Using LinkedIn.com for other than networking?

I got a mail from a friend, who had been contemplating about the powers
of LinkedIn.com. In response to his e-mail I wrote quite a lengthy
answer, of which I've decided to publish this edited extract, which I
hope you will find interesting:

... from the setup's (LinkedIn's) nature I deduce both advantages and drawbacks.

On the one hand it is a powerful tool to find the personal(& professional) connections you never knew you had, but also to find names of important people in specific organisations, which are not disclosed elsewhere.

For instance, if I want to get in touch with the Global Brand Manager in Allied Domecq who are now merging with Pernod Ricard, I simply search for "Allied Domecq", and a wide number of managers are listed along with descriptions of their background, one of these is Michelle Audette, Global Brand Manager. Such information can be extremely useful in situation of negotiation e.g. identifying an entry point, starting negotiations, introducing a business deal, finding potential candidates for a specific job, or preparing for an attempt to get a job in that company with this person. All this information is readily available - even without having to being referred by contacts and contacts' contacts.

So, in general terms I think it is an excellent tool for preparing yourself before making contact with another important business professional, whatever the situation might be: semi-formal lunch, sales, contractual negotiations, job interviews, trade shows, conferences etc.

It can also be used for gathering HR market intelligence on competitors. You might develop certain aspects of your strategy based on the 'strengths and weaknesses' (/ capabilities) of the key-managers of your largest competitor(s), if you believe that individuals can be directly accredited with the success or failure of that company.

Of course, one should bear in mind that people are likely to present only what they desire should be read by the world, so truthfulness might be scarce in some cases.

A drawback that a friend of mine mentioned was that gossip travels fast in such a forum. I would agree with him: Though good news travels fast, bad news travels faster. So he advised caution, if you use the network for finding a new job. If four people (by referral) find out that an executive from "BIG BIZ A" is looking to switch to "BIGGER BIZ B" then such news will not go unnoticed; then the effect will not simply move like a path through a pyramid, this piece of news might well spread as rings in water.

If you see further alternatives for using LinkedIn, I'd love to have
your comments too!

Consequenses of "Non", Ver. 2

Apparently views change quickly regarding what effect it has on
businesses in the EU that the French rejected the new EU treaty. I've
seen several headlines today that say stocks haven't been badly
affected, because the "Non" had been anticipated far in advance. This
view is of course in conflict with what I posted yesterday.

I suspect that only time will tell the truth. So I will get back to this
topic later on. First lets see how the referendum in The Nederlands
turns out.

Consequences of French "Non!"

To follow up on my previous post it does seem that the stock market has reacted negatively in Europe to the French "Non!".

FT. com: European assets fall ...
JP.dk: Det franske nej stopper væksten i EU

France said No?

I can't help but wondering what is going to happen in Europe, now that the French people woted "No" to the new EU treaty. It brings nervousness and hesitation into international business, and I feel convinced that we will see a reaction tomorrow from the stock markets around Europe - and guessing that the reaction will not positive, isn't a risky bet!

Here are links to some recent news about France's "No":

BBC News (UK): French voters reject EU charter
Liberation (F): Un non écrasant
Jyllands-Posten (DK): Dyb krise efter fransk nej til traktaten

I guess we will be much wiser, after the forthcoming EU summit in two weeks time.

LinkedIn: Your Network

I've been signed up at LinkedIn for ages. I didn't really give it much credit and thought: "A buddy site for yuppies".

I was right - and I was wrong. It is so much more than that. Yesterday morning I had two contacts. Today I have 15. But that's not the key point. You'll get the point below.

LinkedIn: "Your Network of Trusted Professionals"

You are at the center of your LinkedIn Network. Your connections can help you make contact with 364,800 professionals — here’s how your network breaks down:

Your (MY) Connections

• Your (MY) trusted friends and colleagues: 15
• Two degrees away, Friends-of-friends;
  each is connected to one of your connections: 181
• Three degrees away, Reach them through a friend
  and then one of their friends: 14,200
• Four degrees away, The broadest group,
  reach them through a chain of referrals: 350,400
• Total users contactable through a trusted referral: 364,800

I think that's powerful and I have already discovered links to influencial professionals that I never knew I had.

