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Thought I would jot out a couple of notes about the LinkedIn Education Series: Employer Brand seminar I attended on 28 February at the Balmoral in Edinburgh.

I have been in touch with LinkedIn recently about permanent recruitment so when this invitation popped into my inbox, I signed up – not to mention potential breakfast at the Balmoral!

First up – breakfast.  Alas, a pastry does not a breakfast make, but as this is the only negative thing I can really say about my morning – it’s not all bad (notes for next time: bacon rolls are a winner!).

LinkedIn had asked an Edinburgh local, Colin Gilchrist to come along and chat social as a warm up. I have known Colin a while but it was really good to see him speak publicly (which he did well) and whilst he was aiming at a “why do social” audience, he gave me some great ideas on finding influencers and using them as well as how how to go about content planning in a time efficient manner.

Colin Gilchrist @socialtailor

Next, after a wee break Clay Coyle gave a brief talk about the value of brand and more importantly the employee brand ie the employee is now creating a brand that makes others want to work at your company. A key point I took from this was that: brand = decision making short-cut (so it’s worth doing well).

Finally, Nick Goldstein an Executive in Talent Solutions from LinkedIn talked about the ecosystem that LinkedIn had become. He told us that 1 million people joined LinkedIn a week and that whilst 20% indicate they are job seekers it’s that passive 80% that is the key to a great employee.  He noted that traditional recruitment is changing – and that the people not “officially” looking for jobs but attracted to a company brand are the one’s  therefore enticed towards a move and that that is the way forward. Very interesting.

Nick Goldstein, LinkedIn

Incidentally he mentioned that the *highest* traffic in LinkedIn was people looking at other people – what a nosy bunch we are.

All in all, I enjoyed myself and it gave me great food for thought for using at work. AND it’s given me a kick up the butt with an idea I’ve been playing with. I have in the past set up a PA and Exec Assistant Group on LinkedIn – it’s meant to be for PAs and run by PAs in an effort for us to help each other out. It’s a private group (to keep it to the people it’s for) and if you are interested in joining, it can be found here.  The idea is to create a network and forum for the personal and executive assistants that is exclusively for us – not for people to use to get to us.  Look forward to hearing from you!

I’ll leave you with the toilets at the Balmoral!

Ladies Toilets at the Balmoral