1. LinkedIn “From the day we launched, LinkedIn has been about helping professionals build and maintain trusted relationships online.”- Reid Hoffmann, founding CEO GROUP 3
6. History 2002: LinkedIn began in Reid Hoffman’s living room 2003: Officially founded May 5, 2003 (Cinco de LinkedIn) The 5 founders invited 350 of their closest contacts to join Ends the year with 81,000 members and 14 employees 2004: Ends the year with 1.6 million members and 33 employees; International members represent about half of all members 2005: LinkedIn launches its first premium service, subscription service and ends the year with 4 million members
7. History 2006: Members can be kept up to do date through added newsfeed Ends the year with 8 million members 2007: Launches LinkedIn Answers, Intelligent Application Platform, news product, profile pictures and corporate blog Dan Nye made CEO Customer Service Location opens Membership surpasses 15 million 2008: Recruiter product launches and creates buzz in HR depts Mobile phone app launches LinkedIn partners with CNBC and The New York Times Ends with 33 million members
78. Opportunity: Positive young professional attitude towards "refferal marketing"Referral Marketing: LinkedIn already uses user-generated ads, and can capitalize on their effectiveness as more and more young professionals come from the facebook generation.
81. Opportunity: Ability to capture the Asian marketMust keep a close eye on competition: XING. And turn weaknesses into strengths. Adapt to the needs of the Asian market.
84. Threat: XING and other PNSs targeting the Asian marketUse this strength to track the rate of Asian expansionon LinkedIn and make adjustments to compete head on.