It looked like it was going to be a HR persons dream set up. I think that has changed, for the better of all.
Commercial real estate digs in.
Let’s start with over 1500 commercial real estate groups. The types of groups run the gambit of commercial real estate: corporate, distressed, investment multi-family, brokerage, and so on. Memberships of the groups start with just a few members and other groups with memberships from 1000,3000,10,000 and yes up to 50,000 people. A quick scan of the groups will net you some quality slideshare presentations, great updates on individuals and quick connects to those same people.
Commercial real estate takes control.
If you have been on LinkedIn for any period of time you may have noticed a change. The groups have become much more self-policing. This is a very good thing. It’s all about business. No Facebook friendliness or cutesy Twitter quips. If you spend any time at all on any site it is obvious you want quality. This plays right to the hardcore, no nonsense commercial real estate business.
What I see that is good.
Regional networking at its finest.
Chicago and Florida groups are diverse and at the same time specialized. They are using it to….wait for it…Network to get referral business.
Groups from individual companies have taken over their own groups.
Colliers is a great example. They have basically said (in a nice way)”Hey quit putting random stuff on here.” “We want to use this for Colliers related peer to peer interaction and conversations.” They want education, conversation and help from and for each other. I say great. It’s your group and you can make whatever rules you want.
Joining different and non commercial real estate related groups.
Think facilities management, economic development. I personally follow a facilities management group. The conversations are educational, interactive, and hey, they know the owners of the buildings.
We are all getting better at this online thing.
This is where I truly get my hardcore commercial real estate content. This is where I find people to follow on twitter. This is where I find people who blog and people who are actually doing deals. Conversation, debate, peer to peer, education, real people with real credibility. They are staring you in the face.
My super special secret.
LinkedIn is a place where I post my Agent Genius posts in discussions and get a high level of comments and response. People are comfortable commenting in the LinkedIn environment.
I see LinkedIn gaining more and more online traction and credibility within the commercial real estate community. Is there another online platform that has even a vague chance of competing? What are your little secrets? Are we just starting to dip our toes in or are we starting to see this LinkedIn online thing as THE place to do business?
