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Why Would Linkedin Suspend A Motivational Networking Group?
"Why would Linkedin Corporation take down a motivational networking group?"
The group was called "Keep STRONG!"
To help you understand the character of the group which Linkedin suspended, here is its original description:
"It is NOT your job to help those who seek to drag you down, to weaken you. That's their job. Your job is to acquire as much encouragement as is needed for you to have a healthy life. YOUR job is to Keep STRONG!!"
As reported on MyLinkedinPowerForum.com,
here's Linkedin's rationale for suspending the group:
"The LinkedIn Groups feature is meant for like-minded peers who have a similar base of professional experience. Group members should have some structured off-line association with other professionals. We do not feel your group goes with bringing like minded professionals together in the LinkedIn manner. We have suspended this group at this time."
Though it's Linkedin platform, rules, and game, I don't for one second buy that as a plausible justification for suspending a group set up to motivate fellow networkers, and a group which has violated no serious rule - probably hasn't violated any rule, at all.
As mentioned in my response on MyLinkedinPowerForum.com, "Try to visualize going through the course of your networking year WITHOUT having to encourage someone in your network or without someone in your network having to encourage you."
I've moderated a fairly large group on Linkedin Groups for 3 years - almost 8,500 members. I currently moderate many other groups consisting of 40-60,000 memberships. I believe I've responsibly moderated each and every group I own on Linkedin, Yahoo, Facebook, and Ning.
So, here's my first question: Why would Linkedin take down a motivational networking group moderated by someone whose name they've known for more than 3 years and whose groups they've actively participated in? (Linkedin's Founders were some of the first to join MyLinkedinPowerForum.com, starting back in March 2005...)
The group was called "Keep STRONG!"
To help you understand the character of the group which Linkedin suspended, here is its original description:
"It is NOT your job to help those who seek to drag you down, to weaken you. That's their job. Your job is to acquire as much encouragement as is needed for you to have a healthy life. YOUR job is to Keep STRONG!!"
As reported on MyLinkedinPowerForum.com,
here's Linkedin's rationale for suspending the group:
"The LinkedIn Groups feature is meant for like-minded peers who have a similar base of professional experience. Group members should have some structured off-line association with other professionals. We do not feel your group goes with bringing like minded professionals together in the LinkedIn manner. We have suspended this group at this time."
Though it's Linkedin platform, rules, and game, I don't for one second buy that as a plausible justification for suspending a group set up to motivate fellow networkers, and a group which has violated no serious rule - probably hasn't violated any rule, at all.
As mentioned in my response on MyLinkedinPowerForum.com, "Try to visualize going through the course of your networking year WITHOUT having to encourage someone in your network or without someone in your network having to encourage you."
I've moderated a fairly large group on Linkedin Groups for 3 years - almost 8,500 members. I currently moderate many other groups consisting of 40-60,000 memberships. I believe I've responsibly moderated each and every group I own on Linkedin, Yahoo, Facebook, and Ning.
So, here's my first question: Why would Linkedin take down a motivational networking group moderated by someone whose name they've known for more than 3 years and whose groups they've actively participated in? (Linkedin's Founders were some of the first to join MyLinkedinPowerForum.com, starting back in March 2005...)
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?I would say that Linkedin is concerned about all the activity that is created now on MyLinking Power Forum and that this was a way they might "make a point" without actually saying what they meant!
Networking is networking. I don't understand why there is all the confusion involved. Is it just to create a "thread" that people can respond to? Why in the world wouldn't Linkedin be glad to have people wanting to participate in networking through Linkedin ... AND NOT TAKING THEIR NETWORKING SOMEWHERE ELSE???
I still don't understand the people who come and want to meet people ... and then don't want to network. I love the "open networking policy" that so many people have said they use. If I want to be known by people for who I am and what I can do to bring service to them ... I WANT THEM TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME! I am an open networker. I believe that over the last million years of my 59 years in my life ... that I have networked to get everything that I wanted in my life, jobs, business and family. If you don't call asking a neighbor for some sugar when you ran out and already had all the other ingredients in the bowl for a cake that had to be done for school or church THAT DAY ... you don't know what networking is all about. If you don't know that someone you know needs to be encouraged "AT THAT VERY MOMENT" and you could offer a supportive statement or virtual hug at "THAT VERY MOMENT" they needed it ... then you don't understand what networking is all about! It is about support, assistance, caring, laughing, growing and service to others to help them reach their goals. In turn ... you have others doing the same for you!
My pal, Vincent Wright, is the best at networking and encouraging others. He inspires all of us that are connected to him.
Remember, Vincent, that no matter how many groups for which you have monderated ... if you step on toes ... there may be problems. I believe this is what happened in this case.
Please know you are appreciated for all you do!
Martha Sue Yeary
LPGA Member
B.I.O.N.I.C. Golf Pro, Inc.
www.linkedin.com/in/bionicgolfpro
marthasue@bionicgolfpro.com
www.bionicgolfpro.com
I’m frustrated!
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Inappropriate?Vincent, I'm not sure what Linkedin's thinking on this topic is. There could be many motivations. I can tell you this: they should work to make you a friend, not an enemy.
LinkedIn would be better suited to retain you as a consultant, than to hound you and marginalize you from their business model. If they stopped to consider how much you, one man, have achieved in building a business community, they would realize that you have value to them as a friend, colleague, consultant, thought leader and promoter. The sheer magnitude of what you have accomplished, as a lone player in social networking, is staggering; All as an outsider. If LinkedIn's leadership were smart, they would find a way to include you as an insider.
As I have watched their approach to this matter, it has given me pause to seriously consider whether I want to continue using them as a primary networking resource.
Ian Millar
I’m confused and disconcerted
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Thanks kindly, Ian. In spite of my current dysfunctional relations with Linkedin, I wouldn't encourage others to do anything similar to my own personal solution of closing my account. Many people can probably still get a lot of business value out of it...
FYI: you may wish to look at this thread: http://getsatisfaction.com/linkedin/t... -
Inappropriate?Vincent, I understand what you're saying. I did not think you were advocating that others leave. Your frustration is evident.
I have been a LinkedIn member, paid and unpaid, premium and free, for several years. I think I was one of the original adopters before they hit one million. No where near the degree of an evangelist you are, but still an evangelist who has promoted their network to hundreds.
I don't understand why they would not work with you. That concerns me. I have had the intention of making LinkedIn a substantial part of my future career and business endeavors. Knowing that they are unresponsive to someone as substantial a player as yourself makes me concerned.
I'm not saying I would drop my membership. What I am saying is that the loss of respect and cooperation for someone who has been such a strong promoter FOR LinkedIn, on an unpaid basis, makes me wonder how significant of a part of my own future plans I should make this network.
It simply gives me pause. Should I look to other resources? I don't know.
- Ian
I’m disconcerted
