Visible Networking

NET - Linkedin vs openBC: a members game

I recently exchanged a few emails with Konstantin Guericke, one of Linkedin founders: we discussed the situation for openBC and Linkedin in Europe. I believe openBC is strong in Europe, especially in Germany and Austria. Linkedin is very strong worldwide. Konstantin shared new figures with me, and made a comment regarding the recent communication from openBC...

I thought it would be a good idea to better understand the current situation for those two excellent social/business networks!

Total number of members: advantage Linkedin
Please find below the growth from Linkedin and openBC (respectively May 2003 and November 2003)

Visible remarks
* Both networks have grown faster in the last 12 months
* Linkedin counts over 4 times the number of members than openBC
* Linkedin has more than 1million users compared to openBC which has 1.7million users globally

Methodology: I used the figures available on openBC (Press Releases & Press Review) and Linkedin (Press Releases & Media Coverage). Of course, social networks don't publish their number of members or subscribers on regular basis, so I had to calculate the average growth rate per month between one official announcement to the following one!

Now, let's have a closer look at 4 specific periods since 2003.

Since creation
Linkedin (May 2003) and openBC (November 2003)






Visible remarks
* Those figures are impressive for both networks
* Especially for Linkedin which managed to reach almost 8 millions members in less than 4 years
* Linkedin will almost achieve its target of 10 million members by the end of 2006: well done!
* I believe it is going to be tougher for openBC to reach its target of 10 million members by the end of 2007...

From creation to March 2006






Visible remarks
* I decided to use March 2006 as a milestone as Linkedin and openBC both published their figures at that time
* It marks the beginning of a faster pace of growth for both networks

Since March 2006






Visible remarks
* Outstanding growth for Linkedin: they add over 13,000 members every single day!
* Excellent rate for openBC too: they add almost 3,000 members every day (even though it has been slowed down compared to the period Dec 05 - February 06...)
* Please note the aggressive growth in Europe for Linkedin. Europe has been identified as a major market for growth. Konstantin is in Germany right now, and Linkedin will target countries like the UK or France in early 2007

Between December 2005 and February 2006






Visible remarks
* Excellent growth rate for openBC during that period: they even matched Linkedin's growth rate in Europe. Well done Lars (and your dynamic team), and keep up the good work!
* The growth rate for openBC in the last 6 months dropped-off though...

Conclusion
* Linkedin seems to be far ahead in terms of members both in Europe and worldwide
* And as an active user, I must insist on the fact that I am still impressed with the quality of the members on Linkedin
* The total number of members is a good indicator, but it would be useful to know the number of subscribers and the ARPU. The quality of the members and their profiles is also critical!
* We musn't forget that openBC and Linkedin have two different business models (I invite you to check my post named NET - Linkedin & openBC: no competition!) Indeed, openBC makes its technology available to other networks ("The platform" - white label service) and is quite successful in that space...

Making available some figures about specific countries in Europe? And subscribers?
I would love to compare the growth of openBC and Linkedin in Europe, in countries such as the UK, Germany or France: so openBC and Linkedin, I very much look forward to hearing from you!
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Technorati: businessnetworking, socialnetworking, openbc, linkedin

NET - Thanks for my birthday!

I was born on the 5th of November... It is quite easy to remember for the Brits as they celebrate Guy Fawkes day! By the way, thanks for all the fireworks! ;)

Every time you register to a new service, you have to enter your date of birth... So, you would imagine that most of those websites would send you an automatic "Happy Birthday"!

But it is quite rare: I received only two automated greetings this year, both came from social networks!
One from openBC, the other from Rediff... One from Germany, the other from India... Two very different approaches.

openBC / XING
It is concise, friendly but not too much. It does not urge me to do anything on openBC. It reminds me that openBC will be renamed Xing.

"Happy Birthday!
Special greetings on your birthday! Here's wishing you all the best, good health, and success in all that you pursue throughout the coming year.
Best regards,
Your openBC/XING team
http://www.openbc.com/go/help"

Rediff Connexions
To the contrary, Rediff's message looks too friendly to me (of to any European?). I found it too pushy too. I know it is a social network (and not a business network), but I am always surprised with their "very friendly" approach...

