Linked In
I was just wondering today what is this linked-in good for. I have plenty of contacts, about 77 right now, there are now new groups like Switzerland, OCP/OCE, OCM, Bloggers, Database, and others. Well, many people have many thousands of contacts.
I do not know what LinkedIn is good for. I think it may be useful if a future customer or employer is looking for a reference and know somebody I know too. But well, I am not too sure.
I tried this afternoon to clean up a bit my network (it may sound rude), and I deleted the Linked In Open Networkers (LION). I thought it just growed my network way too much.
I also removed contacts that do not show their connection, as I think it is an unfair deal. There should be an option like : “Do not show your connections to your contacts that hide their own”. Maybe there is. Well, those I deleted.
I hope I did not offense my former contacts, I apologize if someone feel hurted.
Just my two swiss cents on social networking 
Anyway, if you know me and if you want to connect to me, click here :
I conpsider it a “social network” for grown up. Kids & teenages start with facebook or myspace. Grown up use linkedin. Much more serious stuff.
But like you, I wonder what it is used for. I got some request from head hunters (denied). Some of my friends use it a lot. Some have 500 or even 1000 connections. They must spend quite some time to manage that. I only have connection of people who ask me to connect to.
In my case, it gives me a convenient way to keep in touch with former co-workers, as well as with people (very important people!) that I meet at industry events.
I know what you mean. I wonder all the time what the point is and I’m sure I’ll delete my account some time soon.
I like to read the “Answers” sections. Both questions and answers are often interesting (under Technology, Computer sw, …). Otherwise is a waste of time.
By the way, I searched your profile and I have discovered we are already linked, I didn’t know that (I live in Ticino and have a RAC).
Laurent, I have also asked myself this question. I have not arrived at any good answer.
There are people with “500+” connections. I hope they have an answer! (otherwise what are they doing?)
I used it to keep in touch with former colleagues/co-workers as well as folks that I’d met at conferences/convetions/training.
My list of contacts are limited to professional dealings only. Friends are listed elsewhere although there are friends who are connected to me in a professional manner too so these are listed in LinkedIn.
I don’t spend a lot of time managing the contacts and every so often I get invites/offers from head hunters and organizations which is okay since it also keeps me in the loop for what’s happening in the job market. Never know when you will need it.
You don’t need LinkedIn for folks that you interact with frequently as that is part of your daily work life but if you moved or switch employment, it’s one way of keeping everybody informed by one update of your profile.
Happy new year Peter, I mostly agree with your comment, but headhunters that are collecting connection just to be in the top of linked-in are not welcome in my list.
Laurent,
Happy New Year! Agreed. The usual stuff that I get from headhunters are job opportunities/queries whether I would be interested in an opening that they have. I normally look at these to see what they are and whether I know of anyone who might be interested and forward to them (not the headhunters) if I think that it might be of interest to them so they can connect with the headhunters if they wish to.
I do get a number of invites from former colleagues looking to reconnect so that the key for me in using LinkedIn.
Peter
ps I got to do more blogging this year and be consistent with it. *Sigh*