disagree with you on this one. I think you are exhibiting classic sales reluctance. I have written more about it on my blog at <a href="http://www.stillsecureafteralltheseyears.com/ashimmy/2007/10/what-are-friend.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> Michael – I have to disagree with you on this one. I think you are exhibiting classic sales reluctance. I have written more about it on my blog at here

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