I'm also a member of Ryze but I must be missing something. Lots of complete strangers want to add me as a friend (I'm not sure why since that ends up being the extent of contact which takes place afterward -unless they are trying to enlist me in their businesses which I'm not interested in anyway).
I have not experienced any benefit to my business and I think it's because members already have their niche carved out - they're all just like me...trying to find customers and additional associates - not additional business owners.
For idea exchange it can be beneficial I suppose. I only use the free version and do not have much time for it - so I'm sure it's just that I'm missing the whole concept somehow.