The biggest issue that I see with any networking organization (social or professional) is that they are not in the business of promoting us. They are in the business of promoting themselves. There's nothing wrong with that but we are lead to believe otherwise. So like any weight loss scheme or get rich scheme we will continue to pay a dollar here and a dollar there plus receive a few emails (forever) just for a few referrals.

Jonathan Cuyno, Vista, CA

Avoid networking groups that charge an arm and a leg. Look closer. There are a few out there that will fleece you and you get nothing in return, pay for extra courses and meet delusional dopeheads and MLM monsters.

Ecademy is good, the lectures are always interesting but the site is a bit screechy.

Smaller groups meeting above or below pubs are much better for meeting lthe likeminded generally, are more intimate and can be just as good as some dull straightlaced gathering.

Sharon, Sheffield, UK

I use Fast Pitch! (www.fastpitchnetworking.com). Very little spam from other members... and I'm able to do a number of things on the site to promote my business that are not available on other sites (LinkedIn, etc.). For example, I can post press, promote my blog and obviously make connections. It's like a Facebook for Business without all of the silly games.

David Schraw, London, UK

"Facebook is for friends, past and present. Anyone who wants to be "your friend" should be ignored! "

Exactly! You don't want to use it to make friends, you want to use it to keep in contact with friends (and family) if they're not around.

starling, Lancaster,

As a Business Junction member and a serial networker I was interested to read this article, especially as I was on the boat and didn't meet the author. Just unlucky that day I suppose! ;)

The network that I have built up through Business Junction and other organisations has generated business directly and indirectly. It's provided me with an exceptionally useful 'little black book' which is still expanding and which means I'm a useful information resource for other people. Networking isn't just the 'dead eyed exchange of business cards', smart, savvy networking is the art of connecting with other people. Do men find it easier to exploit superficial relationships? Perhaps, but that's selling, not networking. And networking leads to better sales as most of the hard work is done for you as you're already known, trusted and respected if you network properly. I'd be really interested to read a follow up piece in a year to see what Sathnam and Francesca really got out of it...

Katherine Leopold, London,

BNI can be effective for, say, solicitors & financial advisers, who probably network anyway. My own experience was different. Although I was effective at generating leads for others, all the leads I received were terrible - the fear of not producing leads at BNI meetings led others to pass on anything. As a stress management consultant, this was simply a waste of my time. The final straw came when I ordered a large quantity of publicity material from a fellow member, who simply didn't deliver due to a 'personal crisis', which I later discovered was a relationship issue. I complained to my local branch & sent a much longer letter to the UK BNI HQ. I received no reply.

C Wan, Sheffield,

am not so sure about facebook and identity theft, one thing is for sure
ever since i joined facebook, the junk never stops coming through my mail box..
i left myspace for the same commercialised reasons, except with them, the junk came to my myspace inbox
now it comes to my main email inbox
am over and out with these people, am telling u!!

laureen, leeds,

I would contend that women feel less comfortable networking because they are often on the receiving end of occasional inappropriate behaviour. I can't tell you the number of times, people I was at events with assumed that because I had laughed at their jokes and been friendly, it was OK to ask me out on a date etc... It's just wrong and as a result I feel very wary of some people and reluctant to go to too many events.

V., London,

Rosendo,

Identity theft by definition might not be a crime. But using the details to procure something in a criminal means IS a crime.

This could mean that if you use someone else’s banking details to purchase goods, you are not committing the crime of ‘identity theft’, but a specific offence called ‘obtaining property by deception’ (S1 Theft Act 1978) or if for a service, ‘obtaining goods by deception’ (s15 Theft Act 1968). There are also other similar offences by deception such as obtaining pecuniary/financial advantage, obtaining a money transfer etc etc…

beebee, London,

I am surprised by the comments concerning identity theft. Inspector Dollery of the Kingston Police has stated that "identity theft is not a specific offence".

Can someone legal explain if identity theft is illegal, fraud or a crime or something else. Cifas please comment.

In the 14 Aug article Cifas refers to "identity theft" and fraud at about £1.5 billion. It seems that the police and judges do not consider identity theft wrong. Who is right?

Rosendo Fularon, London,