In 1929 a Hungarian author named Frigyes Karinthy penned a short story titled “Everything is Different.” The story investigated the abstract and conceptual theory of networks. He postulated that with technological advances, networks could grow larger and even multiply, making the modern world smaller or as he determined, the world would be ‘shrinking’ due to the ever-increasing connectedness of human beings.
Today social networks are becoming a popular cultural movement in the USA and other countries around the world. The notion of six degrees is becoming more visible in social networking sites such as facebook, Friendster, Myspace, Ning, Bebo, Xing, Orkut to mention just a few. Facebook claims 90 million people, where Myspace boost of over 300 million people who are increasing their connectivity with other online users.
Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is an average of six "steps" away from each person on Earth. (Wikipedia)
Monte Carlo simulation analyzes the behavior of variables, such as the strength and weakness of two models to understand the impact of uncertainty between those models. In 1961 Michael Gurevich, a PhD student at MIT did his dissertation on empirical study of the structure of social networks, and used Monte Carlo simulations to determine the weakness and strength between acquaintance links. Other mathematicians some years later as computer became more power full, determine that Gurevich’s models show that in the U.S. population, there were only tree degrees of separation that existed between contacts.
To date the phrase “six degrees of separation” is use to refer to the “small world” phenomenon, but it should be mentioned that studies are still being conducted to substantiate its claims. However, many still believe that the average path length between people is 6.6 degrees of separation.
Although this idea has been around for sometime, companies have not jumped on the band wagon to promote the idea of “six degrees”, except one unique developer in a remote location in Austria. Michael Haschek who has been an activity social net worker for the last four years, and who happens to be one of the most connected LinkedIn networkers in Europe.
He has started a company which he named Seamless, and has developed a program that in a nut shell allow users to reach out six degrees. This program has remarkable potential for business utility. One amazing application for his program, is using this tool to replace “Cold Calling;" that's right, did you sales and marketing people get that! Yes, this tool has the potential of replacing cold calls.
As cost continue upwards, a tool such as this in the hands of sales and marketing people would reduce costs and increase their ability to reach key people in a timely manner. With modern technology providing email blocking, caller id screening and other tools to block outside calls, it has become almost impossible to reach the people in business you are trying to connect too.
Seamless product BestRearch solves this problem by working with your contacts in Outlook, Lotus Notes, and CRM environments. BR establishes a link through trusted contacts in order to reach new individuals outside your current network. It helps end-users in their decision making process by suggesting the best path to new relationships. Based upon the “six degrees of separation” model, BR aggregates local, available and new potential network contacts.
For me personally, I can't wait to try this new sales and marketing tool. Having cold called for over twenty years, I am so over it. All I can say about this...bring it on baby!