“We estimate there are half a billion professionals in the world. And, we’re at north of 60 million [members] today.” Those are the words of LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner. That means growth; that means opportunity; that means the more engaged a current user is now, the more benefit they will see moving into the future as the company continues to expand its reach.
Here’s the original article: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/24/technology/linkedin_social_networking.fortune which includes a video link about half-way down the page.
Really, what we’ve been talking about all along is being recognized by others. LinkedIn is a place for business professionals to network. It’s not a social network, although there
LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner
are a few social components, like listing interests. But think about what you talk about at work anyway. I find other music fans and sports car enthusiasts at work. We talk about the charities or professional associations that rock our world while we’re at the office, on a business lunch, etc.
Whether at work or in our personal lives, people want to connect on a human level. I think the brilliance of LinkedIn, is that it’s not just a place to store your resume. Rather, it is a place you can engage with and learn from and about other professionals interested in the same things you are interested in. It is a place you can find a dozen people to do business with, and then select the best based on a cultural fit. Its a place you can connect with people on a personal level and provide service and support to people who know you will “get them” because you speak the same language outside of work.
So, are you “On” LinkedIn, or do you just have a profile full of facts and data. If so, dust off that data, add some life, get engaged in the groups, answer a few questions, and breathe some life into the opportunities awaiting you on this growing and powerful platform. It can change your life. It did mine!
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