GC: I'd say that they're different means to the same end. Face-to-face gives you the in-depth personal experience of networking. It's about making a connection with people, which is best done in person. On-line gives you breadth and searchability. For example, I can find people on Ryze that have an interest in ASP (the searchability), from a pool of thousands of people (the depth). Try doing that in a crowded room of people at a networking party! On-line also allows you to cross the time/distance barrier we alluded to earlier. I can now network with people in Australia just as easily as with someone in Astoria (which is just a few miles away from Manhattan). Ultimately, you're trying to find peole with whom you can together provide more value than you might individually. That's one of the future goals of KASE is to expand our network and allow our members to achieve this kind of "flow" and connectedness.
SA: I've really been impressed by Ryze.
GC: Yes, me, too. It provides an amazing environment for creating those "weak ties" - loose connections that are not as strong as face-to-face relationships, but that could definitely lead to such.
SA: I suppose all online communities do that, but with Ryze expressly focused on business networking, you obviously get a whole different quality of members. Actually, those loose ties are more often where business leads and job opportunities come from than the close connections are, oddly enough.
GC: Because (1) they're new connections, and (2) they're broader than the close connections you currently have. I think it's in the periphery/edge that a lot of interesting stuff happens. The people who use Ryze tend to be a pre-selected group of people who are motivated to network and work through the kinks and difficulties of the medium.
SA: And the power of the web to maintain and develop those connections is phenomenal.
GC: Indeed, it cuts through time and space.
SA: What final words of advice or encouragement might you have for fellow entrepreneurs?
GC: (1) I believe it was Wayne Gretzky who said "One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in". If you don't try, it's not going to happen. So if you really want to do it, give it a try. Now's as good a time as any.
(2) Believe in yourself and in your idea. If you don't believe in it, no one else will. So this is a PRE-requisite. If you do believe in it, it will show, and others will follow. Believing in yourself means that you give yourself the freedom to try beyond your known limits, and the freedom to fail from time to time (as you inevitably will!!)
(3) Know your limits. While you believe in yourself, recognize that you can't do it all. Don't let yourself get in the way of your success by not delegating, or by letting your ego get in the way of growth, etc. Don't think you have all the answers, becuse you don't. Listen, consider, decide, execute.
(4) Have fun. Really enjoy the process. Whether you're having a really tough time pitching to VCs, or you're on a high because you've just landed your first deal, enjoy the moment. It's the journey that makes the man (woman), not the destination.
(5) Consider the fundamentals. Learn from the mistakes of our recent past. Don't go for quick solutions and hypes. Deliver real value to real customers with real products.
SA: Excellent. Thanks for your time.
GC: My pleasure.