![Page 1: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
THE 2010 NEW SYMBIOSIS OF
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS
STUDY RESULTS
DON BULMER, SAP
VANESSA DIMAURO, LEADER NETWORKS
PETER AUDITORE, SAP
![Page 2: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
About This Study
Focus of the study:
Users of online professional networks
Examination of current use of online professional networks
Online preferences
Changes and predicted changes in use of online professional networks
Sample composition:
The survey “The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks” was administered online to 114 participants
Participants were notified through blogs and direct email invitation by study sponsors
Close to two in ten (18%) respondents identified themselves as the CEO of their organization, with close to half
identifying themselves as a “Director” (20%) or “Manager” (24%)
Company size ranged from less than 100 to over 50,000 full-time employees
Age was well distributed with the greatest proportion in the 36-45 range
10 countries were represented, with 76% of respondents living in the US
All respondents were either the decision makers or influenced the decision maker
2
![Page 3: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
4 Key Research Findings
• Business professionals are changing how they collaborate as a result of online professional communities and peer networks.
• Social networks have evolved to become knowledge and communication networks.
• Access to thought leadership content is now the #1 reason why professionals surveyed visit networks and communities.
• Professionals are collaborating with each other visa vie the thought leadership content they generate, curate or share. No longer is collaboration an experience between a limited number of people.
Thought Leadership is the new currency of online professional collaboration.
• While nearly all professionals surveyed (97%) use LinkedIn, the use of smaller (niche) professional network are activity being used to find peers and content specifically related to the work that they do (by role, industry, geography, etc.).
• Professionals are finding the right mix of large open networks and private communities to support their learning, networking and decision-making activities.
The collaboration recipe = 1 to 2 large networks + 1 to 2 niche communities
• Professional communities are being used more frequently to inform business strategy and supporting new products and services (much more than in 2009).
• 80% of respondents are able to accelerate decision process and information/strategy development by participating in communities.
Social Business is starting to happen within professional communities of practice
• Endorsement (via like, read, share, retweet) is at the center of collaboration in social media communities.
•“The Crescendo Effect” in social media environments has great impact on the buying decision. High quality content yields transparency and credibility.
• Professional collaboration is changing from a small professional exchange into an interaction with content in public ways. The consequence of sharing content online = influence
Professionals share and consume quality content within their professional networks as a way of exerting influence
3/7/2011 3
![Page 4: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Online Professional Network Usage
4
![Page 5: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5%
20%
33%
97%
13%
51%
40%
92%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%
Plaxo
2009 2010
5
The “Big Three” Networks Remain Constant From 2009 To 2010, But Facebook Is Losing Significant Ground
Question: What are the top three online professional networks that you use? (Open Response)
– Essentially all respondents indicated that they use LinkedIn
– One third of respondents also mentioned Facebook, while just over two in ten mentioned Twitter
– Hundreds of other networks were mentioned, many by only one or two respondents
Top Professional Networks
n= 113
![Page 6: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
Professionals Have Chosen Their Online Professional Networks
Question: How many ONLINE professional networks do youparticipate in (e.g. Industry-specific communities, Linked-In,professional discussion forums, online customer support groups,etc.)?
Note: Those who indicated that they do not participate in any online professional networks were excluded from the study
- The age of professional networking experimentation is starting to end, as professionals have stabilized on the
number of networks they participate in over the past two years.
- 3-5 is the range of online professional networks that decision makers participate in. This is up by five percent
over 2009 study (55% of respondents in 2010 they participate in 3-5 networks)
- 68% of professionals surveyed report that they are satisfied with the communities that they have chosen to join.
n= 114
Question: Generally, how satisfied are you with your experience using online
professional networks?
![Page 7: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Mobile Devices To Access Professional Networks are On The Rise: 59% of Respondents Use them To Access Professional Networks
– Essentially all respondents access social networks on a PC or Mac and about 6 in 10 respondents in
2010 access a professional network using a mobile device
– 2010 showed a significant increase in the use of mobile devices to access online networks (15%)
increase. 59% of respondents access online networks via mobile devices (vs. 44% in 2009).
n= 114
![Page 8: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
And Apple Is The Preferred Mobile Device
– Apple is dominate as the mobile device of choice that people use to access online networks (67%)
followed RIM/Blackberry (37%) and Android devices (15%)
n= 67
Quick Facts about Mobile
• At the time the study was
conducted, the iPad was in the
market only 6 months
• In 2009 there were 180 iPhone apps
for social networking, in 2010 there
were 736 social networking apps for
iPhone/iPad
![Page 9: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
The Majority Of Professionals Use Online Networks Daily To Inform Their Work
Question: On average, how often do you visit the networks or communities you belong to?Question: How has this changed over the last three years?
