Posts

You’ve Been Endorsed! A Wish List for LinkedIn Validations

1 Comment/in /by

JerrySeinfeld9Indulge us as we channel Jerry Seinfeld for a moment: What is the deal with LinkedIn endorsements?

First off – they’re everywhere lately. There are days when the bulk of the updates we see consist only of one contact endorsing or being endorsed by another.

  • Adam was endorsed for Social Media
  • Eve was endorsed for Corporate Communications
  • Bob B. endorsed Lisa for Public Relations

Don’t get us wrong. We LOVE getting endorsements! Who wouldn’t appreciate unsolicited compliments from colleagues and associates? True, there is that pesky sense of obligation to return the favor, but that’s a minor inconvenience in return for what amounts to a recommendation, right?

But is it a recommendation? In many cases the skills LinkedIn lists for endorsement are somewhat vague and most definitely impersonal. That said, public relations, social media strategy and press releases are rather critical skills to have – especially in our business. But those are the things we can (and should) include in our profiles; they aren’t particularly unique skills, and with the increase in endorsements lately, their shine and influence has begun to fade.

This got us thinking: What might be more valuable (and loads more fun) would be the option to endorse a person for soft skills, personality traits and unique characteristics – you know, the stuff that really reveals how useful – or liked – he or she may be.

So without further ado, here’s our list of the endorsements we’d love to receive and give on LinkedIn:

  • Being a team player
  • A positive attitude
  • Contributing unsolicited ideas
  • Posting engaging, thought-provoking tweets
  • Learning something new (and sharing it)
  • Being a cheerleader
  • Working like an entrepreneur: doing what it takes to get any job done
  • Leading by example
  • Financial wizardry
  • Creative client concoctions
  • Mind blowing content
  • Happy employees
  • Innovation
  • Being detail-oriented
  • Being trustworthy
  • Walking the talk

Do you think LinkedIn endorsements are useful? And what’s on your endorsements wish list for LinkedIn?

MavenSay What?

in /by

Every now and then, I come across a product or service that makes me ask, “Why didn’t I think of that?” MavenSay—a new social networking app– is no exception.

mavensayWith this app you’re able to share your lifestyle with a trusted community of enthusiasts and local taste makers. What pair of running sneakers do you love? Where do you get the best coffee heath bar ice cream? Where should I get my eyebrows waxed? What’s a new song I should download?

At its heart MavenSay is about knowing what’s good by sharing the latest trends — fashion, food, music, shopping — through reliable and trusted recommendations. With a soft launch in October, the six month old app is making huge strides in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. More than a location based guide, MavenSay wants to be the community for lifestyle curation.

mavensay2So how does it all work? Well, one of the best things about MavenSay is how easy it is to use. Simply, find you friends through Facebook and Twitter to see their recommendations. You can also visit the weekly “Discover” section to find a curated collection recommended by MavenSay. or use the nearby map feature to view favored local finds.
And with a spokesbear named Fred the Honey Maven ¬and creative video ads like this one¬ http://vimeo.com/58834365 — it’s hard not to appreciate this bright company’s creativity to attract Mavens.

It will be interesting to see if MavenSay will stick. Are you a Maven? What are some of your favorite features? What could MavenSay do to enhance their app? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.