"The Virtual Handshake":
A Book That Can Help You Broaden Your Network

I just completed reading "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online," an extremely informative and useful book by David Teten and Scott Allen.

The book, published last year, details how to make use of "social software" to "build and leverage a much larger and more effective network." It is an excellent guide to expanding your business potential through online networking.

This book has helped bring me up-to-date on how to enhance my business outreach into the marketplace. I am looking forward to using the book's guidance to increase my effectiveness in developing new public relations and marketing communications business.

Of particular significance is the book's focus on the "Seven Keys to creating and maintaining a powerful network: your Character, your Competence to do what you claim you can do, the Relevance of the people you know, the Strength of your relationships, the Information that you have about people, the Number of people you know, and the Diversity of your network.

The book provides guidance on how to leverage these keys using social software.

Over the recent past, I have made the acquaintance of David Teten, one of the co-authors of "The Virtual Handshake." I heard him as a panel member at two separate technology-related networking breakfasts, and have corresponded briefly with him by email. Teten is extremely knowledgeable about the benefits of using social software.

He operates two networking-based businesses: (1) Teten Recruiting specializes in using online networks to find high-quality candidates; and (2) Nitron Advisors, whose clients include hedge funds, private equity funds and mutual funds, introduces these clients to executives, academics, scientists and other industry experts who can analyze investment opportunities based on their experience on the industry's front lines. Teten uses social software to help clients interview and learn directly from these experts.

There is plenty of great advice in "The Virtual Handshake," and I intend to keep it close at hand as I work to implement its guidance in the coming months.