Technosailor - Latest Comments in Relationship in the Internet World

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:19:36 -0000

Bravo! I couldn't agree more. Too many people in sales try to push their product on you right from the start. Building a relationship with your prospective customers will get you much farther to a sale than a sales pitch. And people prefer to buy from their friends.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Nahum Gershon — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:01:05 -0000

Aaron,

Thanks for the article about your friendship with Shashi and for expressing your feelings about him online. I first "met" Shashi" on Facebook and it was he who recommended that I sign up to Twitter. We developed a friendship through subsequent phone and face-to-face meetings. I fully understand why he has so many admirers- this is evident from the comments following your post.

@nahumg

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Linda Sherman — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:41:07 -0000

Great to find your blog through this Twitter Shashi connection. I very much enjoyed this post. I have only been on Twitter since Christmas. I joined Twitter thanks to Leah Jones. I met Shashi early on and took advantage of a "call my cell-phone while I'm commuting" @shashib Twitter. It was delightful. I am back in the USA after working in Japan for many years. We have a great international community in Tokyo but its not on-line much. I've been easing into various on-line communities for the last two years. I do feel that Twitter (at least the group I have fallen in with) offers the opportunity for real friendships.
@lindasherman

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Connie Bensen — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:19:12 -0000

Group hug! Shashi is my friend too! Albeit we've never met in person, we've gotten to know each other on twitter & via email. He's totally sincere & committed to doing the best for his company. This IS what the future is about. We are 'accidental marketers' and it's an interesting direction.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

AnnOhio — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:02:33 -0000

:o)

He's one terrific guy, I can't wait to meet Shashi myself face-to-face!

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Jimmy — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:23:56 -0000

Heh Aaron,
great job man. I agree with your take. I think people who gain the most value out of tools like Twitter are the ones that build these relationships. I have met such great people via Twitter already. Poeple like yourself, Nahum, Shashi, Andrew Wright, Zvi Band, Nick O'Neill, Shana Glickfield, Leslie Bradshaw, Susan Reynolds, George Brett, Jeff Hibbard, Jonny Goldstein .... and the list goes on. I would have never met these people otherwise, but I have and we are coming together as a great community in the DC area. It has been so enjoyable.

Thanks for the great post and I am glad to have met you recently.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Larissa Fair — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:40:20 -0000

I like your style :)

Seriously, a great way for others who haven't had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with Shashi (who btw always helps me out if I need it) to get to know him, and to touch on the relationship aspect of social media.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Jill Foster — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:49:48 -0000

Shashi's a kind, savvy person. Thx for posting this! You made an apt point on how authentic relating 2.0 style (3.0?!) influences marketing. Great photo too.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Harry — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:52:47 -0000

Shashi is my friend too! Great post - really hit home. I have lots of "friends" online, but few FRIENDS.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Christina Warren — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:15:11 -0000

I love this! What a great post. I love the juxtaposition of the 20th century definition of friendship compared to the new social media definition, because there is definitely a difference. Even more interesting, is that this just shows that the new media definition can lead to the old world relationship - and that's something that I think many of us lose when engaging in so-called social networking spheres. What I have found most surprising about Twitter, as opposed to other "networks" is that despite being limited to 140 characters and having an open time-line, it is much easier to form actual bonds than with something like Facebook (though to be fair, I started using Facebook almost 3 years ago to keep up with old friends - not to necessarily meet new people - and that's totally different than the model now).

Although I haven't had the opportunity to meet Shashi, I truly enjoy having conversations with him and getting to know bits and pieces of his life. The same goes for many of my Twitterati. Anyhoo - great post!

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Sonia Simone — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:01:26 -0000

Great post. Human beings! Actual connection! Recognition, acceptance and celebration of the whole person instead of one aspect! Revolutionary!

As "friendship" becomes a technological/marketing term, it's critical to retain friendship as a human one.

Re: Relationship in the Internet World

Andrew Wright (@batterista) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:04:35 -0000

I too am friends with Shash, and can't agree more with this post. I wrote a blog post a week or so ago about Shashi and the NetSol situation, and my conclusion is that the company is much better off with him there, putting a real, authentic, trustworthy face on the company...but who can't be put in a position of defending the undefensible. Shashi's taking a lead role in helping ensure the company does the right things...sort of an ombudsman for the community in addition to representing NetSol. It's an interesting duality, but he's showing how it can be done.