Working in a Virtual Learning Environment
Posted in Online Networking
Online business networking may be an easy way of establishing your business image, you should remember that meeting online friends has its risks.
This practice varies from meeting potential clients in discussion forums, chat rooms, or sending e-mail messages. Here are some tips you should know about working in a virtual environment.
Greet someone you "meet" for the first time - When someone enters a chat room, or becomes a new member of a discussion forum, welcome the pereson. Sometimes they will answer you back or not (usually they do). Engage the newbie into a conversation before jumping into an offer of establishing a business relationship.
Show emotions, even online - Hiding behind a handlename, especially in chat rooms, runs against the concept of heartfelt conversations. It is not easy that we hear no tone, no emotions, facial expression, among others. We may have no idea who we chatting with, but once we get to know more about them the shared support and information is bliss. How? By simply showing your emotions online. Nowadays, it's been made easier by emoticons, abbreviations like "LOL", and creative use of words.
Show if you are available for a discussion, or not - When we log into an instant messaging service, we can learn if our "buddies" are online, too. We can greet them and have a one-on-one chat (or a conference with other potential clients). However, if you do not want to be disturbed because you would rather focus on a project for instance, there are options in instant messaging where you can log in as "invisible". If you were greeted by a "buddy" while busy, politely answer that you are working on something and you will talk to him/ her some other time.
