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PSMA Now Providing Even More Networking Opportunities With LinkedIn
F rom the earliest days of commerce, networking has always been an important part of business.  We like to buy from, collaborate with, work for, and hire people we know and trust.  At a minimum we want someone we know and trust to vouch for the credentials and integrity of those with whom we are planning to transact business.  When we are looking for products, services, opportunities, information, advice, perspective or employment we turn to our network.  The more robust your network is, the more fruitful your search is likely to be.

 
When business is primarily conducted at a local level the networking is a little more straightforward.  As the power electronics business is truly a global industry, networking is a little more challenging.  A quick glance at my professional network on LinkedIn tells me that less than 10% of my contacts live within 150 miles of me.  My industry contacts are scattered across the United States, Europe and Asia.  A key challenge in keeping track of these valuable contacts is the fact that many of them have changed jobs in the last couple of years.  While I may have an old business card for them, that information can become out of date very quickly.  Maintaining current contact information in our dynamic industry can be quite difficult.

PSMA has always recognized that a key benefit of membership is networking.  It is not only essential to what we do as an organization but PSMA is and has been very intentional about providing networking opportunities.  Whether it is our sponsorship of APEC, the hosting of a reception or providing conference scholarships to students, PSMA provides opportunities to meet and interact with others throughout industry and academia that are involved in power electronics.

Through LinkedIn, PSMA is now providing yet another opportunity to not only network but to help manage that network.  Internet-based social networking has seen incredible growth in the last few years.  Facebook now boasts over 300 million members worldwide.  It growth is the result of its ability to help friends connect (or reconnect) and stay in touch.  While valuable for networking friends it isn’t really much of a tool for the working professional.

LinkedIn, on the other hand, is a business-oriented networking tool designed to help professionals manage a wide variety of contacts and to identify relationships that might help them to further their network.  It also allows you to manage the information that is publicly available about you as a professional.  LinkedIn has recently grown to over 50 million members in about 200 countries.  Half of the members are outside of the United States.  Membership is free and you can easily join by visiting www.linkedin.com

In order to facilitate networking within the power electronics industry, PSMA has established a group specifically for its members and those interested in the activities of PSMA.  You can join the group by visiting http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1918832

If you have been wondering if there is a better way to manage your network of contacts than keeping a box full of outdated business cards, on-line networking may provide you with the tool you are looking for.  Joining the PSMA LinkedIn group is a great way to start.


Provided by Marshall Miles,
Senior Partner, Power Perceptions

  

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