– 80% of respondents access social networks one or more times a day with change in use increasing for
88% of respondents over the last three years
– More than four in ten visit professional networks many times each day
n= 110
![Page 10: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Many Professionals Use A Combination Of “Big Three” Networks Plus Smaller, Selective Online Communities
– Almost all respondents participate in large public networks or communities
– Two thirds participate in open social media networks such as Twitter or Yelp
– About half participate in midsize or specialized communities
n= 114
![Page 11: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
And They Prefer To Engage Deeply With Peers In A Few Networks
– Most respondents were split evenly between preferring to deeply experience a limited number of
networks and joining many networks but only participating heavily in a few
n= 101
![Page 12: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Professionals Value Online Communities To Connect and Compete
– Networks have evolved to become trusted environments for relationship management and decision
support
– Most respondents find value in establishing or increasing their professional network and in increasing
competitive brand monitoring and positioning
– Significantly more professionals value professional networks for monitoring competitive brands over
their own company brand
n= 114
Top Three Benefits Of Online Community Participation
![Page 13: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
Thought Leadership Content Is Central In The Use of Professional Networks As Business Decision-Making Platforms
- Gaining access to thought leadership is the top reason that respondents visit online networks and
communities (keeping track of peers ranked #1 in purpose for 2009)
- 80% of respondents are able to accelerate decision process and information/strategy development by
participating in communities via access to thought leadership
- People collaborate for need not for speed as reduce travel costs is the least popular reason in 2009 &
2010
n= 98
![Page 14: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Search Engines Are Used More Frequently Than Company Web Sites to Inform Business Decision-making
Top Three Online Steps Typically Taken To Inform Your Decision-making
– The overwhelming majority of respondents (87%) conduct research via search engines to inform
decision-making
– The value of a company website as a destination for supporting/informing a decision has dropped by
half from 2009 but still ranks #2 (43%)
– Online professional networks and communities are now equal in importance to the corporate website to
support decision-making
n= 98
Community and website share relative rankings
![Page 15: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Sources Of Influence Are More Concentrated Online: Professionals Are Consuming More And Creating Less Content
– About eight in ten respondents listen to or read information on their professional networks, and this is
the top activity for two thirds of respondents
n= 98
![Page 16: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
High Levels Of Trust Exists For Information Received via Professional Networks
Question: How much do you rely on professional networks for information/advice/insight to support business decisions?Question: How has this changed over the last three years?
– Three quarters of respondents rely either lightly or heavily on professional networks to support business
decisions. This is consistent with 2009.
– Reliance has increased for essentially all respondents over the past three years, and increased
significantly for about four in ten respondents
Reliance On Professional Networks Change in Reliance On Professional Networks
n= 95
2009
2010
![Page 17: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
People And Content Found Within Online Communities Are Widely Used To Identify Business Trends And In Support Of A Professional Decision
When Faced With A Professional Decision, Survey Respondents Are Likely To…
– Eight in ten respondents use online social networks to identify trends and key topics for
further exploration
– Just over a quarter use them to help reach a professional decision
n= 95
![Page 18: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18Question: Which statements best capture your experiences collaborating with others in an online environment? (select all that
apply)
Online Collaboration Is Considered A Meaningful Professional Activity
– Respondents clearly see the value in online collaboration
– They most appreciate the ability to reach out and connect with others and to gain fresh insight, ideas,
and actionable information
Statements Percent Agree
I am able to reach and connect with other professionals and experts due to the network 73%
Collaborating with others provides me with fresh insight, ideas, and actionable information 71%
My collaboration with peers is strengthened by online connections and made more efficient 65%
My connections online have shared information with me that inform the work I do in meaningful ways
60%
Collaborating with others saves me time and money 49%
I find people are more willing to collaborate online and share information than offline 47%
I only collaborate or connect online with people I already know 19%
Online connections are best for sales and marketing but not for collaboration 6%
Connecting to others or collaborating does not interest me 3%
![Page 19: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Most Companies Have Internal Collaboration Tools But Only About Half Are Reported To Be Effective
– About seven in ten respondents indicate that their company has collaboration tools in place, half of
those indicate that they are used effectively
– Fifteen percent of respondents indicate that, while their company does not sponsor social media tools,
they are used informally to collaborate
n= 91
![Page 20: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Company Internets Of The Future Will Strive To Connect People (Forums) With The Work They Do (Content)
Question: In what ways do you see your company’s use of internal social media tools increasing over the next 1-2 years? (select the top three)
– In a global workforce, context is more important than ever. Consequently, the intranet of the future will
be focused on context of information.
