Management needs to model appropriate behavior and also to make policies known. You have to work proactively to set an environment of respect and dignity where rumors and malicious gossip isn't tolerated. This means you can't be doing it yourself.

Management can also work to build a culture that’s supportive rather than overtly competitive. Putting proactive emotional intelligence and anti-mobbing programs in place show positive intent. To see an excellent pro-respect statement – State of Oregon, Dept. of Environment Quality ANTI-MOBBING policy NO. 50.110, at http://www.mobbing-usa.com/resources1.html .

People are also less inclinced to gossip if they know there are avenues for addressing grievances within company.

It's important not to ignore incidents of rumor and gossip. Ignoring it is like agreeing to it in minds of employees. It's generally one of those things that doesn't go away.

Rumors must be dealt with immediately. Get two people together who are involved (the one making rumors and one being gossiped about) and talk it out. If you suspect someone of being a chronic gossip, go with your instincts and check it out. Then address it.

It's human nature to test limits, so it's important that you publicly model what you've proclaimed. The first time you let something slip, your credibility goes down. People think "she doesn't mean what she says." It's far harder to regain lost ground than to enforce policies in beginning.

Create and work to maintain an atmosphere of respect where everyone is concentrating on their work and feels fairly well-informed about what's going on.

3. INCREASED EXPOSURE Through sharing your expertise and knowledge within your Internet networking community, you earn trust and recognition among your peers. Your participation serves as your initial means of gaining exposure and becoming better established as an expert in your field.

4. ENDLESS REFERRALS Once your fellow networkers come to know and trust you, you will begin to experience fruits of your networking efforts. Not only will your peers be more apt to utilize your services; they will be quick to refer others to you. This generates a cycle of word-of-mouth advertising that will contribute more to your growth than high dollar advertising.

Networking through Internet communities offers a sense of reassurance in that it bridges gap by providing resources to entrepreneur that may not otherwise be readily available or easily accessible. As your networking experiences begin to produce growth for your business, it is important that you remain an intricate part of group and give back as frequently as you can. As an active networker, you can turn an ordinary business venture into an extraordinary success!

(c) Rozey Gean, All Rights Reserved

Rozey Gean is the founder of Marketing-Seek.com where online entrepreneurs can keep their publication and and Online Content on the "Cutting Edge" with FREE content from Marketing-Seek. The place where smart Writers, Publishers and Online Entrepreneurs gather resources and build exposure.

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