LinkedIn Changes the World

There is nothing new under the sun.  For LinkedIn that means, now that they have reached a certain level of success measured by number of users and a certain level of engagement, it’s time to focus.

For LinkedIn, that means niche applications.  They now have 16 apps; the new ones today are game changers.

Legal Updates

Consider how powerful having business intelligence in the form of a constant stream of current legal commentary is for a business owner, a professional, a consultant that is focused on the topic or industry of their choice.

The app is powered by JD Supra, a powerful online tool that, when partnered with the app allows lawyers to include a portfolio of their written work on their LinkedIn profile. That same work is available in a searchable, repository of legal information. Individual lawyers and law firms can be added to feeds.

All documents enjoy the viral qualities of the LinkedIn network: they can be shared (to groups, individuals, or as status updates), recommended, or added to a Favorites list for later reference.

Also, for lawyers, many of whom are trying to figure out how to make LinkedIn work for them, it is an opportunity to network. They can use the app to engage their own connections with meaningful content – but they can also distribute BEYOND their network to exactly the people they should be meeting: professionals in their fields and industries they serve.

Everyone gets useful legal information that matters to them – a real business advantage – and lawyers get unparalleled exposure for their substantive work and expertise.

Here is a video outlining the application.

Creative Portfolio Display

I had to run home and check out the other apps. I emailed out photographer, Neil McKenzie, who writes for the Colorado Business Magazine and has recently started his own blog to provide solid business content for those in creative professions. I knew he would do the topic justice. I didn’t expect him to have a blog post done before I could finish dinner!

Here’s what he has to say about this app developed by Behance

Real Estate Pro

Real Estate Pro by Rofo keeps you “informed about the local commercial real estate and office space market. Follow active brokers and professionals, track new property listings and see the latest deals in your area.”

You can see that the focus on these niche communities (adding to the previous success of the SAP Community Bio app) changes the world for members of LinkedIn, adding powerful tools that go beyond the networking and engagement, taking LinkedIn to new heights as a powerful business tool.

Now it’s your turn. Leave a comment about how you think this news will change the LinkedIn world.

(NOTE: I had the honor of talking to Adrian Lurssen, VP of Stratregic Business Development at JD Supra. Since I was driving, he was kind enough to follow up with an email outling the power of the application.  I modified his material for inclusion in this blog post with his permission. For more information, read their blog post here.)

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