– More than four in ten respondents expect that in one to two years their company will be using social
media for more content sharing and company-wide communications and for forums and discussions
n= 95
![Page 21: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
While Professionals Value Collaboration, Their Companies Seek To Invest In Social Media Marketing Programs
Question: In what ways do you see your company’s external use of social media changing over the next 1-2 years? (select up to 3)
– More than half of respondents foresee more marketing programs and content distribution in the next
one to two years
– Very few foresee no change in social media usage
n= 95
![Page 22: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
Satisfaction with Company’s Internal Technologies for Collaboration for Business Purposes Is Increasing
Question: How satisfied are you with your company’s internal technologies for collaboration for businesspurposes?
– Just over one in ten respondents are extremely satisfied with their company’s internal technologies for
collaboration for business purposes
– Overall satisfaction with their company’s internal technologies for collaboration has increased over the
past year
14% 15%
30%20%
47%53%
10% 12%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2009 2010
Extremely Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Extremely Dissatisfied
Internal Collaboration Tool Satisfaction
n= 91
![Page 23: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Summary
Professionals are now using their social media peer groups and online communities as reliable in-puts into their decision-making 2009-10 was about exploring and experimenting with online relationships whereas
2010-11 is about capitalizing on them.
Thought leadership is the professional currency of the future Professionals and organizations are now being defined by the quality of the content
they exchange, curate and create. However, few content creation channels have stood the test of time as there is less
content being created as professionals have learned to curate only the best
New rules for collaboration in social media environments emerge Endorsement is at the center of collaboration in social media communities The endorsement (via read, share, like, retweet) drives influence that enables better decision
making
And, anytime anywhere access to our professional peer groups is a growing necessity Mobile access to online communities and professional networks is the new norm Therefore, relationships are more fluid and on-demand as professional now have the
online networking skills to reach the experts they need, when they need them.
23
![Page 24: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Demographics
24
![Page 25: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
Gender and Age
Question: What is your gender?
Question: What is your current age?
– Slightly more than half of the respondents were male
– A wide range of age groups were represented, with about two thirds of respondents falling between the ages of 36 to 55
n= 92
![Page 26: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
Professional Role
Question: Which of the following categories best describes your professional role in your organization?
– Close to two in ten respondents reported that they are the CEO in their organization
n= 114
![Page 27: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27
Primary Business
Question: Please indicate your organization’s primary type of business
– One third of respondents described their organization’s primary type of business as “Business Services”
– Another quarter reported that their primary type of business was computer products
n= 114
![Page 28: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28
Number of Employees
Question: Approximately how many full time employees does your organization have worldwide including all divisions and
locations?
– About half of respondents indicated that they work for an organization with less than 100 full time employees
– At the other extreme, more than a quarter work for organizations with 10,000 or more employees
n= 114
![Page 29: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
29
Responsibility
Question: Which of the following best describes your responsibilities in making decisions on products and services in your
company or organizational unit?
– Close to half of respondents reported that they are the final decision-maker
– More than four in ten reported that they participate in the decision-making process, while one in ten do research in support of the decision-maker
Note: Those who indicated that they had no decision-making responsibility
were excluded from the study
n= 114
![Page 30: The New Symbiosis of Professional Networks: 2011 SNCR Study Results](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022052823/55528cdeb4c9051f108b46b6/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30
Size of Budget Managed and Influenced
Question: What is the average size of the budget that you 1) Manage and 2) Influence?
– A third of respondents influence budgets of $1 Million or more, while just over one in ten directly manage budgets of that size
n= 105