May 30, 2008 82 Comments

Five LinkedIn Tools I Need Right Now

Alright, Mario, listen up. I need the following five tools from LinkedIn, and I’m going to ask everyone in my community to chime in and tell you what they might need, too. Sure, you might not be able to get me these all by close of business Friday, but let’s see how much we can manage, okay?

A Cork Board

I need a LinkedIn cork board, where I can put sticky notes to remind me to write C.C.’s recommendation, and where I can put John Swords’ hiring need details. It’ll be where I remind myself to swap out my pic next time I have a moment. AND, I want to be able to allow friends to put sticky notes up there without seeing mine. (So, two boards.)

Groupings

I want private groupings within my address book. I don’t think alphabetically. Do you? I need LinkedIn to let me group my media friends together, my enterprise IT friends together, my friends who live around Philadelphia. And I want multiple groupings for the same contacts.

Commenting

What if I could add a layer of metadata to my entire LinkedIn profile? I might want to tell stories around the details, or layer in how many projects I used to do back in the old days. I got the idea by looking at the FriendFeed tools. In fact, what if the recommendation tools were a bit thinner. They’re not super difficult now, but it’d be amazing how many more “thumbs up” votes you’d get if that were a click versus a written recommendation. (Maybe layers of voting in that case?)

Visual Data

I need to SEE how people connect, and where they are the hub and where they are the node. Even if the other people don’t choose to expose all their contacts, I might get a sense of someone I need to reach being accessible in different ways, instead of you providing me just a link. It would also be instant “influencer” candy, especially if you could do things like show “velocity of connections” and “frequency of logins and updates” in a dashboard way, too.

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that LinkedIn feels relatively static. This one dynamic would offer a sense of motion that wasn’t there before, and would provide me with data as to how FRESH someone’s efforts are.

An Open Platform

Oh, you mentioned that one back in June of 2007. I’d love to see this happen. Why? Because frankly, you’re sitting on some HUGE opportunities, and they can be monetized, and you could be generating revenue, and I would be willing to pay for features that you’ve not rolled out yet.

What’s Your Take?

As the need for better social network tools and more robust networks come about, I believe the “needs” I’ve listed above are only the starting point. What do you think? What’s your wish list for LinkedIn? Do you think I’m too far off base with my wishes?

And by the way, I really really really admire Mario Sundar and believe that LI owes him more than what they’re paying him, no matter what that number is.

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http://www.jbspartners.com Jim Spencer

Well, maybe I have it all wrong, but repeatedly I visit linkedin to contact someone, but often can’t find any contact information, even after I am logged in.

I always felt that connecting was the point of LinkedIn. I know it’s a complex issue, but if I am logged in and I am linked to you, show me the contact info!
http://www.jbspartners.com Jim Spencer

Well, maybe I have it all wrong, but repeatedly I visit linkedin to contact someone, but often can’t find any contact information, even after I am logged in.

I always felt that connecting was the point of LinkedIn. I know it’s a complex issue, but if I am logged in and I am linked to you, show me the contact info!
http://mediaphyter.wordpress.com Jennifer Leggio

Jim, you can export all of your contacts email addresses from the bottom of the contacts page.

What I’d really like to see? An ability to edit a company profile page. At least factual information.
http://mediaphyter.wordpress.com Jennifer Leggio

Jim, you can export all of your contacts email addresses from the bottom of the contacts page.

What I’d really like to see? An ability to edit a company profile page. At least factual information.
http://evildoerexposer.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/linkedin-is-evil-let-me-count-the-ways/ FU LI

Linkedin is basically evil. why is it illegal to use a screen name? Then their users would not get unsolicited recruiting calls. I would like a tool that prevents Linkedin from selling my employees profile information to recruiters. the users are the product of linkedin not the customers. I would like a tool that prevents Linkedin from publicly noting who in my company gets a promotion because now the other members of the group may be more susceptible to a recruit call. I would like a tool that protects my employees from recruitment if I am paying LI to help hire employees. Even head hunter ethics say you cannot recruit from the same companies you work with as clients.
http://evildoerexposer.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/linkedin-is-evil-let-me-count-the-ways/ FU LI

Linkedin is basically evil. why is it illegal to use a screen name? Then their users would not get unsolicited recruiting calls. I would like a tool that prevents Linkedin from selling my employees profile information to recruiters. the users are the product of linkedin not the customers. I would like a tool that prevents Linkedin from publicly noting who in my company gets a promotion because now the other members of the group may be more susceptible to a recruit call. I would like a tool that protects my employees from recruitment if I am paying LI to help hire employees. Even head hunter ethics say you cannot recruit from the same companies you work with as clients.
http://sachendra.wordpress.com Sachendra Yadav

