online social networks and the 2 c is competitive intelligence & collaborative innovation

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?


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)


Two Different “CI”s

Competitive Intelligence

Collaborative Innovation

Is the business world evolving from one to the other?


Networking is not new!

Why we network

Strength of weak ties

Enabling technologies

Reed’s 3rd law


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!


Online Social Networks The usual suspects:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Special purpose:

Ning


Online Social Networks...

Some are good for intelligence gathering (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)

Some are more collaborative (LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning)

Let’s have a tour...


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


Facebook


Facebook Intelligence:

Personal life

Friends

Friends of friends

Habits

Interests

Collaboration:

Life outside the suit


Twitter


Twitter Intelligence:

Tribes

Interests

Location

Activities

Who follows them

Who they follow

Collaboration:

Live blogging events

Meet-ups

Emergent situations

Promote self, blog etc.


Ning (CI example)


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


A deeper dive into LinkedIn


What is LinkedIn? An online social network for professionals

Profiles

Connections

Introductions

Q&A

Status

Recommendations

Groups

30+ million people and growing fast


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!


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


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”


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


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


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


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”)


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


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?”


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


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


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


Thank You!

Any questions?

Contact me at:

[email protected]

Connect with me on LinkedIn!


online social networks and the 2 c is competitive intelligence & collaborative innovation

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