Colleen:
LinkedIn hosted more than 4,000 folks this year at Talent Connect 2015 and there is no doubt everyone who walked, danced and skipped into Disneyland on Wednesday night were having a great time at LinkedIn’s bash. Who doesn’t like Disneyland, right?
Erin and I noticed the breakfast lines were a bit shorter at 8am the morning after the big party. That was ok with us and gave us a chance to meet up with someone I met last year who works with LinkedIn. She has the opportunity to do awesome work for a company she loves. People who have been at LinkedIn for a while (veterans are those with 4+ years at LinkedIn) have such respect for Jeff Weiner, the CEO and are excited that he’s been leading product development for the last year. The new and improved (no hype or advertising blah, blah, blah) flagship app apparently has his mark on it. It’s his vision realized.
There is something to be said when the CEO jumps in and drives key initiatives, listens to customers and puts a stamp on great design and meaningful products (hmmm….who else do we know that did that?) I think it’s what amazing CEOs do.
By the way, LinkedIn has grown so fast over the last two years that don’t be surprised if you feel like you know more than they do about their own product when you speak with them. They too experience a learning gap. No excuses, just their reality.
As I reflect on six or seven breakout sessions, Erin and I each found that themes clearly emerged. Some may come as a surprise, some not so much.
Erin and I were also trading “yeah, that was great” and “hmm, this was a bit off course” throughout the conference and especially as we write this blog post. (…with a bag of peanut M&Ms between us)
LinkedIn is tackling big questions and racing to answer them. They are questions that are difficult to act on quickly because of their size, but they know they are important to push through.
Project Voyager (the code name for their new mobile app) originated from this one question. A big question.
My favorite breakout sessions were filled with humor, insight and skilled presenters who shared how doing something different is bold and necessary for companies of all sizes.
Perhaps one of our most valuable conversations happened on our way out, when we stopped one last time in the inLounge near Product Feedback and had a fifteen minute conversation with the Product Managers for one of LinkedIn’s new products. They asked and we shared. I saw a bit of “whoa” on their faces. When they asked what we did, they were a bit more interested. It was fun to give them some insight from our perspective and the perspective of our clients.
You will see much of what we learned and continue to process (I just took two Advil and am out of Peanut M&Ms) in our upcoming blogs, and in how we continue to teach, coach, and consult on LinkedIn with our clients.
It’s been fun to be here in Anaheim and now we are off to client meetings and a fun weekend in San Diego.
Erin:
It’s day 3 and I’m delirious. We’ve spent 3 days and 3 nights in Anaheim and I feel like we just arrived and, simultaneously, like I can’t quite remember my life before Talent Connect 2015. Needless to say, it’s been quite a ride.
Following the product announcements at the beginning of day 2, I’ll admit that it was a challenge to focus on my breakout sessions. But there was so much great information and ideas to learn from! Here are a few highlights:
One final and important takeaway:
The LinkedIn team is brilliant and passionate. (And they know how to throw one heck of a party). I had numerous conversations with LinkedIn team members, who are carefully considering each aspect of their products and services and working hard to stay ahead of the game. Sometimes they miss a step, but it’s certainly not due to a lack of effort. What they have in store for us (us = all LinkedIn members) is going to be really awesome. It’s going to enrich our professional lives and create new opportunities. I’m really excited.