Am I paid to propaganda this? I wish. No, I just genuinely think this is a powerful online networking tool. A bit like Blogger.com is powerful when it comes to weblogs. Have a look at their website, but realise that its true powers will not become evident until you have made some contacts of yourself on LinkedIn.

Hannspree's Internationalisation

A casual chat developed into an interesting discussion about the internationalisation of Hannspree, which is the company Leo my friend from Taiwan works for as Marketing Specialist.

If you check you their website the page "HOME" automatically reloades with different product images. They call it 360-degree design, and their product are indeed designed all way roud, whereas most other TVs and other screens only look good from the front. Since it is a flash site it isn't the easiest thing to pulish photos of their products here, so you'll really have to take a look for yourself...but I'll go great lengths to please you, so follow the thumnails:




The big questions were:

• What is the market potential for these product?
• What needs are they really serving?
  
• How would consumers in Japan, Europe and the US each see these TVs?

The discussion isn't over yet, but it has been a good one so far. I'll ask Leo first, but if he agrees I'll post an edited version of our MSN Messenger dialogue as a comment to this post!

I can only see these TVs in childrens' rooms and with young teenageers, perhaps with the exception of the "CelloTV". Otherwise I don't believe that Europeans and Americans would equip their home with such TVs if not for their kids. Why do I say this? Is it not good for the kids. Sure, but the story goes on: It is not for kids!

Hannspree see/market themselves as (See Hannspree):

• A Design-Centric Lifestyle Brand
• 360-Degrees of Difference
• Emotional Connection
• Find Yourself in Handspree

...but just because they say so that doesn't make it so!

Prices roar at around 1000 USD for a 15" screen, which is massive, since a basic screen can be bought for 1/3 that price. Leo told me that they target an affluent market of Yuppies ("They're to old now Leo!") and such... in Europe and The US in the near future.

Would you pay that for such a TV, whoever you are? I told Leo "No". There is something there that doesn't fit, doesn't make sense.

I believe that there is a market for such products, but Hanspree is likely to be targetting the wrong segment, as I see it. If they squeeze prices and market to a younger audience, then they'll stand a chance. I do belive that they will be able to charge a premium over competitors, who have just ordinary screens, but with the prices they have now, I have difficulty seing how these products will find a steady foothold in the market for consumer electronics.

In Hanspree's defence I should say that I've only see about half a dusin of their products, and with a better overview of their portfolio, I might change my mind, but as I see it now, I believe that an alteration of their market strategy is recommendable.

But please challenge my view. I encourage you to do so! Post a comment!

What's to come

It has been quite demanding setting up this blog, and the two others I've made: Eliksir and My Story (See the right sidebar). I must have spent 40-50 hours so far: studying blog stuff on Blogger Help, which is great by the way, and customising my template to fit my exact wants. I hope you like it!

The next posts will be about Leo's company in Taiwan that export TVs with 360-degree design and Sasa's company in Slovenia that want to learn from the business model of a Danish mobile operator.

I wonder it visitors will be plentyfull? I've been updating my network. Telling everybody that I am still alive and that I want them to join LinkedIn, which is a great place for organising professional contacts and making new ones.

My "first" post of my first blog!

I found out about blogger through Google's Options website. I had been looking for something like this for ages, and it's just what I've always wanted:

• Somewhere to let my ideas run amok!
• A place that's easy to get to - for me, but especially for you!
• A forum that's mine, for me to spill my guts and for you to hate or to love!

What is AMOK IDEA?

[Amok] - Wildly; without self-control

European colonists brought home the word after frightening clashes with the Malay. In a state of combined passion and semi-voluntary insanity a Malay, screaming “Amok, Amok!”, would release his uncontrollable emotions onto anyone in his reach. Sometimes running amok simply seemed the only right thing to do.

[Idea] - A mental representation or formulation

Ideas come from within. Some are spontaneous, some come from inspiration. Only an open mind will spring unique ideas and embrace the multifaceted. The best are products of genius and serendipity.

[Kim M.] - My label of identity, name, or simply Me

At heart a peaceful man, I believe my persona embodies AMOK IDEA. Letting your ideas run amok is the only right thing to do – unleashing your full intellectual and creative potential. A true international marketeer, I share my ideas with those who dare; professionals and academics alike, supplying metaphysical fuel for success.