The primary reason I visit LinkedIn is for the Q&A, and I think it could do with a few enhancements:
1. Add Answers link/menu-item in mobile version and outlook/firefox toolbars
2. Update me when new answers are posted to a question that I have responded to, kinda like “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail” that this blog has (makes it very easy to follow the conversation)
3. Allow posting links in Questions like you do in Answers

Besides that, I second “Groupings” and “Commenting”
http://sachendra.wordpress.com Sachendra Yadav

The primary reason I visit LinkedIn is for the Q&A, and I think it could do with a few enhancements:
1. Add Answers link/menu-item in mobile version and outlook/firefox toolbars
2. Update me when new answers are posted to a question that I have responded to, kinda like “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail” that this blog has (makes it very easy to follow the conversation)
3. Allow posting links in Questions like you do in Answers

Besides that, I second “Groupings” and “Commenting”
http://twitter.com/ephealy Ed Healy

I’d like to be able to make notes about people, so I can remember things about them. Chris likes peanutbutter, while Matt is a Trekkie. Jill and I met at PodCamp Boston, where she introduced me to Jack.

In addition, I’d like events to be added. I’d like to be able to tie people to events, whether they do so or not. Since I met Jack and Jill at PodCamp Boston, I’d like to make note of that – even if they don’t note it themselves.
http://twitter.com/ephealy Ed Healy

I’d like to be able to make notes about people, so I can remember things about them. Chris likes peanutbutter, while Matt is a Trekkie. Jill and I met at PodCamp Boston, where she introduced me to Jack.

In addition, I’d like events to be added. I’d like to be able to tie people to events, whether they do so or not. Since I met Jack and Jill at PodCamp Boston, I’d like to make note of that – even if they don’t note it themselves.
http://www.clarakuo.com Clara

Yes, definitely a place to put notes about how you know somebody, when you met them and where. And built-in reminders to help people keep in better touch with their network.
http://www.clarakuo.com Clara

Yes, definitely a place to put notes about how you know somebody, when you met them and where. And built-in reminders to help people keep in better touch with their network.
http://thebrandbarry.com Barry Reicherter

I’d like to see some integration with Highrise, from 37signals.
http://thebrandbarry.com Barry Reicherter

I’d like to see some integration with Highrise, from 37signals.
http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

I second, or third, the ability to add notes or other meta data about my contacts. I’d also love a longer window (or none at all) before my “What are you working on?” status resets. Thanks Mario (and Chris).
http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

I second, or third, the ability to add notes or other meta data about my contacts. I’d also love a longer window (or none at all) before my “What are you working on?” status resets. Thanks Mario (and Chris).
http://pikesthinking.blogspot.com/ Walter Pike

Updates on answers, making the what are you doing a twitter feed, meta data on profile.
http://pikesthinking.blogspot.com/ Walter Pike

Updates on answers, making the what are you doing a twitter feed, meta data on profile.
http://hannahesmith.blogspot.com/ Hannah

I haven’t been able to contact almost anyone through Linkedin without being asked to pay a fee. I feel like it should be easier to contact people using this service without paying for it.

I think Linkedin is a great way to use social networking in a professional context. I often feel like I am crossing a line by trying to contact people on facebook.
http://hannahesmith.blogspot.com/ Hannah

I haven’t been able to contact almost anyone through Linkedin without being asked to pay a fee. I feel like it should be easier to contact people using this service without paying for it.

I think Linkedin is a great way to use social networking in a professional context. I often feel like I am crossing a line by trying to contact people on facebook.
http://changelog.ca/ Charles Iliya Krempeaux

I’d like it so LinkedIn would “subscribe” to my resume, on my own site, and both import the data from my website and keep itself up to date with any changes I made to my resume, on my site.

(I don’t want to have to manually enter my resume info into their site, or have to manually update my resume info on their site either.)

My resume is marked up with the hResume Microformat, so it should be straight forward for them to do this.

– Charles Iliya Krempeaux
http://changelog.ca/
http://changelog.ca/ Charles Iliya Krempeaux

I’d like it so LinkedIn would “subscribe” to my resume, on my own site, and both import the data from my website and keep itself up to date with any changes I made to my resume, on my site.

(I don’t want to have to manually enter my resume info into their site, or have to manually update my resume info on their site either.)

