An Understated Hero: How LinkedIn Is A Global Village Of Goodwill

By Andrew Ballenthin October 20, 2009 President, Sol Solutions Biography

Connect.Follow.Network.

Free: job posting, surveys, networking, search engine profiling, news posting, supplier and client matching, group discussions and much more. Where? LinkedIn. For who? Over 50 million members. Wow... when you think about it LinkedIn has an online population greater than Australia or Spain all engaging in "free trade". That's a huge amount of commerce with no strings attached.

For many LinkedIn is an online rolodex for keeping track of your business contacts. For others it's the occassional place to drop-in to check for job posts or seek advice in group discussions. For sales people it's one of the best resources for researching a prospect's background and looking for leads. But... have you ever stopped to think about how much commerce and opportunity goes on everyday in this global village?

One way to find out is by sharing your story. Let's send a thank-you to the hardworking team at LinkedIn in Mountain View California by talking about what LinkedIn has meant to you. Please comment below with your own story about how you have benefited from this understated hero.

Personally I'm thankful to LinkedIn for:
- Finding new clients
- The best source of traffic for sharing my blogs (over 85,000 page views in 10 months)
- Finding 10 writers who have joined this blog
- Learning from hundreds of comments from those who participated in Discussions
- Finding partners and connections that have become valuable strategic alliances
- Gaining press connections and interviewing with The Wall Street Journal This Morning
- Being contacted by Pearson and closing a deal for writing a book in 2009
- Helping others by sharing information and networking
- Growing over 5,000 new direct connections in 2009 on LinkedIn
- and much more

What's your story? What has LinkedIn done for you as an individual, your career, your cause or your company? Share your comment below. After this week I'll notify LinkedIn management of this blog and pass your thanks on to their team.

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Comments from LinkedIn Members


Just this week I landed a new client through LinkedIn. Thank you, LI. 
Mary Tod, Ph.D. - Editor and proofreader at Dr. Tod Editing Services


LinkedIn has allowed me to reconnect with many past co-workers and friends. It has also inspired me to upload a complete professional profile that can easily be transferred into a resume, if need be, as well as to obtain many wonderful references from the aforementioned individuals and present co-workers also. I am quite happy with my current career, but in these difficult times, it pays to be prepared. Lastly, LinkedIn has connected me with many like-minded individuals with whom I have enjoyed many great e-conversations. The only downside to LinkedIn that I can see is that I think I may be slightly addicted, LOL
Andrea Blackford - Right-of-Way Agent at Sarasota County Real Property


Easy and quick connectability to other professionals. Joining discussions. Asking and answering questions. It is just beginning.
Frank Scotti - Presenter at Whizbang Creative Seminars, Chief Idea Officer at Whizbang, Author, Consultant, Artist


For job searching, LinkedIn has been invaluable and worked just like it is supposed to do. On 3 occasions, I applied on line through a company's web site. In these situations, one often loses their resume formatting, since it cannot upload a PDF. Through LinkedIn, I have been able to get my resume and cover letter into the "right hands", resulting in the initial interview.
Steve Wezerek - International MBA - Sales Executive - Direct & Channel Sales of Products and Solutions - Spanish Speaking


Added new and valuable business associates during my search. The information and connections are eye-opening in some instances... Great resource for all new and veteran members...Thanks
Bob Cavagnaro - VP of Sales and Marketing in CPG looking to utilize my expertise to create a profitable and sustainable business unit.


It has facilitated great social networking, fine discussions, interesting debates, cultivated business partnerships and relationships. The sharing of interesting business information.
Allows one to grow their confidence and find their voice if you find the correct Network Group that supports this. What you put in you get out, occasionally you may have to try out a few Networks to find the one that suits you best.
Mostly for me, it has been a lot of fun.
Imelda McGrattan - Sales Strategist


Social Media in general has expanded exposure for my business like no other medium has or can... however, LinkedIn has been far more productive in creating "real" alliances and opportunities for future business. Once I learned how to truely use the power of LinkedIn- I was off to the races. I have met- both online and offline- professionals of all industries who have been interesting, insightful as well as so willing to help.
When I conduct LinkedIn training sessions, I describe LinkedIn as networking on steroids. Think of it as walking into a networking function as you normally would- but with millions of people to connect with. The key to success on LInkedIn is to create meaningful alliances while also being a resource for others.
Kathleen Dorsey - SEO/ Social Media Strategist, Trainer & Speaker / Founder ROMG's Women In Business Group/Board Member NAWBO and ROMG


