Online business communities are getting bigger by the day. One community for FDs to join is Viadeo, which has more than 1.3 million members across Europe.

Richard Francis, the former director of resource management within American Express, is using Viadeo to find another role.

“I’ve managed to get a number of contacts with recruitment consultants but I’m using it to research companies as well,” he says.

“Viadeo gives you the opportunity to get in contact with people who are not only of a similar level, but are therefore in a position to help you find a job.”

Viadeo also promotes the ability to find clients, suppliers or business partners on the site; exchange information in professional forums; organise events; and get back in touch with former classmates or colleagues.

Francis agrees that Viadeo has helped him to bolster his network of business contacts. “Because I was at American Express for the best part of eight years, a lot of my contacts were within that organisation.

“The good thing is that Viadeo helps me to expand my network in this country and also internationally.

“It also enables me to re-establish my lost network. You lose contact with people and sometimes sending them an email out of the blue can be a little embarrassing. Getting in contact with them via Viadeo is a lot easier and less painful.”

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Tags: online business communities, online networking, networking, viadeo, richard francis,

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