My resume is marked up with the hResume Microformat, so it should be straight forward for them to do this.

– Charles Iliya Krempeaux
http://changelog.ca/
http://justis.indythinker.com Justis Peters

My top feature request would be the ability to easily recommend to 2 of my connections that they should meet each other. There are dozens of great opportunities waiting to happen in each of our networks. We could be cross-pollinating these relationships.

Kind regards,
Justis Peters
http://justis.indythinker.com Justis Peters

My top feature request would be the ability to easily recommend to 2 of my connections that they should meet each other. There are dozens of great opportunities waiting to happen in each of our networks. We could be cross-pollinating these relationships.

Kind regards,
Justis Peters
http://gautamghosh.net Gautam

I wish Linkedin stops storing the emails of my contacts who are not on Linkedin :(
http://gautamghosh.net Gautam

I wish Linkedin stops storing the emails of my contacts who are not on Linkedin :(
http://www.ephealy.com/ Ed Healy

More…

A calendar function. I’d like to be able to make notes that tell me to call this person on a certain day, or that that person said to get back to them “In June.” If you could integrate this with Google Calendar, or some other calendar servives, that’d be great.

Contact Details: It’d be nice if I could tell people that it’s best to contact me during certain hours. Sure, you can do that now, but it’d be nice is the times would adjust based on the time zone that the viewer is in. If I’m in Seattle, my New York contact’s 10 AM becomes 7 AM, but if I’m in Bulgaria it becomes 5 PM.
http://www.ephealy.com/ Ed Healy

More…

A calendar function. I’d like to be able to make notes that tell me to call this person on a certain day, or that that person said to get back to them “In June.” If you could integrate this with Google Calendar, or some other calendar servives, that’d be great.

Contact Details: It’d be nice if I could tell people that it’s best to contact me during certain hours. Sure, you can do that now, but it’d be nice is the times would adjust based on the time zone that the viewer is in. If I’m in Seattle, my New York contact’s 10 AM becomes 7 AM, but if I’m in Bulgaria it becomes 5 PM.
https://twitter.com/damongarrett Damon Garrett

I find there is quite a lot of out-of-date information among my LinkedIn contact base. For example, some users have obviously lost their login data and never logged back in, others have setup new accounts upon starting new roles.

I think there might be a nice way to incorporate a button where a user can let LI know that one of their contact’s profiles is out-of-date and should be updated. This could allow LI to prompt that person directly and try to re-engage the user back into the system. Privacy issues considered, it might be possible to re-invite that person back in, if it means being able to supply a known active e-mail address.
https://twitter.com/damongarrett Damon Garrett

I find there is quite a lot of out-of-date information among my LinkedIn contact base. For example, some users have obviously lost their login data and never logged back in, others have setup new accounts upon starting new roles.

I think there might be a nice way to incorporate a button where a user can let LI know that one of their contact’s profiles is out-of-date and should be updated. This could allow LI to prompt that person directly and try to re-engage the user back into the system. Privacy issues considered, it might be possible to re-invite that person back in, if it means being able to supply a known active e-mail address.
http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/ Mario Sundar

Wow! 15 comments already.

I hope you understand the huge time constraint you’ve put me under :)

As you know, Chris, we’re listening. Some of these request have been asked more often than others. I’ll continue monitoring this thread for further comments and will definitely compile and send these across to my colleagues at LinkedIn.

Readers who’d like to stay tuned to the latest on LinkedIn may feel free to follow me on twitter as well

http://twitter.com/mariosundar
http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/ Mario Sundar

Wow! 15 comments already.

I hope you understand the huge time constraint you’ve put me under :)

As you know, Chris, we’re listening. Some of these request have been asked more often than others. I’ll continue monitoring this thread for further comments and will definitely compile and send these across to my colleagues at LinkedIn.

Readers who’d like to stay tuned to the latest on LinkedIn may feel free to follow me on twitter as well

http://twitter.com/mariosundar
http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/ Mario Sundar

BTW, Chris, Thanks a million for those kind words. Much appreciated.

Too bad, we couldn’t meet when you were in the Bay Area recently. Are you gonna be at BlogExpo?
http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/ Mario Sundar

BTW, Chris, Thanks a million for those kind words. Much appreciated.

Too bad, we couldn’t meet when you were in the Bay Area recently. Are you gonna be at BlogExpo?
http://www.vadirectory.net/blog/ Kathie Thomas, A Clayton’s Sec

Notice that Elvis has just left the building!

