online social networks and the 2 c is competitive intelligence & collaborative innovation
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Competitive Intelligence &
Collaborative Innovation
By Rob Duncan
Copyright Rob Duncan 2009 1
Our Agenda
So what is all this social networking stuff?
Is it really useful for business or is it waste of time?
What are the key tools?
Intelligence gathering or collaboration?
Okay, I’m on there – now what?
Where are the hidden treasures on LinkedIn?
How can I make the most of my LinkedIn network?
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Your SpeakerRob Duncan
Director, BCIT Centre for Applied Research & Innovation
Author of:
Haul Away! Teambuilding Lessons from a Voyage around Cape Horn (2005)
Competitive Intelligence: Fast, Cheap & Ethical (2008)
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Two Different “CI”s
Competitive Intelligence
Collaborative Innovation
Is the business world evolving from one to the other?
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Networking is not new!
Why we network
Strength of weak ties
Enabling technologies
Reed’s 3rd law
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Why collaboration matters
Harvard study (scientific problem)
Social media is changing business
Lines are blurring
The customer is on your design team
And your competitor’s!
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Online Social Networks The usual suspects:
Special purpose:
Ning
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Online Social Networks...
Some are good for intelligence gathering (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
Some are more collaborative (LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning)
Let’s have a tour...
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LinkedIn Intelligence:
Executive profiling
Who is connected to who?
Groups = tribes
Q&A
Collaboration:
Weak ties
Small favours
Large networks
Groups = expert pools
Q&A
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Facebook Intelligence:
Personal life
Friends
Friends of friends
Habits
Interests
Collaboration:
Life outside the suit
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Twitter Intelligence:
Tribes
Interests
Location
Activities
Who follows them
Who they follow
Collaboration:
Live blogging events
Meet-ups
Emergent situations
Promote self, blog etc.
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Ning (CI example)
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Ning (CI example) Intelligence
Who is busy?
Who is looking?
New business ideas
New products
State of the industry
Discussions
Collaboration
Strategic alliances
Work sharing
Staff sourcing
Discussions
Global reach
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A deeper dive into LinkedIn
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What is LinkedIn? An online social network for professionals
Profiles
Connections
Introductions
Q&A
Status
Recommendations
Groups
30+ million people and growing fast
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Getting onto LinkedIn Go to www.linkedin.com
Sign up (free)
Set up profile Name, title
Photo
Work history
Education
Speciality areas & skills
Interests, hobbies, awards
Your websites or blogs
Contact preferences
Get involved...get active!
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Be a good LinkedIn citizen Full profile with photo
Build your network – add connections
Ask & answer questions
Give and seek recommendations
Update status frequently
Join groups and participate in discussions
Help others: “what’s in it for them?”
Be a giver not a taker
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The Power of Profile
Put everything in there!
Your photo makes you real
High school, past jobs, interests all matter: they build bridges
TIP: Use descriptors that are easily searched e.g. “new product designer”
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The Power of ConnectionsCrucial decision: stay small or go big?
Small networks can keep it intimate & local, but…
Big networks exponentially increase your reach
Your entire network will see your status, questions, answers
TIP: Click on “OpenLinkenabled” to announce your willingness to connect
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The Power of Q&AAsk strategic questions
Answer questions frequently and generously; think of yourself last
Put a Weblink in your answers (draw people to your Website, books, or blog)
Earn expertise rewards & build reputation
TIP: Visit Q&A daily and answer as many questions as you can, insinuating your web address where possible
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The Power of RecommendingRecognize someone you respect
Don’t be shy: request recommendations
Put all past employers in your profile and seek recommendations for each one
TIP: Don’t “drown” your profile in recommendations – 5-10 good ones is plenty
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The Power of Status
Let your world know what you are up to
Be strategic (“Rob is looking for entrepreneurs to assist”)
Update it frequently
TIP: Keep “stock” ones handy (e.g. “looking for new clients”)
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The Power of GroupsSearch for & join relevant Groups
Be strategic: should I join “Starving Inventors” or “New Product Tycoons?” Why not both?
Display your Group badges on your profile to allow like-minded people to connect
Contribute to Group Discussions
TIP: Join the group “Invites Welcome” to grow your network
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The Power of DiscussionsEach LinkedIn Group has a discussion feature
Good way to advertise new books
Ask strategic questions
Introduce yourself to the community
TIP: Seed a discussion
with your key business challenge, e.g. “How do I connect with inventors who need protoypes made?”
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The Power of Introductions
Connect 2 people who can help each other
Ask for introductions from your connections
Be generous with your contacts
TIP: Search for your dream client and see who in your network is connected to them – get introduced
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Getting the Most out of LinkedIn Put everything in your profile
Increase your network size
Join LinkedIn Groups
Ask and answer questions strategically
Give more than you get
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The Power of Small Favours Help 50 people with:
Answers
Recommendations
Expert suggestions
Leads
Introductions
When you need help, 50 people will be there for you
Give generously; the “getting” flows indirectly from your investment in others
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Thank You!
Any questions?
Contact me at:
Connect with me on LinkedIn!
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