"Dear Chris,
Wish you a very Happy Birthday!! We pray that all your dreams and wishes come true today.
Go ahead and celebrate the day with your loved ones. Its Party Time!/>
Your friends on Rediff Connexions have sent you their Birthday Greetings.
View all your Birthday greetings now!!!
Gift yourself some new friends on Rediff Connexions today by just:
- Visiting different member profiles and leaving a message on their Scrap Book
- Sending a direct contact request
- Joining / Creating groups
Have a great birthday.
Warm regards
Friends from Rediff Connexions"

What do you think? Please feel free to leave a comment!
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Technorati: businessnetworking, socialnetworking, openbc, rediff

NET - XING already mainstream in London?

I found this drawing in a free daily evening newspaper in London, London Lite (from 24/10/2006).: it looks like XING is already mainstream in London! ;)

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Technorati: businessnetworking, socialnetworking, openbc, xing

NET - Online Business Networking in France

I want to discuss an article I found in the October issue of Management (a leading specialized magazine in France).

It is not the first article about social/business networking in that magazine: the topic is quite fashionable, still intriguing for most people, so it helps selling.

Their main recommendation... To use Viaduc in France!

Key remarks
* They insist a lot on offline / online
* They talk about "courtesy rules" or "the importance of having the right behaviour" on those sites, but they don't really explain what you must/musn't do!
* Most of their contributors are head hunters, except for one banker who says something not relevant about Linkedin...
* It is by far too biased, in favour of Viaduc

They introduce a few websites specialized in business networking such as Linkedin, openBC, Viaduc or 6nergies. They also talk about aSmallWorld and introduce this service as the most exclusive on the web, with an incredible selection process: I have an anecdote about that... :)

Visible remark: the way they introduce this section is a bit misleading as they wrote "From the most international network to the "Frenchest" network" and they start with... Viaduc!

Viaduc
One of Viaduc founders, Dan Sarfaty, is on the cover page. Obviously, the article dedicated to business networking kind of promotes Viaduc.

* "Viaduc is very easy to use"
* "they provide excellent search features"
* About its forums (3000+): this is "the best way to grow your network" and be invited to the parties/events"
* Quote from a user: "many users use it as a tool to find a job, and expect a lot from it without giving much"

Visible remarks:
* Business model: first, I am a bit surprised that they don't say that you need to subscribe to have access to pretty much all the main features! You must pay if you want to use Viaduc: I don't like their approach, and most of their competitors provide most of the essential features for free.
* Interface: I don't like the interface much which is not as intuitive as Linkedin, and far less comprehensive as openBC.
* Status in France: they have done a good job in France, but my opinion is that a significant portion of their members are working in SMEs, and are looking for clients...

Linkedin
* "7million members and 200,000 in France"
* "More for business than recruitment"
* "The average level is higher than Viaduc"
* "Similar to Viaduc, but without forums and offline meetings" -> So, "it is more difficult to build and grow your network"
* "Linkedin is not monitored properly: you find a lot of silly profiles (example: Jacques Chirac) which impact its credibility"...

Visible remarks:
* Quality: I like their point about the "quality" of the members, more senior in their organization, and that you use Linkedin to make business and not only to find a job.
* Features: I disagree with the way they compare Viaduc to Linkedin: basically they say that Viaduc is as good as Linkedin plus they have forums and they organize events... This is untrue!
* New contacts: Another "untrue" statement is when they say it is easier to grow your network on Viaduc: yes it is easier on Viaduc, which is more open than Linkedin, in terms of volume... But what about the quality of your network? Linkedin is all about credibility, trust and excellent relationships: two very different approaches!
* Credibility: "Silly profiles which impact Linkedin's credibility"... What is the problem with that friendly banker? On every single social network, unfortunately, you can find these joke profiles. Remember it is not always obvious: the name can be real, but the content can be a joke! Based on my experience, there certainely are no more silly profiles on Linkedin than openBC or Viaduc...
 
openBC
* "2 million members", "events/forum", "Skype"
* "You must pay 5,95 euros per month" -> "you need to use it a lot to make the investment profitable"
* Quote from Yann Mauchamp: "Service directory such as yellow pages"
* "20 moderators" -> another blow against Linkedin
* "We advise you not to use it if you are mainly looking for contacts in France!"

