The 5 Mistakes Steve Jobs Made With LinkedIn
Brian G. Burns
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Steve Jobs unquestionably put a dent in the universe. He was able to envision the future, create it and then dominate it. So we can all give him a pass for not getting LinkedIn. For the rest of us mere mortals, we should not overlook the power of LinkedIn and the opportunity that it brings us. We should also beware of the consequences of not understanding the role that LinkedIn is playing in our world today.
Here are the 5 mistakes that so many are making today on LinkedIn:
- Not Showing Up: Sure if your Steve Jobs you may not need to have a LinkedIn profile but the rest of us do not exist if we don't. When anyone Googles your name it is or should be the first thing that comes up. It is not your resume it is your professional webpage, your story and how you help others. If you are reading this post you are showing up on LinkedIn but how well? Is your profile engaging, interesting and after reading it do understand who you are what value you bring? Or is it just another ho hum “I’m the master of time space and dimension” self promoting blurb? Is your photo of you and your dog, kids, spouse, boat or bike? Your profile is your first impression and if it is not great you will not get a chance to make a second one.
- Not Connecting: In the 90’s people would talk about their Rolodex. The Rolodex was a collection of contacts and in business it was one of your most valuable assets. Then we moved to Palm Pilots and Contact managers and the value of your network had a huge impact on your career. Today LinkedIn is your professional network and in the virtual world you can leverage your contacts in very different way then in the physical world. We no longer have to actually meet someone to help them and ask them to help us. Yes, the exchange of value is still required but the network effect is infinitely more powerful. I find it so old-school when people say I only connect with people that I have meet... Would it not make more sense to connect with everyone you can help and everyone who can help you?
- Not Sharing: The days of keeping your unique knowledge to yourself in the belief that it is your asset is so 2010. Today it is all about sharing your knowledge, your insights and your skills with the world. In exchange the world will look to you for more of your unique talents. Your sharing of your knowledge and your curation of other’s knowledge has become your social voice.
- Not Listening: Yes, the world is changing faster then most of us can keep up with and if we are not listening we will be left behind. LinkedIn is no longer just the place to look for a job or search for leads. With the addition of Pulse, LinkedIn has disrupted the need for blogs. Ideas and knowledge are being published as fast as they can be written. Good ideas are being shared, commented on and corrected at the speed of thought. Do you really want to miss out in it?
- Not Understanding That The World Has Changed: Clearly LinkedIn has hit the Tipping Point, that moment in time where a company/product/app/service goes from being interesting to necessary. Since you are reading this post you most likely already know it but are you leveraging it, are you maximizing the impact it can have on your career?
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Please comment with ways that you use LinkedIn.
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I welcome LinkedIn connections and thanks for reading this post,
Brian
Bringing quality healthcare via an incredibly noble institution
7yThanks Brian, you're advice and insights have been invaluable to me of late. Love your posts! M
Founder & CEO | Real Estate Investor | Securing Housing for Marginalized Populations | Bureaucratic Ninja | Strategic Communicator
7yHere are my thoughts: Jobs was a genius in his own way. He defined a market for the personal computer and the smart phone. He commanded the space up until his death. He was and still is the symbol of the Apple (🍎). Anyone who misses that, is missing his entire point. Brian Burns, is correct in giving Mr. Jobs a pass on @LinkedIn because he was busy commanding entire markets, while tech and business was trying to keep up. Now, LinkedIn is struggling to stay relavent (finding its identity) in a world that is constantly evolving. Is it a place to find a job? No. It is an influencer. People cannot keep looking for jobs on it. To get a job these days, you have to be different. Social Media makes that possible. Jobs led the way as an #Innovator. We need to also innovate. Believe in ourselves, our strengths, our assets, our gifts, and tackle each interview as if it was the last job on #Earth.
Co-Founder, Managing Partner at Solid Access Technologies, LLC, MassChallenge Finalist 2011
7yThe 1 Mistake Microsoft Made With LinkedIn = Showing Up!
Global & Strategic Partnerships Manager at Coface
8ynice & neat. however i don't agree that jobs "put a dent in the universe" - dust he was, and dust he is, just like all of us.
Interim Chief Executive & Executive Coach | Organisation & Family Systems Facilitator | Educator
8yIt certainly is your business page, Linkedin that is... My social media profile begins here, goes everywhere and rests here again. I could put together a high powered team from across the globe, to respond a a large client request, in a multidisciplinary way.