Profiting In A LinkedIn Economy

1. Profiting In A LinkedIn Economy Dannielle Blumenthal, Ph.D. @thinkbrandfirst July 2011 Please feel free to reuse and adapt this presentation with attribution. All opinions my own.

2. E  con  o  my(ɪˈkɒnəmɪ) “The complex of human activities concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.” Definition from World English Dictionary; photo by Dave Hoefler

3. Economists Ask:“How Does The System Sustain Itself?” Family | Education | Healthcare | Politics | Science| Crime| War| Business Image here; Economic areas of study from Wikipedia; Source for cycle concept here

4. Capitalist Businesses Are Mini-EconomiesCreated for Profit Owner produces/distributes product or service Owner sells to consumer with added fee Owner keeps the difference Definition of a business here; Willy Wonka factory image here; Augustus Gloop image here; money image here

5. Production In The Industrial (Machine) Age: A Thinking Worker Threatens Profitability • Until the dawn of the knowledge-based service economy, return on employee investment was win-lose. • In return for subsistence wages, employees performed repetitive, un-engaging, often strenuous, sometimes dangerous physical labor. • Workers who challenged or deviated from routines created inefficiency. • Workers who thought “outside the box” were a threat. • The employer’s attitude: “When I want your opinion I’ll give it to you.” Land (Resources) Factors of Production Labor Capital Factors of production here; Definition of surplus value here; quotation here; grass image here; worker image here; money image here

6. The Industrial Age Is Now Over, Product Manufacturing Is Cheap, and Service (Knowledge) Creates Profit. Image source here

7. Now That Basic Needs Are Easily Available,Owners Must Create Consumer Demand Using Logic & Emotion Definition adapted from: Wikipedia; Image source here

8. They Need Thinking Employees To Create Demand and Cut Costs “Innovation in the current climate is about making processes more efficient….trying to work smarter.” —Frank Ponsioen, partner, Grant Thornton International Source: Grant Thorton International Business Report Survey 2009 (most recent); pie chart created using this free tool

9. Thinking Employees Create Strong Brands • Michael Porter: 2 kinds of competitive advantage— • Cost • Differentiation • Differentiation advantage derives from strong brand • Perceived functional benefit • Perceived emotional benefit • The stronger the brand the more profitable the consumer: • Buys the first time • Keeps on buying • Willingly pays a premium • Buys new brands introduced/endorsed by same owner Michael Porter’s model here; Image source here

10. Throughout The Business Cycle, Profit Is Created Through Brainpower • Production: • During the Industrial Age, employers made money by manipulating vulnerable employees into submission • In the information age, they make money by harnessing employees’ brainpower on their behalf • Consumption: • Business owners depend on employees to cut costs and create customer demand • The brands employees create attract customers to pay more and buy frequently • Customers willingly pay a premium based on the perception of value Definition of profit here; image source here

11. Today’s Knowledge Workers Have SkillsBut Not Permanent Ties Marriage rates are at their lowest in a century and about 2 out of 5 end in divorce. 1 out of 4 children lives in a single-parent household. 2 out of 5 births are to unmarried women. Approximately 3 out of 4 children are not being raised by a stay-home-mother or father. 1 in 6 Americans move each year. The average young Baby Boomer changed jobs 11 times between the ages of 18-44 and Generations X and Y have similar expectations.

12. So They Make Up For ItWith Constant Social Networking Connections Proliferate Updated Frequently Social networks image here; Updating frequency graphic here

13. “LinkedIn” Companies Can Harness ThisFor An Era of Mutual Profit • A “LinkedIn” company is any organization that connects with employees as partners seeking mutual gain • These companies network internally and externally and they encourage employees to do the same • These companies understand that value is added through the process of communicating freely, and learning best practices from all sources, even competitors • The LinkedIn Economy is powered by people who think ahead of the curve and who are also socially connected in productive, long-term work relationships that persist after one has moved from one organization to the next. Image source here

14. How Can They Do It? • It is no longer necessary to exploit employees to make a profit. Rather, profit is gained when they are encouraged to self-actualize. • Employee innovation and cost-cutting builds their careers and their employers’ bottom line. • Work achievements are bolstered when both sides invest emotionally in the relationship. • To make the most of this opportunity, communicate with employees about what the company’s goals are, how employees can help, what the rewards are, and who exemplifies corporate success. Image source here

15. Good Luck!