LinkedIn – creating a community

LinkedIn offers a great opportunity for office products companies including suppliers, dealers and wholesalers, to engage with each other and improve ways of working.

It has its benefits over other types of forum, too. Some forums are open to abuse. This is generally caused where people can engage anonymously. It is very easy to post unconstructive and sometimes defamatory comments when you don’t have to admit your identity. But LinkedIn offers a professional, business-like environment in which to engage and share ideas, knowledge and opinion.

I have recently delved into the world of LinkedIn Groups and set one up for Spicers UK. It’s a small but growing group of like-minded people who want to make a success of their business – be they Spicers employees, suppliers or dealers. Having posed a couple of questions to members, it’s interesting to see that, despite the growing size of the group, there is an apparent nervousness to be an early contributor.

But the benefits outweigh the risks. The site can be well controlled to ensure it includes only relevant members and content. In addition, ideas can be developed to benefit all parties and aid the survival of businesses in the industry through tough economic times.

Supportive communities can be a vital lifeline in times like these. So if you’re a supplier or dealer in the UK office products market, why not take a look and see how we can all work better together.