While there is a huge quantity of information on the Web, I’m sure you’ve found that some of the most valuable knowledge you’ve acquired has been the result of talking to people. You can’t beat getting it from the source; you can’t beat reading the body language.
When should you talk to people instead of just searching on the Web?
•When you need to develop case studies or client testimonials.
•When you have experts within your organization who have valuable knowledge but don’t have the time, inclination, and/or ability to write it down.
•If your subject is new: the newer the subject, the less likelihood there is that much has been published on it.
•If the information you seek is important: the more valuable the information you are seeking, the less likely it is that it will be on the Web, certainly in a free format.
•If you seek exact information: the greater the need for absolute accuracy, the better off you are checking your facts against offline sources.
Of course, it’s not always an either/or situation; usually it’s a combination that works. Just remember that everyone is searching the Web. Going to the source may be what gives you the edge.
The best information can be the hardest to find. That’s why it’s the best.
Talking to people is not as simple as it sounds. It’s not just about giving someone a call and asking a few questions. It’s time-consuming and it takes a lot of experience to get it right. People will tell you one thing while their body language or tone of voice tells you something else. It takes lots of practice to get good at reading people.
