DABGO the largest Danish global business organization is happy to introduce a new online job portal with special focus on utilization of the large and well organized global Danish workforce.

DABGO has more than 3,000 members (the goal is 25.000 members before end of 2010). Please read more about DABGO here: www.dabgo.net

We would like to offer you access to the DABGO Job Portal so that you may extend your search for talents to all the Danes outside of Denmark and their large network. In addition to your ads on the DABGO job portal, we will also promote the latest new positions in our global newsletter to all DABGO members and subscribers to ensure continued awareness and traffic.

Please take a look at the job portal at the following link: http://dabgo.net/jobs. Our fee is $100.00 per job ad but with this discount code “dabgojobs” it is free until December 31, 2008.

We know this new tool will assist in your effort to bring the best talents to your organization and we are looking forward to hearing about your success from using the DABGO job portal.

Please do not hesitate to contact DABGO’s job portal coordinator, Henrik Hansen at hhansen@dabgo.net if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.

Who is going to win the battle, the explosive online networks with millions of members or the strong local network group that meets up once a month? The answer is easy, there is no battle, there is no one or the other if you are a true networker. Nothing will replace the connection and trust that can be generated in meeting people face to face, and no local network will ever be able to give you the access to the same number of people that an online network can. The trick is to use the online and the “offline” network to compliment each other for maximum effect.

Example; As a DABGO member you have access to many more people than you have time to meet with in person. But it gives you the option of searching and finding just the right people for you to connect with, and then establish offline meet ups or events where you invite a number of people with the same interest. With the power to choose your offline network, it is no longer up to coincidences at a local network meeting if you happen to meet the right connections. With an online network it’s all up to you to make that happen.

This is not to say that you should quit your local network and just start your own network of only like-minded people, because it’s at the local network meeting (chamber of commerce, local Danish club etc.) that you meet diversity and personalities which are just as important to grow a strong diverse network.

DABGO members can contact each other directly via Linkedin “InMail” which sends an e-mail to the other DABGO members inbox on Linkedin. This function does NOT allow other DABGO members to see each others e-mail addresses. To see another Linkedin members e-mail address and other contact information you need to be connected directly. You can also choose to ask for an Introduction through a shared connection.

Here is an example of how you can find who your searching for and how you can contact that person.

Let’s say you need a Photographer for a job, but do not know any photographers, then let’s try a search on Linkedin within the DABGO group. Remember always to try to give business to fellow DABGO members.

When you login into your Linkedin frontpage you will find the following functions on the lower right hand side of the page. Click on “See all members”

You will now see a complete list of all DABGO members:

In the upper right hand corner you will find the “Refine Search” button. Click it to make a more specific search.

Make sure that the “Limit search to your groups” is checked, and then enter “Photographer” in the “Titel” search box, or make a broader search by using the “Keywords” search box.

You will get a search result, and you can now click the profile that best matches your criteria and contact the person via InMail or via Introduction.

At DABGO we hope that 2007 has been a successful and wonderful year for you and your loved ones. Now is the time of year to make your New Year resolutions, and in addition to your goals for your personal life and work life. I have created a list that will make 2008 a successful networking year.

1. Get to know your network better - You cannot even begin to network, unless you know who is in your network. Make a complete list of everyone in your network, that being family, friends, coworkers, sports, organizations and online communities etc. Make notes on everything relevant you know about each person. If you have people in your online network that you do not know that well, then write them an e-mail and get updated on their current agenda. Know understand and appreciate your value to the people in your network. We all have unique interests, talents, and experiences which can be used to help others. Revel in knowing that you can touch the lives of everyone you meet if you are prepared to share your knowledge and resources with them.

2. Make introductions – When you meet new people or existing contacts, then ask them about their current challenges and then think creatively and remember what other contacts have told you about their business and expertise. If no one in your network comes to mind, then write down the challenges and keep it on your desk for a few weeks, in case you should stumble upon a possible candidate that can help. Use the new e-mail feature on Linkedin to make the introduction. You can get instruction on how here…

3. Update your Linkedin profile - So that it matches your skill set and experience. You can get some tips & tricks on how to update your profile by Linkedin employees here…

4. Arrange a lunch, dinner, event, meet-up for coffee etc. - Create an event for the local DABGO members where you live. Take the network offline locally, and connect in person with other members. A big part of networking effectively is keeping you visible. People will see you as a connector if you hold your own event.

5. Budget time for networking - Networking will not pay off instantly. So make a networking schedule (goal) for yourself that fits your schedule. Here are some examples of what could be included:

• Reach out to “X number” of people in your network via e-mail and phone every
• Have lunch with “X number” of new contact/s every month
• Have lunch with X number old contact/s every month
• Attend “X number” of networking event/s every month
• Check the www.dabgo.com site “X number” of times every month for new articles and your local network websites for upcoming events.

6. Pace yourself - Get involved in online and offline networking groups and communities at a pace that you can maintain. It is better to get involved gradually than to make a big splash and then fade away. Let your involvement and presence is a process that grows in momentum, visibility and value over time. This gives you and others a chance to develop trust and rapport. It doesn’t matter what you decided to do to get yourself noticed. Just do it, and do it consistently. You’ll find it’s a low cost way to build your business; you’ll learn a lot from others and have fun at the same time.

7. Your Introduction - Plan and practice your introduction of yourself and your company, also known as the elevator pitch. Check this YouTube movie on what an elevator pitch is here… (it is meant for venture capital, but works for any product or service pitch to a potential customer or network contact to understand your business)
Also check the following link to a fast pitch approach to generate interest here…

8. Follow up – Very few people follow up when meeting a new person and receiving a business card or contact details. Make sure to follow up within 24 business hours it will make you stand out, and increase your credibility. Your follow-up displays your level of commitment to relationships.

9. Help DABGO grow – The strength of DABGO will have a direct or indirect impact on the opportunities and wisdom you will receive in return from the network. So please go through your contact list and see if there should be any Danes living abroad or living in Denmark with two or more years abroad. Please send them the www.dabgo.com link and invite them to the network, or send me their names and e-mail addresses and I will do it for you.

10. Recommend a person - Write a Linkedin recommendation for a colleague or business partner that you value. It is a great way to say that you appreciate the person. A public recommendation is much better that sending flowers or wine with a card. It will also last longer and strengthen your connection with that person. Get some tips & tricks on how to write a recommendation here…

DABGO Denmark is now live, and open for you to join.

We have been working hard to make this network group possible. And it will be with your help that DABGO Denmark will grow to become a success and an active tool in creating new opportunities for you and the other members. So please take some time to forward the www.dabgo.com link to all the Danes you know that have been working abroad for at least two years, as well as Danes you know in the countries listed on the front page.

On this site you will find tips & tricks on networking, using Linkedin, articles and getting the most of your DABGO membership, which by the way is free.

Our ambitions for DABGO are now to be operational in at least the 20 most important Danish export markets, with at least 20,000 members, before year 2009, and thereby contribute to an increase in Danish exports, the acceleration of Danish business peoples’ international careers, and an increase in international investments in Danish companies.

We are looking for funding from institutions – i.e. Udenrigsministeriet, Globaliseringsrådet, and similar organizations – as well as companies and trusts, who would be interested in supporting the growth of DABGO globally. The funding will go to adding more value to the entire network, and coordinate local networking events with focus on generating new connections and business opportunities. If you know of anyone who can be of help accelerate this process, then please have them contact me at jacob@dabgo.net.

If you have any suggestions, ideas, comments or an article you would like posted on DABGO, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I wish you all great success.

Regards,

Jesper Løvendahl
Founder & DABGO Partner