By Jenny Davis

It’s not always possible to take time out of the office to attend industry events. Whether it is a looming project deadline or a personal commitment, you can’t make it to everything. That’s just the way life is.

Content Provided By

The Partner Channel is a “go to” advertising and marketing resource that works creative magic for members. As members of The Partner Channel, Partner organizations reach beyond their marketing needs to the building and support of a Partner community where ideas and knowledge run rampant. Learn More

While there’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction, there is a substitute that may be able to tide you over until the next opportunity – online communities.

The Partner Channel® contacted Joan Eisenstodt, Chief Strategist of Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, a world-renown authority and five year listserv moderator of the MIMList (http://www.meetingnews.com/) within the hospitality, meetings, and events industry, to pick her brain about the phenomenon of Web-based networking.

TPC: What are the greatest benefits of this form of Web-based networking?

JE: It's "right now." Any time someone posts, there’s likely to be someone else online who may know the answer.

What I have found in my many years online and in many different kinds of groups/discussion boards/listservs, is that people can reveal as much or as little as they want about themselves. I have yet to see a group (especially a professional group or an "interest" group) that did not take the online community to real, face-to-face time.

Another advantage is that with so many people either telecommuting or with home-based businesses, it becomes the 'water cooler' where feedback is regularly sought and given.

TPC: How does the discussion board concept correlate with the principles of adult learning? NOTE: The MIMList is a listserv, which is very different from a discussion board or bulletin board. Listservs are sent to the reader; a reader must go to a discussion or bulletin board.

JE: All adults learn differently, process information differently. In an online forum, one can read at one's leisure and comment either directly to an individual or to the group. It allows for learning at one's own pace.

It supports face-to-face meetings and learning. Online learning via listservs (versus online classes) allows people to explore the issues before and after a face-to-face meeting, increasing the ability to retain and use information.

TPC: What piece of advice do you have for people who are interested in participating in discussion boards?

JE: Remember that what you post will be accessible to all those in the group and can easily be forwarded to others. Just as you would in e-mail, be cautious about what you post. If it's highly opinionated, make sure, if you are posting from a work e-mail, that you state that it is YOUR opinion and not necessarily that of your employer.

Delete what doesn't interest you versus kvetching about every discussion.

Be patient with those who ask the same questions that someone else asked before. Remember that the current poster has an immediate need and may not have seen a previous post.

And my advice for those who want to start listservs is to find a good moderator who can stimulate discussion and help enforce the listserv’s policies.