LinkedIn Launches Tool to Measure Users’ Professional Brand
Users with a high Social Selling Index are 51% more likely to meet their sales targets
LinkedIn has released a data-driven score tool called Social Selling Index (SSI), which enables companies to measure how successful they are at promoting their brand on the site, and how effective they are at engaging other members.
LinkedIn’s SSI monitors users’ activity across four categories; professional brand, finding people, engaging with insights and building relationships, in order to generate a score out of 100, which members can use to compare with their network and industry, and measure progress over time.
The social network claims that sales people with a high Social Selling Index are 51% more likely to meet their targets. and further hope that this recent development will encourage users to better use its platform in order to reach the many users involved in the B2B decision making process.
Kevin Scott, head of LinkedIn Sales Solutions, EMEA said: “The use of social media for business development and sales is not a new phenomenon, and ‘social selling’ is becoming well established. However, this is the first time professionals have had access to a data-driven tool that looks at a broad range of factors to help them identify areas where they can improve over time and, ultimately, be more successful growing their businesses on LinkedIn.”
Previously only available to paying LinkedIn users, the tool has now been rolled out across its 380 million users.
Experiencing the other side of Napier: Life as a Napier Intern
Time really does fly when you’re having fun! I can’t believe I’ve now been interning one day a week at Napier for over four months! In my time here, I’ve been helping the Napier team with several little (and sometimes big) tasks, and it’s been really insightful to have spent some of my time here helping Aimee, the business development executive. Business development is completely different from what I have previously done whilst working at Napier, and having come from a solid PR background, it’s been great to see the other side of Napier and develop an understanding of the process of how Napier targets potential clients and markets itself, as well as the clients.
Whilst working with Aimee I have spent a lot of time researching interesting blog ideas and new target companies, as well as updating content for Napier and actually writing some of the content which is very fun – as I do like writing. I’ve learnt that business development (or biz dev as we say) is something that I would definitely consider pursuing.
My university studies are going well. I have now finished the first term of my third and final year and have received my grades back for the first term modules. I’m happy and am on track to get a 2:1 or even a 1st class if I really push myself.
I have also now started, very slowly, to write my dissertation. For someone who likes writing – 10,000 words on a topic of my choice is shockingly hard to do. Being somewhat of a perfectionist it makes it a particularly hard to finish one section and move on to the next. And one thing I’m really not looking forward to do is paying for the printing of two copies once I eventually finish it! (I am a student after all!)
Although it does help and keep me on track having a supportive team asking me how I’m doing each week, and how much work I’ve done on my dissertation. I find it especially helpful knowing Napier has two employees, Diana and Cara, who have graduated from exactly the same course as me.
My time here has flown by, even though I only come in once a week, but I’m really looking forward to spending my final month working on some great campaigns for Napier!
Returning to Napier for round 2…
Hi, I’m Chloe Attwood, now a third year student at Southampton Solent University studying BA (Hons) Public Relations and Communication. During the very long summer break us PR students get, we are required to complete 2 two week industry placements. I knew I wanted to work at a B2B PR agency and when Mike Maynard, managing director of Napier, offered me a chance to work for them I was thrilled.
I first joined Napier back in May, which scarily seems not that long ago! I was at Napier for a total of six weeks doing everything from writing tip sheets to editing videos and using SEO tools to measure the successfulness of key words on client’s websites. I loved working in a B2B agency, it was everything I expected busy, a little stressful and a lot of work, but everything about that appealed to me.
When my six weeks came to an end at Napier, I completed two other PR internships over the long university summer break. It was really good for me to do internships, it kept me busy and I really would recommend other students do it, even if it’s just to clarify that you’re doing the right course and the industry is the one you want to spend the rest of your life in.
I was offered the chance to come back to Napier when my six weeks was up on a one day a week basis, which of course I accepted. Now I’m back just one day a week helping out doing things such as writing blog posts, organising events and writing material for the Napier insider. If you haven’t already guessed – I like to write.
So now instead of being at Napier full time, I’m here just one day a week. I really did miss the team and the working environment, it’s so different from being a student to say the least. One thing I haven’t missed though, are the dreaded trains!
Being at Napier has not only given me real PR experience but it’s also confirmed that working in a B2B environment is what I want to do.
So let’s bring on next month’s adventures…
Napier Grows the Team with Two New Hires
Napier continues to expand its team by appointing Mike Flower as senior account manager and Chloe Attwood as a PR intern. Both Mike and Chloe join Napier at a time of growth for the company, which has won four new clients in the IT and Electronics industries since the beginning of the year.
Mike brings considerable technology PR and marketing experience to Napier, having held a number of positions in the industry, including working at global PR agency Edelman, running an international marcom business in Finland, and a variety of roles at B2B technology publishers. Mike will provide strategic direction and campaign execution for a range of technology accounts, as well as supporting the team with his technical writing skills.
Chloe, who is currently studying towards a Public Relations degree at Southampton Solent University, will work on a range of projects including content generation, business development and video production.
Welcome to the team Mike and Chloe!