ROI

       ROI- No, I'm not talking about a man with a name that rhymes with boy or getting mixed up with the Koi, the name of the fish we can see desperately trying to gobble fish pellets we buy with quarters at the turn crank machines at the zoo, I'm talking about one little business term I know.  Yep, just one term.  I often like to think about what I might be like working in a career in the business sector, but usually just for a little bit.
       Regardless of whether people work in business or education, ROI or Return on Investment is something it seems most people pay at least a little attention to especially in terms of input to output or time management.  Return on investment is a topic related to social networking too, but maybe not in ways people might think of first.
        In John Hagel III and John Seely Brown's article, "Five Tips for Smarter Social Networking," they recommend expressing authentic vulnerability, mixing professional and personal, provoking, promoting, and actively seeding, feeding, and weeding."  Especially in promoting, seeding, feeding, and weeding, it seems the old maxim, "you get out what you put in" is true.  However, I liked and agree with the two Johns' idea that it's important not to promote myself but to promote others.  When people take the time to create genuine relationships and share, they will benefit greatly.  Just last night at the Bookworm, I saw the International Intrigue Book Club holding a discussion with the author of their latest book.  What's interesting is the group didn't contact the author; the author contacted them.  He received a Google Alert that they were discussing his book and offered to chat with them.  In the article, "Principal's Perspective" by John Hudson, a similar situation happened.  William M. Ferriter on Twitter noticed John's biography said he was interested in his book.  Ferriter wrote to john and offered to collaborate as well as posted on John's Blog when he wrote about it.  Ferriter as well as the author at the Bookworm both understand the value of hearing others' ideas.  
         This week I hope to take the advice and examples given in this article and work to promote others without worrying about my Return on Investment, but knowing that building relationships, promoting and provoking others, and "feeding" will create positive results. 




What do you think? Is this advice sound? Do you have examples of where and how it has worked? What other practices would you add?