Visible remarks:
* Price: it is not compulsory to pay to use the platform. Or course, subscribers have access to extra services and features. Why didn't they insist on Viaduc's strategy, which is more restrictive than openBC?
* Wrong advice: I find it incredible to advise not to use openBC if you are looking for contacts in France! You can use French as your main language. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that openBC is very strong in Germany and Austria.
* Interface: The interface is 10 times better than Viaduc's and the team, lead by my friend Yann Mauchamp -the country manager-, is very dynamic.
* Events: openBC organize regular events themselves. To my knowledge, Viaduc does not really organize events but they let the forum/group managers do it!

6nergies
* 13,500 members
* You pay what you want (20 euros per year on average)
* Monthly events in 3 cities in France
* Good reference on Google
* Good example at the beginning of the article

Visible Remarks
* I know Alain Lefebvre, founder of 6nergies, as we were both speakers at a conference about social networking in Paris in 2005. Alain has a blog -in French- named Les Reseaux Sociaux, which promotes his book about social networking.
* The article is good for 6nergies as Frederic Bianchi from Management start his article with a long testimonial from one of 6nergies members

aSmallWorld
* The most exclusive online network
* Members such as Paul Allen or Tiger Woods
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Technorati: businessnetworking, socialnetworking, linkedin, openbc, xing, viaduc

NET - Linkedin & openBC: no competition!

I feel like it was important to talk about two excellent online networks, Linkedin and openBC.
My goal is to explain the key benefits, differences and differentiators, and show you that it is worth to register on both websites which kind of complement each other!

Linkedin's key benefits
* Purely business networking
* Quality of its members
* Simple interface, which appeals to senior executives
* Endorsements

openBC's key benefits
* Between social and business networking (Pictures and html friendly)
* Communication features (messages, forums, events)
* Extra value for its subscribers: offline meetings + PremiumWorld
* Strong in Europe (mainly in Germany and Austria)
* Multilingual
 
Key differences (Linkedin / openBC)
* Business model: Subscribers (InMail, Job Board) + Ads / Subscribers + "Private label"
* Advertising: yes (google ads) / no (add free)
* Communication features: no -limited- (there is an Inbox though) / yes (messages, forums, groups, events)
* Membership: different kinds of packages / one -more limited-
* Premium advantages: depends on the package (more InMail, more info on contacts out of reach) / create groups, events, use power search, benefit from PremiumWorld, discount for offline meetings
* Language: english only / multilingual
 
Statistics from Linked Intelligence by Scott Allen
A couple of weeks ago, Scott created Linked Intelligence. It is a great blog dedicated to Linkedin.
In his post titled LinkedIn Daily 2006-09-06, Scott gives interesting figures which "compare" Linkedin to openbc.

Worldwide comScore numbers for July 2006
(LINKEDIN.COM/OPENBC.COM)
* Total Unique Visitors: 1,346,000 / 1,439,000
* Average Daily Visitors: 75,000 / 142,000
* Total Minutes: 20 million / 47 million
* Total Pages Viewed: 44 million / 90 million
* Average Minutes per Visitor: 15.0 / 32.9
* Average Pages per Visitor: 33 / 63
(Figures obtained directly from comScore Europe – figures are world-wide.)

I agree with Scott's comments: you can't compare openbc to Linkedin. openbc is a platform which help people communicate and interact: members can send/receive messages, post a message on the forums, create an event send invitation and send reminders... It generates a lot of activity and it explains the significant differences in favour of openbc.

