Business Development Blog: The Value of LinkedIn As a Cross Network Platform

The Value of LinkedIn As a Cross Network Platform

Posted on 4:02 PM No Comments
Labels: Bob Denton, business development, competition, linkedin, networking, Networks, Prime Connexions, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce

I had a conversation today with a colleague of mine, Bob Denton, from Prime Connexions.

We were talking about the value of LinkedIn and LinkedIn-Centric events and the potential for being perceived as a "threat" that established organizations could conceivably experience in relationship to those events.

It struck me that LinkedIn is one of those platforms that not only allows users to strategically build their own "personal" networks, but it allows them to really explore the organizations that they already belong to.

Take the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce for example. There are nearly 2000 members to the organization. Some participate at a very high level, some come to networking events, some participate only at special events. All in all - they have the potential to derive lots of value from their membership.

Now think about adding LinkedIn to the mix. Not only are they going to have the benefit of their Chamber membership, but they will also be able to connect with ALL the chamber members - even the ones who don't attend events. They can search that network to find connections within their current Chamber membership and further unlock the value of that network.

To me, that's a HUGE win. Think about it. Actually being able to get to know other Chamber members and to create relationships with people because of a third party platform.

Further, coming to a LinkedIn Centric event allows people to get access to the ENTIRE Chamber (tier 2 connections) even if they belong to say another organization. If that other organization doesn't have what the attendee needs, a quick invitation and a connection unlocks the door to quick and easy access to the needed resources.

It should work like this in real life - but unfortunately it doesn't, for the most part. People are busy. They need what they need when they need it. LinkedIn simply makes it easier - across networks - to find what they are looking for.

It's my intention to help educate all the networks in my community about LinkedIn and how it can truly unlock the value of the networks they maintain.