So OISE 2009, it has been a couple of weeks since you have updated your blog, what have you been up to?
I have been working on understanding better matters specific to social networking sites. As part of this exercise I have been focused on both Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook, I am sure most are familiar with as it receives a significant amount of press. LinkedIn however, is a social (business) networking site that is somewhat less well known and has been organized to assist (business) users in maintaining existing business relationships and establishing new business relationships. If you are interested in learning more about LinkedIn you may wish to visit the site.
http://www.linkedin.com/
OISE 2009 what have you (personally) found to be interesting or helpful about LinkedIn – this interest did not show up in your initial posting?
There are a couple of aspects specific to this site that are particularly interesting. First, LinkedIn does represent a useful tool for identifying and profiling business contacts who might have been previously unknown. For example, in my role at the Oracle Corporation I am responsible for planning, executing and completing software sales initiatives in at a diverse set of organizations. One of the more challenging aspects of this role is to identify the correct person to address at an organization with respect to initiating and developing a conversation specific to current organizational business problems or challenges. Very often I can I can quickly identify key business contacts using the resources of LinkedIn (for example, Software Architect, Data Management Specialist, Senior Programmer, Director of Information Technology) by simply examining the profiles for the contacts listed as being employed by a specific business or organization. The use of LinkedIn does simplify my job somewhat and removes some of the “up front” effort that was previously required to identify and then cultivate meaningful business relationships.
OISE 2009 is there more about LinkedIn that you found interesting and could share with us?
There is. Think about this. When establishing a LinkedIn profile registrants at are encouraged to provide information specific to not just their current job role and interests but also their job history and education. It is almost like a mini resume and can be very revealing (this is a very interesting trend). This information can be invaluable when working on (quickly) developing a meaningful business relationship. Think about this, in my role at Oracle more often than not I am calling people of interest with no prior introduction (this would be known as a cold call) or referral. With the information (job title, job history, education, interests) that is very often available at LinkedIn I can be so much better prepared to initiate and maintain a meaningful conversation. Leveraging the resources of LinkedIn can very often make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful sales call – and this is extremely important.
OISE 2009 I will visit LinkedIn and learn more about the site. I am curious however, to know more about how the information that is provided at LinkedIn may be leveraged by individuals such as yourself. Did you find any evidence that others are utilizing the resources of LinkedIn in a related or similar manner?
David Thew (Joint Managing Director, Intelligent Resources Ltd) has recently published an article specific to his use of LinkedIn for the purposes of assisting him in managing his executive recruitment business. I found this article to be very interesting – I am sure you will find it interesting as well.
http://bir.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/25/2/87
LinkedIn — a user's perspective
Using new channels for effective business networking
David Thew
Intelligent Resources Ltd, david@intelligentresources.com
Blogs, mailing lists and networking sites are much in the news, but how effective are they for business users? David Thew is Joint MD of an executive search and recruitment consultancy with an active need to identify and contact people on a targeted basis. In this article he profiles LinkedIn, the business networking membership site that has become a key channel for him and his staff. David looks at key features and benefits and also discusses areas where he feels there is room for improvement.
Key Words: business networks • executive search • online networking • search and ranking
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Internet and Social Life - Questions and Comments from OISE2009
OISE2009 what am I to expect from this commentary and why all the questions - this approach is a little different than I expected.
My objective in creating this blog is to initate some introductory level of dialog specific to a publication that I have recently had the opportunity to review - "The Internet and Social Life" by John Bargh and Katelyn McKenna. My initial impression is that the author’s objectives in researching, organizing and publishing this article is to assist the reader in better understanding some of the social implications that are evolving given the rapid (global) uptake of Internet technologies. In particular, the Bargh and McKenna are looking to assist us in appreciating why this particular innovation (the Internet) has represented such a powerful transformative social element for many of its subscribers. My personal feeling is that the author’s have made a reasonable effort to assist us in understanding how this new avenue of social interaction has facilitated like minded groups and individuals to establish new and increasingly meaningful social relationships -and the format (i.e. the questions)well they arose from some of my initial discussions with my peers at work. They came from a variety of sources and should set the stage for a follow up agenda.
So OISE2009, is there more? I suspect you have something more to say.
I believe however, the real story here is not just about the nature of the transformation but also about the rate of at which this transformation has and continues to occur. It is about the absolute (almost unimaginable) speed with which this change has occurred. In fairness to the authors, some refernce has been made to the “rate of technology uptake”, however I feel we need to examine what has occurred a little more closely if we are to truly appreciate the (historic) scale and scope of what has come about.
OISE2009, can you be a little more specific? Maybe something that I can (personally) relate to?
For the purposes of this section of my commentary I would like to refer the reader to some publically available statistics pertaining to the the social utility “Facebook”. Consider the following statistics and claims. By the way, you may reference this information directly from the Facebook website (link is provided).
Think about this - Facebook was launched in February 2004. As of February 2009 Facebook boasts over 150 million active users, who collectively are investing over 3 billion minutes each day browsing, communicating and contributing to Facebook sites. Users are constantly expanding their commitment to Facebook as they upload over 850 million photos and 5 million videos each month. Facebook is rapidly expanding its value to an increasingly diverse global audience with 35 translations available as of February 2009 and with an additional 60 in development.
