crisis comms command post: Social network for EM professionals ... yes, it's LinkedIn

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Social network for EM professionals ... yes, it's LinkedIn

It's easy to overlook the importance of LinkedIn as a professional social networking tool. The social media platform has allowed me to make connections, learn, get information and identify emerging practices and exchange views with peers from around the world. In a nutshell, it's like going to a conference every time you sit at your desk and log on. That's why LinkedIn sits at number five on my top 25 smem destinations.

You don't think it's a true smem destination? Well, i beg to disagree ... The groups I belong to, cover everything from situational awareness and interoperability of EM platforms/software, to EM professional organizations, event-specific groups and group for EM researchers and homeland security.

You can observe and take what you need or you can take part in the many conversations, polls and online collaborations that are fostered through LinkedIn. Really the choice is yours and that's what's fabulous about it. Many groups are private and you have to request a membership (which are usually granted) or they are open to everyone. But it's worth checking out groups that you might relate to either by area of interest or geographic location.

I know I have been approached by stakeholders in my jurisdiction through LinkedIn, people who've asked for info on social media during emergencies or on how to connect with other professionals. That kind of forum, this online agora, makes LinkedIn valuable to me and so its sits at #5 on my top 25 list of SMEM destinations.

Here's a cool video about LInkedIn Groups: