Join the propel Group on LinkedIn >
Since the establishment of propel, one of the primary goals of propel has been to provide a networking opportunity for members of propel to meet and exchange ideas. To extend these networking opportunities outside of our periodic events, propel is pleased to announce a new "community building" tool through LinkedIn.com.
LinkedIn is a free web service which facilitates online networking for ~1.2 million business professionals. This allows each person to post as much (or as little) information about themselves and their professional history as they would like. Members of LinkedIn can network with each other through trusted contacts, so we get not only the networking value within propel, but also the larger LinkedIn community. propel members have a special relationship to each other, and are identified with a propel logo.
Many propel members are already using this service and have given us great feedback on its value. The free registration process takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and will open the door to meeting and interacting with other supporters of Saint John's ICT industry. To understand the value this brings to propel members, it is important to first understand the fundamental purpose of LinkedIn.
How Does LinkedIn Work?
The LinkedIn community currently consists of approximately 1.2 million business professionals. Each individual in the service has a network of "trusted" friends, who each then have their own friends, and so on. For example, if you established a network of 20 individuals who you personally know and trust, and each of them created a network of 20 trusted friends, you now have access to 400 individuals across many different industries who all share a very high degree of trust. If you are then looking for a person to help you with a specific need, you can use the search feature of LinkedIn to see if you can find anyone through your network of trusted friends. If you find someone you wish to contact, you submit a request for your mutual friend to make an introduction. Through this "virtual handshake", you now have access to someone you need, with an endorsement from a mutual acquaintance. This is the core philosophy that allows LinkedIn to function and why they say, 'Your network is bigger than you think'.
How Does LinkedIn Work with propel?
Since the basic core principle of LinkedIn is based on establishing a networking through trusted friends. LinkedIn for Groups extends this principle with the thought that anyone who belongs in a similar association, should not require an introduction through a mutual acquaintance. So in essence, if you find someone you wish to contact, and they are a propel member, you no longer need the mutual friend to make the introduction. Searching and making contact with any fellow propel member is now a fundamental advantage of using the system.
Benefits of using LinkedIn with propel:
- Quickly and easily find other propel members with similar backgrounds and needs.
- Search the entire LinkedIn community, or limit your search to only your fellow propel members.
- By indicating you are open to "Requests for information or expertise", you and your fellow propel members will nurture an environment aimed for communication and networking.
- Changes the traditional membership directory from a standard "phone list" to a much more personalized approach.
- When outside business executives are reading your profile, your work in or with the ICT industry and your affiliation with propel will be clearly visible.
Please note, to make this process seamless, we highly recommend using your same contact information as with your propel membership (e.g . First name, Last Name, and Email address).
So how do I sign up?
If you are interested in joining the propel LinkedIn community (it's only one step away), sign up at the propel invitation on the LinkedIn site. Once you fill in the request, propel web administrators will verify that you are a propel member and the propel logo will appear on your profile. If you are not yet a propel member, sign up here.
The propel LinkedIn Group provides a forum for business networking, referrals, partnerships, endorsements, and skill searches. To connect with other propel supporters on a social level and involve yourself in the casual activities and discussions of our community to keep us familiar with each other and connected on a personal level we have a propel Facebook Group that all are welcome to join.