It has facilitated Getting closer to people, through various modes,nothing great than Relationship Building.
Amit Kumar Garg - Retail Professional with Diverse Exposure


Many, many benefits and kudos to LinkedIn for reaching the 50 million mark. How awesome is that!
Here are a few of my benefits:
- Generating new business leads, many of which have become clients
- Finding new thought leaders and big thinkers
- Keeping my finger on the pulse of industries in real-time
- Finding people with common interest who would never have been part of my life before LI
I send all of my colleagues to LinkedIn and have taught many people how to use the services for meaningful business development. Thanks, LinkedIn, and Thanks Andrew for collecting these comments.
Kae Groshong Wagner - President, North Star Marketing, National Speaker, Author, Star Speakers Founder


I'm honestly not sure. I have valued the discussions etc.. but have not yet had any financial pay off from my involvement with LinkedIn. I have been involved for a year or more.
Miriam Pia Larrison Okrongli Smith - Freelance Writer


It has allowed me to connect with people who share my enthusiasm for success.
Alex A. Kecskes - SEO web content & articles writer/journalist


Well I have met a boatload of talented people on this site. I have place my music in a few music libraries. Met a screenwriter that i might collaborate with. Met a wonderful person in Thiland looking to get my music placed overseas. LinkedIn is an awesome place. Plus I have posted many a "silly" post but alwasy recieved wonderful advice of of it! Thanks LinkedIn.
Michael Trapp - Guitarist/Vocalist for CrimsonFaced, also a philosopher, film composer, geek, singer, songwriter, musical genius :-)...


I have managed to re-establish links I thought I'd lost - which has resulted in several invitations to events and introductions to new opportunities.
Tim Lea - Working Capital Specialist. Partner at Cash Stream Financial.


I'm thankful for:
- Being able to create a group of approximately 3,000 high-level business executives and marketing professionals around the world to advance best practices in "Corporate Planning & Global Industry Segmentation"
Alan S. Michaels - President, eCompetitors Inc


Linkedin has been a very valuable tool for my business. I’m based in Singapore running a boutique PR company and have been contacted through Linkedin by companies from the US, UK, Australia and other parts of Asia.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some major clients who I would never normally had access too. As well as form some strategic alliances with other small PR companies in other countries.
I’ve also been able to make recommendations for people and help their business; connect people all around the world and to receive valuable testimonials. The individuals on Linkedin are all professionals and take both their business and other businesses seriously.
On a personal note, I’ve joined some groups that support my favourite causes and been able to share news and brainstorm on a range of topics from conservation to environmental issues.
Put simply Linkedin is terrific!
Linda Ruck - Director Linda Ruck Communications, Public Relations & Branding, Journalist, Events, Media Campaigns


Kudos to you for coordinating a thank you note to the great folks at LinkedIn! Not enough people say thank you these days, so thank YOU for taking the time to do this.
I'm reading your blog post now. Rock on!
Melanie Deardorff - Vice President, Marketing, J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services


Within 30 days, I learned information that I didn't know about contacts that I have known for years... I met and have begun networking with contacts that I would never have met without Linkedin, and I have been able to network connections for my son in a field that I know little about. Pretty amazing.. and I have gotten a job offer. Amazing!
MJ Reynolds - Independent Writer, Editor, Media Promoter


My business has totally changed course because of it, and by that I mean because of demand, I now train on LinkedIn, both public workshops and within companies. It is a very powerful and under utilised tool.
Linda Coles - Owner, Social Media Trainer, Speaker and SEO Consultant at Blue Banana Ltd


A great way to stay in touch with my former colleagues, clients and co-workers in a non-intrusive way
Roberto Gerdes - Principal at My CMO


On one occasion I found the right person for the job through LinkedIn, and it's been useful making connections. I WISH however that when people post notices, jobs etc. that there was a field that forced them to say where they are based - not everyone on LinkedIn is in the US, yet a lot of people posting assume you are.
Miranda Harrison - Head of Editorial and Production


I have been approached more than once with employment opportunities. While none have yet resulted in employment, clearly LI provided the opportunity, which is just what it aims to do.
Monica Rodriguez - Technologically savvy editor of educational texts


Andrew, I'd be lost without LinkedIn. Quite simply, it is essentially my professional home page. I probably spend more time searching on LinkedIn than I do on Google.
I am thankful for the ability to create and cultivate my network, to find and connect (and stay connected!) with new and old contacts, to be found by potential partners, clients and employers, to research companies of interest and seek connections there, to read and participate in discussions on innumerable topics of interest with thoughtful professionals around the world, to request and provide information, advice and contacts, to join and participate in groups, to create and build an alumni network for my former employer that has helped our members succeed.
Thanks, LinkedIn!
Larry Robiner - Experienced Business Development Executive and Strategic Marketing Consultant


