I finally attacked a pile of “I mean to read this stuff some day” papers over the weekend. Yes, I’m old school. I like physical books. I read magazines and print off articles I want to read – I don’t simply scan the screen.
One of the items I’ve been carting around to read was entitled Digital Trends In Retail You Should Take Note Of.
It was published by Fjord, the design and innovation team at Accenture Interactive.
Ok, I can hear you thinking, but what has that to do with – now just hear me out ‘cause there is a networking connection.
Three themes popped out in the digital trends Fjord highlighted:
- Consistent, connected experiences vs periodic interactions
- Greater emphasis on physical experiences
- No delineation between digital and IRL (in real life)
Their big suggestion: “Stop viewing digital and physical as separate”.
Amen.
And drum roll while you flip to page 151 of your copy of Build Your Dream Network:
For me, social networking platforms are simply an extension of physical spaces—those networking rooms or venues we frequently find ourselves in. LinkedIn is the office or industry conference. Facebook is the high school reunion or family gathering. Twitter is the cocktail party.
Yes, dear readers, I’m all about this “digital/physical” trend.
Admit it!
Haven’t I been harping on this “authenticity in all networking formats” “be the same person online and off” concept for a while? If it takes a digital trend in retail to illustrate this point (again), so be it.
What does this digital trend mean for your networking habits?
Well, if you’re a “constantly voguing and look at me” type IRL then by all means, have a selfie filled Instagram account. If your usual party entrance is loud, obnoxious vocals, then go ahead and tweet in ALL CAPS.
But don’t be that person if it is not who you are.
BE you, as everyone else is taken (to borrow from Oscar Wilde).
And be who you really are, regardless of which networking ‘room’ (physical, digital, visual, text) you’re in.
