IACCGH Hosts LinkedIn Seminar

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Photos: Bijay Dixit

By Manu Shah

HOUSTON: On July 27, over 50 IACCGH members and guests attended a highly engaging and informative seminar titled “How to make your Business Grow Using LinkedIn.” Organized by the Chamber at Madras Pavilion, the seminar sought to explain how the use of LinkedIn – the world’s largest professional network could power their career or business. The seminar was presented by Siva Yenneti, Director at ITVibes, a Houston Web Design Company. (http://itvibes.com.)

In his opening remarks, Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia gave a brief outline about the Chamber and its scope of activities. Welcoming the guests, President Joya Shukla encouraged the gathering to spread the Chamber’s mission and community service programs and promised that they would take away something of value at the end of the seminar.

Siva commenced his presentation by emphasizing that in this technology driven world, businesses are increasingly relying on social media like LinkedIn to source services and attract the best talent. Stating that “sales pitches are boring and dead” he identified LinkedIn as one of the best tools to “showcase your products, your value proposition and your services.”

He also noted that LinkedIn members are 86% decision makers and a surefire way “to get past the gatekeeper to the top guy because success often depends on not what you know but who you know.”

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Yet another major plus of joining LinkedIn is to leverage your connections because it “connects you not just to one person but their entire network too.” The one thing he did warn the gathering to refrain from doing was use LinkedIn as a sales tool. Instead, he advised them to use it to connect, engage and relate with people and “sales would happen as a byproduct.”

A free social media, a LinkedIn profile is easy to set up as its website walks you through the process of uploading your profile information. Based on this data, it instantly matches you to people you may know and simultaneously helps them find you. Siva also advised the gathering to upload a professional headshot picture, include recommendations from past bosses or colleagues and write a short personalized message when connecting with other LinkedIn users.

He also walked the audience through some of LinkedIn’s useful features such as Advanced Search and Connect, Profile Stats, Company Page, Sales Solutions, Center and Pulse. He also added that LinkedIn can run an ad about you for a cost and as a member of the Premier/Executive group, it lets you see who’s viewing your profile. However for LinkedIn to be effective, he stressed that it is important to update your status periodically, be consistent and visit it regularly with “posts, shares and comments.”

Siva, a Chamber member was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his excellent presentation, involvement and support of the Chamber’s programs.

Rinku Bhandari, who recently stepped down as the Chief Marketing Officer at the Consulate General of India, Houston and is relocating to Dallas was also presented a plaque for her outstanding services and support to the community. The Chamber wished her well for all her future endeavors.