I've built an on-line resume allowing former bosses and former/current clients to easily give me recommendations.
Pat Fischer - Writer / Editor / Print and Web / Marketing Communications: with a passion for customer focus


Where to start? LinkedIn has allowed me to re-new some long lost professional relationships, make new ones and enter into some ealthy arguments about every facets of the business, Although we (the members) are not always in agreement about everything, it is good to see other people poit of view and sometimes, learn that yoy might be just wrong. And just for that, it is all worth it.
Frenchy Gloder - MD,Flicknife Records/MG2MUSIC


Linked In is now part of my daily business life. It has allowed me to meet people, all be it virtually. Created business opportunities and provided tons of invaluable information. Best of all through the site I ave been able to prove and confirm that product design and definition and product acceptance on a world wide basis.
With Linked In the World is a smaller place and working across boarders is suddenly easy.
Mark Alford - Director at StorePOINT International Ltd


I have re-connected with colleagues that I lost touch with years ago and now that I'm connected with them through LinkedIn, it is much less likely that I will lose touch with them again.
If LinkedIn had been available before I left school, my first level network would be enormous, never mind my second and third levels.
David Houston - Development Centre Manager at SkillSoft


I am relatively new to this group. But in the short span of time, I have been connected to many great people from various corners of the world. Results are yet to come.
Pavithran Kandy - General Manager at Shriram EPC Limited


I have managed to re-establish links I thought I'd lost - which has resulted in several invitations to events and introductions to new opportunities.
Tim Lea - Working Capital Specialist. Partner at Cash Stream Financial.

Comments

[Vasundhara (Vasu) Shastry]

Thanks to the founding members of LinkedIn, without a doubt it is the pioneer of the networking up-surge and brought the professionals into "One-Linked-World".

Value of LinkedIn is a vast list. It is hard to imagine life without it and thanks to the team, it is getting better day-by-day with all new app additions. Keep it up!

[Bruce Weiner]

One of the most valuable things that LI has done is restore my faith in people. Over the years, I have come to believe that everyone was out for themselves. Professionally speaking, to survive you needed to beat the other guy/gal -- to win at all costs.

The support, understanding and teamwork shown by members of LI is remarkable. And while each of us must fend for ourselves, LI proves that we're all in this together. Bottomline: the better you do, the better I do. And vice versa!

[Bree Young]

Several months ago, we obtained a large brokerage firm as a client via LinkedIn by simply requesting a connection with a broker at the firm(after finding a common person of contact that neither of us knew we had), my company has now become one of their contractors. A feat that over 8 years of marketing was unable to achieve, LinkedIn connected us! I am a huge supporter and advocate of LinkedIn!
Many many thanks LinkedIn.

[Ray Brown]

I moved from Scotland to Australia 4 years ago with my family. I am in my fifties so it was daunting to start again (with two new businesses) and no network in Melbourne. Linkedin has been a big help in creating a new network (I have over 100 connections now), it has been a great research tool and has helped to grow my businesses. Thanks linkedin

[Ted Morris]

Nice, thoughtful post on LinkedIn. I like the way LinkedIn synergises w/Twitter. Most recently, people I connect with on Twitter are also interested in connecting via LinkedIn and vice versa. Nice convergence of applications leading to a stronger, tighter business network -one of those rare instances of 1+1=3. Thanks to both LinkedIn and Andrew Ballenthin.

[Andrew Jenkins]

LinkedIn played a role in my meeting Andrew Ballenthin and becoming a contributor to the Community Marketing Blog.

LinkedIn has helped me establish international business relationships that have led to projects and collaborations that would not have been impossible otherwise.

In the spirit of goodwill, LinkedIn has also enabled me to make introductions/connections for people and help them in their endeavours.

Once people understand the power of the network,cprovided they are willing to make the effort, they will see some amazing examples of goodwill and generosity.

Thank you LinkedIn.

[Zulfiqar Deo]

In my case, I gained exposure to any sector of business where I needed advice and could help out. My MBA thesis has been based on the feed back from various Linked In groups. It has helped to accelerate my learning on my MBA course by allowing me access to members who are area specialists, where one day I gain exposure to the theory and the next day someone on Linked In can highlight how it varies from their experiences, usually not much.