I just finished reading a unique book, 'The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online'. I urge you to get a copy for yourself, and a few more for your colleagues.
The Virtual Handshake is the first book I've seen on how businesspeople can leverage online networks: to find new clients, new business partners, new clients, or even a new job. More technically, this is the first mass market book about "social software": blogs, social network sites, relationship capital management software, and so on. A lot of people are talking about these technologies; this book talks about how you can actually use them in business.
I'm not the only one who is excited about the book. Robert B. Cialdini, the author of "Influence: Science and Practice", said, "Anyone planning to build a business – online or not – will benefit from this pioneering book." The CEOs of Best Software, Ecademy, and Military.com have all raved about it — not to mention Craig Newmark (founder of craigslist) and David Allen (author of "Getting Things Done"), among many others.
I suggest visiting http://www.TheVirtualHandshake.com, a resource site which includes a directory of all the major social software companies, a Reader's Guide, a blog, and many other resources that can help you to use all of these cool technologies.
If you'd like to buy a copy or read more, just click here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0814472869/handshake-20
(Full disclosure: I have an Amazon affiliate ID, so I'll earn a little money if you click on that link. So please click on that link!)
Thanks!