Now, I am going to quote Scott, Linkedin is all about "getting more done with less effort"...
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Technorati: businessnetworking, socialnetworking, linkedin, openbc, xing

NET - First impressions on openBC / XING

A couple of weeks ago, openBC officialy announced its future name: Xing, and gave a glimpse of how it will look (check www.introducing.xing.com)

My first impressions on XING
Please find below a video I shot today to share my comments on openBC, and especially their rebranding strategy to Xing.
Shooting a video, and epecially commenting, is a very valuable exercise: I want my comments to sound interesting, natural, and be dynamic! But I should probably invest in a good microphone! ;)



The rebranding to Xing was another clever initiative from openBC's executives:
* Garantied success: They involved members, web designers and other professionals which will garanty a significant step forward in terms of user experience. Moreover, they have a commitment from their users.

* Incredible buzz: They fully leveraged their initiative, implementing an efficient marketing campaign. They created a blog and communicated on this event: it is an excellent example of successful Buzz Marketing! (more on the open design challenge)

Well done openbc!
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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, openbc, xing

NET - Hotelido, "Hotel People Community"

How amazing is that: after wiwih and Gastrolounge, Hotelido! Another social network for the hospitality industry.

Hotelido uses openbc's platform (welldone openbc for another success of White Label!)

Even though it looks like this network is dedicated to people working exclusively in the Hotel space, I don't see any clear differientators compared to wiwih or Gastrolounge...
 

Excellent homepage
But I like the homepage very much, I think it looks very professional.
It is an excellent idea to show a few pictures and introduce the team (all professionals from wellknown companies). It gives credibility to their initiative, and it creates a good "people feeling".

I found out about Hotelido on Guillaume's excellent blog dedicated to the Hospitality industry, www.hotel-blogs.com.

About hotelido.com
"The power of networks, the freedom of knowledge
hotelido.com is an innovative networking platform that has been especially designed for the global hotel community. hotelido.com provides easy and secure access to contact and knowledge management."

If you work in the Hospitality Industry, if are a member of Hotelido, if you know the other networks, please leave a comment!
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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, hospitality, openbc, hotelido

NET - Businessweek "missed" openbc

I am a big fan of Linkedin, as far as I am concerned it is the best site for pure Business Networking, and openbc which is another excellent Social/Business Networking platform that I also use a lot.

Poll about Social Networking on Businessweek
I found a very interesting article from Daniela on openBLOG: Businessweek Is Looking For Your Favorite Social Networking Site.
Businessweek is asking its reader to vote for their favourite Social Networking Site, and all the contenders are only american companies.

I agree with Daniela, and I find pitty that openbc hasn't been selected... On the other hand, it is very us centric and I am not sure openbc has made it in the US... yet! ;)
Next year, with a stronger database of members in the US and more US companies using their platform, I am confident they will compete against the hugely popular MySpace of Linkedin! 

openbc - Key facts
* The largest business social network in Europe and Asia, openBC has been profitable since its 3rd month of existence.
* A large percentage of openBC´s users pay $7.50/month for membership, making openBC the world’s largest paying business networking online community.
* openBC has been recognized as one of Web 2.0’s hottest startups by Business 2.0/CNN Money and one of Europe’s “Top 100” by the Red Herring Magazine in 2006.
* The openBC platform serves as the infrastructure for corporate groups, including IBM, McKinsey, Accenture and others.
* openBC is a 100% ad-free zone.
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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, openbc, linkedin

NET - GastroLounge

I was looking for people involved in socialnetworking on openbc, when I found Christoph Baumann's profile. I got in touch and he replied a couple of hours later, and invited me to join the GastroLounge.



GL is a social network dedicated to the Hospitality industry
"Gastrolounge.com is the network of relationships for companies and their employees in the Hospitality Industry and their B2B partners."

GL utilizes openbc's technology ("white label" service)
The platform is robust and comprehensive (it is not very nice though)
They license openbc's technology: it is a good choice, as I believe openbc is one of the most advanced online networks in terms of interface/features.
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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, openbc

NET - new look and feel for openbc (coming soon)

openbc will launched a new interface soon. You can check how it will look like here.



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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, openbc