No, seriously, when a contact disconnects, or leaves LinkedIn, it would be nice to get some sort of message that says:

Vincent is no longer connected with you.

I only get a clue when I see the number drop but usually don’t have any idea who it was.
http://www.vadirectory.net/blog/ Kathie Thomas, A Clayton’s Secretary

Notice that Elvis has just left the building!

No, seriously, when a contact disconnects, or leaves LinkedIn, it would be nice to get some sort of message that says:

Vincent is no longer connected with you.

I only get a clue when I see the number drop but usually don’t have any idea who it was.
http://www.fogofeternity.com Robin Cannon

Some great ideas already listed, don’t think I could argue with any of them.

For me:

Definitely concur with the idea of being able to more effectively monitor/update/remove the dormant contacts.

On a more general note I’d like to see LinkedIn become more…um…actively interactive. At the moment while I have connections and a network there seems less impetus towards an active and communicative network. Q&A is excellent, but wonder if groups might be being underused (…albeit it may be me underusing groups).

#1 thing is definitely a note-taking ability though. That extends to notes about individual contacts, Q&A discussions, groups, etc.
http://www.fogofeternity.com Robin Cannon

Some great ideas already listed, don’t think I could argue with any of them.

For me:

Definitely concur with the idea of being able to more effectively monitor/update/remove the dormant contacts.

On a more general note I’d like to see LinkedIn become more…um…actively interactive. At the moment while I have connections and a network there seems less impetus towards an active and communicative network. Q&A is excellent, but wonder if groups might be being underused (…albeit it may be me underusing groups).

#1 thing is definitely a note-taking ability though. That extends to notes about individual contacts, Q&A discussions, groups, etc.
Nancy B

Since Kathie commented first I’ll join the discussion too :-)!

Top 5 things I don’t do on LinkedIn:

1. Share content on a topic.
Q&A is nice but for a better understanding the new FriendFeed rooms rock! Ask, answer, share, explore

2. Converse within a group
Stopping at the Q&A level feel disconnected as a community boundry.

3. JibberJobber Notes
Making the connection between what resume / profile version was shared with whom for what position would be awesome if there was better integration.

4. Group and Message contacts by type (of my choosing)
As a PMO manager I longed to be able to do more with my screen recruiters as a group and ‘un-vetted’ recruiters as a different group. LinkedIn almost has the right set of features to support that kind of interaction… kins of.

5. Multi Level Influencer engagement during beta and during calm.
At this time in my career I do not do mass hirings as I have in the past, but I still use the tool almost daily. What appears to my eye to hopefully be A/B testing is really black box and I would love to know “is this on purpose or is it broken?” I would love to know who the respected power users are and that I can trust thier answers in Q&A when things ‘get twitchy.’ I would love to catch the buzz from the LinkedIn ‘superlinkeer people’ forum and see thier pride in suggestions being realized. Mario does a great job at his sphere of influence, and those employees who participate in GetSatisfaction rock! but there is a viral opportunity missing in the community of users that would make me feel more loyal to LinkedIn as a brand… but I am digressing into a response that Adam Nash deserves directly.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nbabyak Nancy Babyak

Since Kathie commented first I’ll join the discussion too :-)!

Top 5 things I don’t do on LinkedIn:

1. Share content on a topic.
Q&A is nice but for a better understanding the new FriendFeed rooms rock! Ask, answer, share, explore

2. Converse within a group
Stopping at the Q&A level feel disconnected as a community boundry.

3. JibberJobber Notes
Making the connection between what resume / profile version was shared with whom for what position would be awesome if there was better integration.

4. Group and Message contacts by type (of my choosing)
As a PMO manager I longed to be able to do more with my screen recruiters as a group and ‘un-vetted’ recruiters as a different group. LinkedIn almost has the right set of features to support that kind of interaction… kins of.

5. Multi Level Influencer engagement during beta and during calm.
At this time in my career I do not do mass hirings as I have in the past, but I still use the tool almost daily. What appears to my eye to hopefully be A/B testing is really black box and I would love to know “is this on purpose or is it broken?” I would love to know who the respected power users are and that I can trust thier answers in Q&A when things ‘get twitchy.’ I would love to catch the buzz from the LinkedIn ‘superlinkeer people’ forum and see thier pride in suggestions being realized. Mario does a great job at his sphere of influence, and those employees who participate in GetSatisfaction rock! but there is a viral opportunity missing in the community of users that would make me feel more loyal to LinkedIn as a brand… but I am digressing into a response that Adam Nash deserves directly.
http://wahtnetwork.ning.com/profile/Joyce Joyce Boadt

I think it would be great to have an Events section. Allow people to post conferences, meetings, etc. There would have to be a way to categorize them by type of event, target audience, location, etc. I think it would be a great way to advertise and share information with people who might be interested.

