Doostang jobs vs. aSmallWorld exclusivity: my email exchange with Doostang's Co-Founder & CEO Mareza Larizadeh

Mareza was kind enough to join our podcast recently, and one topic was about his commitment to building Doostang on "trust" and how that can be maintained as the user base grows.  The site can be found at http://www.doostang.com.  The site is currently in alpha and is invite only, so if you would like an invitation, Mareza has requested that you email him directly at mareza-AT-doostang.com.

My Email to Mareza:

Mareza,

I discovered aSmallWorld.net recently and have discussed it with a couple friends and we agree that they execute invite-only consistently, meaning invite-only was not just a means to build out the network at the beginning or a marketing ploy as some suggest it is, but is an essential component necessary to enable the network to maintain its purpose.  In fact, they have continued to narrow the requirements for a member to stay a part of the network in order to maintain the site as a truly "trusted" place; for example, you have to be confirmed by 10 members just to gain membership.  If you do some deleterious to the network, then you get booted.

Certainly doostang and sSmallWorld.net are not the same thing -- in fact, I don't know of any other network that operates in a similar manner as aSmallWorld.net -- but I would appreciate your comments as to what you think of their approach and whether you think that would be helpful for a job site like doostang in order to maintain the utmost quality?  Do you believe it is necessary to actively monitor users to ensure they should be allowed to participate in the site?

Some links:

http://www.gawker.com/topic/asmallworld-friendster-for-the-vip-set-022639.php

http://www.gawker.com/topic/sneaking-around-asmallworld -022731.php

http://www.gawker.com/topic/asmallworld-gets-even-smaller-022837.php

http://www.gawker.com/topic/asmallworld-gets-nasty-022924.php

Thanks! :)
Doug

Mareza's Reply:

Hi Doug,

Much thanks for the question and also for having me on MinorityRapport.com again. Really love your website and find it extremely useful.

I am actually a member of aSmallWorld.net. The beauty of social/professional networking is that you can have so many different spins of a similar thing - all of which add value in different areas. I joined aSmallWorld.net when you needed to be invited by just one member, which is the current Doostang model. Would be ten member invite system work for Doostang? Interesting question, and here are my thoughts:

- The higher you raise the bar for membership then the less diversity you get within your network. We need to define "quality." What is "quality?" Is it investment bankers? Is it non-profit people? Quality means different things to different people and by making Doostang so exclusive we would end up having too much quality down one vertical and not enough in many others.

- I think that by still having one person vouch for a new member, then you have a bar to ensure that that person isn't going to be an anonaly to the network. We at Doostang believe in laisser-faire networks, however if someone is consciously and continuously being inappropriate, then yes, we would definitely take action.

- One needs to also look at the personal side of things. If you are looking for a job, the last thing you want to do is have to go and find ten members to give you access to Doostang. Chances are if you are friends with one of our current members then you're suitable to join.

People should realize that you can have the whole network as large as possible, yet have exclusive groups within that network. You can form these groups generically through network growth. We're working on that right now on Doostang and this will become more apparent as Doostang grows.

Hope this helps. If any of your readers would like to try Doostang out, please have them send me an email at mareza-AT-doostang.com . We can hopefully invite them to Doostang Alpha.

Thanks again,

Mareza

Comments

[MatMari]

Hi!!
My name's Matteo and I need only two invites for aSmallWorld...
Can Someone help me?? pleaseeee!!!ehehe ;-)
Thanks a lot!!
My e-mail is matmari14@hotmail.com
Matteo

[Chiara]

Hi! How are you? I'm Chiara and I need two invitations to "a Small Word". I'm working in finance and I want to talk with other friends abroad.
Thank you very much,
Chiara

[Steve]

Need an invite to asmallworld for business & social neccessities. Please send over asap.

Thank You

[peter morgan]

aSmallworld is great..unfort. not that small any more..check out http://www.outorin.org

[Dave]

I need an invite to asmallworld.net could someone please send email me for information. I will greatly take care of you. Thanks in advance!

-Dave

[Hani]

I need an invitaion to small world, this is my email:hsalem@hotmail.com
Thank you so so so ,much :)

[Eden]

hmm, it would be nice to have an invite to see whats so great about it, eden.bradfield@gmail.com

thanks to whomever looks kindly upon my request ;)

[Brad]

I would like to connect with some people on asmallworld.com, an invitation would be greatly appreciated, Thanks..........email=tyrant77@gmail.com

[Filipp]

I need an invitaion to small world,

my email:filippo700@supereva.it

Thank you :)

[Gaurang]

Please send me invitation for asmallworld.net, email: gaurang.phadke@gmail.com

[nora]

Hi,

could someone send me an invitation to asmallworld.net?

I am working for a big advertising company and would be happy to join the network to connect with some friends.

Thanks....
Nora

[Sinan]

can someone send me an invitation too.
thanks.

let_me_trance@hotmail.com

[Max]

Hi everyone,

I , as many others, am looking for an invite to asmallworld.com im opening a modelling agency and think some networking could come in handy.

Thanks

maximilian_pizzi@hotmail.com

[eric]

Hi to everybody,

I'm working on New Media since 1995, I wolud love to share all my knowledge of barcelona, Balearic Islands, Spain, Kyoto and Tokio with all of asmallworld.net but I need to be a member. Could someone Invite me please?.

Passion for extreme sports, sail boats, scuba places, leisure ad bars, night clubs, restaurants, exclusive services and all that some one would love to know before a travel departure.

Bests regards,

Eric

[Oliver Thiele]

Hi together i am German student who studies in Madrid now... For having some new contacts here , can somebody send me an asmallworld invitation to following adress:

arteaga@gmx.de

Thanks, a lot
Danke,Tschüss, Ciao, Areviderci, Hasta luego, gracias, au revoir.... bye bye

[Rahul]

I want to join www.asmallword.net.Please can anyone send me invitation.I will be extemly thankful of the person who sends me an invitation.

[rahul]

my email address is rahuljrark@yahoo.com
please someone send me an invitation

[sandeep agarwal]

please someone send me the invitation for asmallworld.com
i really want to join it thanking u in advance.

[Giancarlo]

Hello everybody, I will work in London for 2 years I need to take contacts to find an apartment to live. Asmallworld looks great to find these contacts, please can anybody invite me: my email is giancarlo_amati@hotmail.it

thanks a lot

[Maggie]

Can someone send me an invite as well? Thanks!

[Jennifer Cristobal]

Me too! Please, Someone Please invite me to doostang and asmallworld.net. Many thanks.

jcc@superior-search.com

[Timo]

hi all, can someone invite me to asmallworld please. i will work for the next three years in London and i need to make some new contacts an business relations.

thanks

my adress is t.zimmermann.eu@gmx.de

[Francesca]

Would you be so kind as to send me an invitation? The fact is that it is the only way for me to get in touch with the most important person of my whole life.
It is a matter of great importance!!!

demori_francesca@yahoo.it

[Fred]

Hi,

Well, what can I say more, it seems everyone in here posts a request for asmallworld... well, it is also my reason.
I am the CEO of a starting company operating globally as a service provider and the reputation of a smallworld has reached me by chance. I hope to establish both professional as well as personal contacts through the network. An invitation would be greatly appreciated.

coutinho.fred@gmail.com

[Stefania]

I am a physician working and living in NYC. Could someone send me an invitation to asmallworld.net?
Thanks