I’m fairly open about how people connect on LinkedIn. You want to be an open networker, I’m with you. You want to be a closed networker, hey if it works for you great. Whichever way you choose you still have a obligation to those you connect with to guard the information you have gained through the connection. It really would not be cool to do something like downloading your contacts to a csv file and then trade your file with others like Topp’s Baseball cards.
Here is a LinkedIn message that I received (I’ve chosen to remove the identifying information. I have left some references so that you will recognize the message should you receive it)
“Hi Sean,
My name is xxxx xxxxx and I am a Member of Super Open Networkers Group (SON) and I would like to exchange my CSV. file contact list with you in exchange for yours.
I am in New York City attending events leading up to my daughter’s wedding in August but will return to my office on Sunday. I would very much like to exchange connection lists with you at that time. In the meantime you can check me out at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/xxxxxxxx Email: xxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Best Regards
xxxx xxxxxxxx(SON)
I’m not certain if this is a real person or a fake account that’s been set up in order to use to collect emails. If its real then the person sending the message doesn’t have a clue. If its fake its just another reminder that not all is as it seems on LinkedIn. Or any other social network for that matter.
I’m all for open networking on LinkedIn, but this stretches the limit an is just wrong. What do you think?
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