"or baby boomer women, this is less attractive, and for many women in general, online networking doesn't work as well because women really value the in person connection. To wit: when males talk, they can sit side by side and only occasionally look at one another. Women will move their chairs or sit uncomfortably to allow themselves to face each other directly-- in order to study the up to 250,000 facial expressions the human face is capable of making. Online doesn't give you that; only in person. I will grant you some generational differences but for the most part women want to see their networking partners. They aren't the ones typically bragging about 10,000 Linked In members in their network, about whom they know very little. In fact, most of the women I speak to say they will not participate in Linked In precisely because they cannot speak to and get to know the members. It's something to keep in mind. "
I must say, most of the networking I do is online and have met some wonderful contacts. Don't get me wrong, human contact is nice - but in the time and space we find ourselves in, women, just as men, are just as likely if not more to connect online. I find myself looking for "virtual" networking opportunities every day to enhance business and help enhance others bottom line. I like the idea of no barriers - open forum and the sharing of ideas.
If you are in Denver check out:
Insidetrackdenver : INSIDE TRACK DENVER I started this so I could network virtually.