OISE2009, I get the point. These are amazing statistics but given the limited time I can spend at this site would it be possible for you to provide me with a couple more take-aways from this commentary?
I would suggest that author’s Bargh and McKenna have provided an excellent introduction to the positive impact the Internet has represented to specific social groups (i.e. similar interests, similar values). Representatives from special interest groups can rapidly seek and establish relationships with like-minded individuals in geographically diverse settings with relative anonymity. The author’s have assisted us in understanding how social interaction within the framework of a limited bandwidth medium (face to face or voice to voice interactions are not required) allows participants to express thoughts and concerns with limited risk of public reprimand. The arguments positioned by Bargh and McKenna can assist us greatly in understanding and appreciating not just the popularity of the Internet but also the speed with which its adoption has occurred.
OISE2009, if I want to learn more about Facebook statistics what link to I use?
http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics
OK OISE 2009 I am getting closer to better understanding your position. Would it be possible for you to help me understand a little more about researcher John Bargh and his area of interest? Maybe as a start you could just point me to his web site and suggest were I could go to learn more about John's area of interest.
John Bargh's lines of research focus on unconscious influences in judgments and social behavior, including unconscious motivations and goal pursuits (as per Bargh's website). My understanding is that Bargh has most focused on the automatic link between social perception and social behavior, which creates (this is apparently one of Bargh's primary arguments) tendencies for people to behave similarly to those around them, without realizing they are doing so - seems quite interesting and is probably worth a look when time permits.
http://mba.yale.edu/faculty/profiles/bargh.shtml
Chain of Reviews: Annual Reviews chapters connected to this topic
Most recent citing papers (via CrossRef)
http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141922
OISE2009 what am I to expect from this commentary and why all the questions - this approach is a little different than I expected.
My objective in creating this blog is to initate some introductory level of dialog specific to a publication that I have recently had the opportunity to review - "The Internet and Social Life" by John Bargh and Katelyn McKenna. My initial impression is that the author’s objectives in researching, organizing and publishing this article is to assist the reader in better understanding some of the social implications that are evolving given the rapid (global) uptake of Internet technologies. In particular, the Bargh and McKenna are looking to assist us in appreciating why this particular innovation (the Internet) has represented such a powerful transformative social element for many of its subscribers. My personal feeling is that the author’s have made a reasonable effort to assist us in understanding how this new avenue of social interaction has facilitated like minded groups and individuals to establish new and increasingly meaningful social relationships -and the format (i.e. the questions)well they arose from some of my initial discussions with my peers at work. They came from a variety of sources and should set the stage for a follow up agenda.
So OISE2009, is there more? I suspect you have something more to say.
I believe however, the real story here is not just about the nature of the transformation but also about the rate of at which this transformation has and continues to occur. It is about the absolute (almost unimaginable) speed with which this change has occurred. In fairness to the authors, some refernce has been made to the “rate of technology uptake”, however I feel we need to examine what has occurred a little more closely if we are to truly appreciate the (historic) scale and scope of what has come about.
OISE2009, can you be a little more specific? Maybe something that I can (personally) relate to?
For the purposes of this section of my commentary I would like to refer the reader to some publically available statistics pertaining to the the social utility “Facebook”. Consider the following statistics and claims. By the way, you may reference this information directly from the Facebook website (link is provided).
Think about this - Facebook was launched in February 2004. As of February 2009 Facebook boasts over 150 million active users, who collectively are investing over 3 billion minutes each day browsing, communicating and contributing to Facebook sites. Users are constantly expanding their commitment to Facebook as they upload over 850 million photos and 5 million videos each month. Facebook is rapidly expanding its value to an increasingly diverse global audience with 35 translations available as of February 2009 and with an additional 60 in development.
OISE2009, I get the point. These are amazing statistics but given the limited time I can spend at this site would it be possible for you to provide me with a couple more take-aways from this commentary?
I would suggest that author’s Bargh and McKenna have provided an excellent introduction to the positive impact the Internet has represented to specific social groups (i.e. similar interests, similar values). Representatives from special interest groups can rapidly seek and establish relationships with like-minded individuals in geographically diverse settings with relative anonymity. The author’s have assisted us in understanding how social interaction within the framework of a limited bandwidth medium (face to face or voice to voice interactions are not required) allows participants to express thoughts and concerns with limited risk of public reprimand. The arguments positioned by Bargh and McKenna can assist us greatly in understanding and appreciating not just the popularity of the Internet but also the speed with which its adoption has occurred.
OISE2009, if I want to learn more about Facebook statistics what link to I use?
http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics
OK OISE 2009 I am getting closer to better understanding your position. Would it be possible for you to help me understand a little more about researcher John Bargh and his area of interest? Maybe as a start you could just point me to his web site and suggest were I could go to learn more about John's area of interest.
John Bargh's lines of research focus on unconscious influences in judgments and social behavior, including unconscious motivations and goal pursuits (as per Bargh's website). My understanding is that Bargh has most focused on the automatic link between social perception and social behavior, which creates (this is apparently one of Bargh's primary arguments) tendencies for people to behave similarly to those around them, without realizing they are doing so - seems quite interesting and is probably worth a look when time permits.
http://mba.yale.edu/faculty/profiles/bargh.shtml
Chain of Reviews: Annual Reviews chapters connected to this topic
Most recent citing papers (via CrossRef)
http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141922
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