I’d like to be able to see the last time someone logged into the system. I know of many people who created profiles in response to an ivitation but then never used the site again. It would give you a hint as to how current the information is.

I like the ability to add comments to profiles and also dates and reminders. It’d be nice to get a reminder that it’s someone’s birthday, anniversary, when they have a speaking engagement coming up, etc.
http://wahtnetwork.ning.com/profile/Joyce Joyce Boadt

I think it would be great to have an Events section. Allow people to post conferences, meetings, etc. There would have to be a way to categorize them by type of event, target audience, location, etc. I think it would be a great way to advertise and share information with people who might be interested.

I’d like to be able to see the last time someone logged into the system. I know of many people who created profiles in response to an ivitation but then never used the site again. It would give you a hint as to how current the information is.

I like the ability to add comments to profiles and also dates and reminders. It’d be nice to get a reminder that it’s someone’s birthday, anniversary, when they have a speaking engagement coming up, etc.
http://www.henricodolfing.com Henrico Dolfing

I placed the comments on your post on my blog. Summarized I would say that LinkedIn should focus on the way it is presenting the contacts and the social network behind it.
http://www.henricodolfing.com Henrico Dolfing

I placed the comments on your post on my blog. Summarized I would say that LinkedIn should focus on the way it is presenting the contacts and the social network behind it.
http://www.socialsignal.com Rob Cottingham

Hmm… I’m not so sure I’d like to have the news of a disconnection broadcast to the disconnectee. I don’t want to feel like I’d have to explain why I cut the wire. But YMMV.

I’m all for meta information – including tagging, both my own profile and others. And then it would be great if I could conduct group functions on any of my contacts that had a particular tag.

And I’ll echo Monica Hamburg‘s request for new “How do you know Chris” categories — or just making that part optional (all of which might be taken care of with tagging, come to think of it).

Incidentally, I commented on her post suggesting the new categories should be:

- Personal friend
- Family member
- Colleague
- Business friend
- Partner (you’ve done business together)
- Members of an organization
- Blogging buddy
- Creepy high school acquaintance
- Can’t remember, too embarrassed to admit it
- Got drunk together at conference, messed around, not sure how far it went
- Got drunk together at conference, messed around, absolutely horrifically certain how far it went
- Someone who was willing to Digg my blog post
- Frequent teammate in flame wars
- Let’s face it, I don’t know them… but they’d be one hell of a trophy friend
http://www.socialsignal.com Rob Cottingham

Hmm… I’m not so sure I’d like to have the news of a disconnection broadcast to the disconnectee. I don’t want to feel like I’d have to explain why I cut the wire. But YMMV.

I’m all for meta information – including tagging, both my own profile and others. And then it would be great if I could conduct group functions on any of my contacts that had a particular tag.

And I’ll echo Monica Hamburg‘s request for new “How do you know Chris” categories — or just making that part optional (all of which might be taken care of with tagging, come to think of it).

Incidentally, I commented on her post suggesting the new categories should be:

- Personal friend
- Family member
- Colleague
- Business friend
- Partner (you’ve done business together)
- Members of an organization
- Blogging buddy
- Creepy high school acquaintance
- Can’t remember, too embarrassed to admit it
- Got drunk together at conference, messed around, not sure how far it went
- Got drunk together at conference, messed around, absolutely horrifically certain how far it went
- Someone who was willing to Digg my blog post
- Frequent teammate in flame wars
- Let’s face it, I don’t know them… but they’d be one hell of a trophy friend
http://michellebb.blogspot.com MichelleBB

I’d like to see a “recommendations from your connections” page so colleagues and friends could post what they’re reading, where they’ve eaten (when on the road) and what sites they visit for information.

The calendar idea is a good one too. I’d like to see what upcoming events my colleagues are attending or my groups are hosting.
http://michellebb.blogspot.com MichelleBB

I’d like to see a “recommendations from your connections” page so colleagues and friends could post what they’re reading, where they’ve eaten (when on the road) and what sites they visit for information.

The calendar idea is a good one too. I’d like to see what upcoming events my colleagues are attending or my groups are hosting.
http://www.davidleeking.com david lee king

Groupings – I’d like that in Twitter, too!
http://www.davidleeking.com david lee king

Groupings – I’d like that in Twitter, too!