5 comments about Let's Connect: Using LinkedIn to get ahead at work.

1. Many people get an invitation from a friend or colleague to join LinkedIn. They accept, sign up, get a couple of other links and then wonder, "now what?" So they sit with a LinkedIn account and do nothing further with it.
   
   Others may put a little more effort in it; they invite their friends and colleagues, check the size of their network regularly and feel happy they're making progress. And yet, they're still not using LinkedIn to its full potential.
   
   If you're one of those people who has an account but doesn't quite know what to do with it, then Ajay Jain's book is for you. Not a how to use LinkedIn manual, Let's Connect: Using LinkedIn to get ahead at work is a guide to using LinkedIn strategically.
   
   Jain's book is a nice mix of practical strategies and quotes from LinkedIn users illustrating how they've used the methods Jain is writing about. These mini case studies add real authority to Jain's book and are interesting reading.
   
   For example, Jain writes about strategies for using the Answers section of LinkedIn to your benefit. You can pose questions to conduct market research or to get ideas to solve a business problem.
   
   You can also use Answers as a subtle form of marketing; by asking questions related to your field of business you put your name - and perhaps your website - in front of potential customers who may visit your site or start a conversation. Or they may invite you to become a connection.
   
   Let's Connect includes some ways for using LinkedIn that I hadn't considered. If you are hiring an employee, looking them up on LinkedIn can potentially find you information that you couldn't get elsewhere. While candidates tailor their resumes to the position they're applying for, they may have a more complete resume on LinkedIn.
   
   Furthermore, if they are connected to someone you know personally, you may get more information about this person than by contacting their past employers. You also know that any recommendations are real and haven't been altered by the candidate.
   
   Jain also provides some information about LinkedIn that is not widely available. For example, you have a lifetime supply of 3,000 invitations. When you've used them up, that's it. Forever.
   
   This is one piece of information I've never seen publicized on the site. As a result of reading Jain's book, I'm a little more choosy about who I send invites to. In fact, for people who are not currently a member of LinkedIn, I'm considering sending them invites by regular e-mail so that I don't waste an invitation on someone who may not be interested in joining LinkedIn at all.
   
   Overall, I enjoyed reading Let's Connect. I'm planning on using some of Jain's strategies to build my own network and my own business. If you're a member of LinkedIn - or thinking of it - and aren't sure how to use the site effectively, Jain's book is a worthwhile purchase.
   
   Andrea J. Stenberg
   [...]



2. Ajay Jain's book, Let's Connect, is a worthwhile introduction to LinkedIn, the professional networking site for business people and professionals. Many LinkedIn users have contributed their ideas and perspectives to Let's Connect.
   
   Jain explains that LinkedIn is more than a bigger rolodex. He goes on to discuss the importance of quality versus quantity of network. He explains many advantages of connecting online with other professionals, yet cautions users to be careful with whom they are connecting. You'll learn how to avoid pitfalls and what you should expect from the site and your participation. The LinkedIn site continues to grow and change, but this book will give you an idea of how to use it to become a valued member of a global business community.
   
   This book is aimed at those considering LinkedIn. But it's also useful for people who have not yet discovered the opportunities to demonstrate their responsiveness, generosity, and expertise by using the question and answer (Q & A) features.
   
   As for this reviewer, LinkedIn has resulted in new and now ongoing client relationships. If you want to know what it is, why you should use it, and get suggestions from users who are making it work for them, then get this book.



3. I enjoyed this book as someone who is specifically interested in Online Social Networking properties. The Author is definitely an expert in using LinkedIn and provided numerous facts about the service that the average person would not know. I did not know that there is a limit to the number of invitations that a user can send out (3,000). There were too many quotes from people that I had never heard of to suit my taste but that would not prevent a new user from gaining a lot of value from this book.



4. The book's subtitle "Using LinkedIn to get ahead at work" shows exactly what it is all about.
   
   The 200-page book is better than a regular manual on how to use technical features of LinkedIn, the most successful professional networking site nowadays. (Such manuals can get outdated even before their publication date I believe, as the technology is being developed very fast)
   
   The author put together LinkedIn members' best experiences and collective wisdom in the chapter "Ten Ways to Get LinkedIn to Work for You" as follows:
   
   -Your Ever Expanding Rolodex
   
   -LinkedIn Answers: a Global Focus Group
   
   -Networking Plus
   
   -Branding and Marketing Yourself
   
   -Hiring People
   
   -Finding a Job You Love
   
   -Finding Vendors and Service Providers
   
   -Running Background Check
   
   -Entrepreneurs: Get Opinions and Investors
   
   -Selling and Brand Building
   
   The LinkedIn professionals cited throughout the book range from the experienced and famous to new members.
   
   It reflects the fact that the book is helpful for everyone, as really LinkedIn is, in developing one's career, getting contracts and professional contacts.
   
   "Do you want to be Linked In or Linked Out? The choice is yours", as the author suggests in his introductory chapter.
   
   O.K.



5. I have spent some time at bookstores reviewing the different LinkedIn books and this by far is the best. Not only is it well written, informative and organized, but it's a quick and easy read (almost like a "tips" book). I was able to get up and running within a short time and feel like I knew what to do. I can see the value in LinkedIn for networking, job hunting and business development.

No comments about Nonprofit Mergers Workbook Part I: The Leaders Guide to Considering, Negotiating, and Executing a Merger, Updated Edition.

No comments about Business As Unusual: Handbook for Managing and Supervising Organizational Changes.

1 comments about Retire in a Weekend.

1. This book is perfect for any recent retiree or pre-retiree who wants simple, straightforward information on retiring. The author keeps the content light, sometimes humorous but right on target. You won't get lost in jargon or industry words but rather will gain the knowledge to be able to retire when you want, where you want and how you want. Highly recommended to everyone!

No comments about Performance Conversations: An Alternative to Appraisals.

No comments about 101 Tips for Maximizing College Financial Aid - Definitive Guide to Completing 2008-2009 FAFSA.

5 comments about Buy Even Lower: The Regular People's Guide to Real Estate Riches (Regular Riches).

1. * Spells out clearly the different investment models available to the real estate investor
   * Helps one to select the best investment model that is best suited to an individual's specific time, money, knowledge, goals, and risk aversion
   * Clearly identifies what an investor needs to look for in a real estate investment
   * Provides an invaluable evaluation method for the myriad of different properties, and gives an investor a specific formula to use for calculating the Maximum Purchase Price of any investment property an investor might be interested in purchasing.



2. This book really helped me understand different investment approaches for real estate investing. I learned how to figure out when to apply different models for different situations (incl. my current situation)!
   
   I'm definitely a smarter real estate investor now after this read (although still a few books from guru status...)



3. This book is excellent because it is not only for new real estate investors, but is also for experienced real estate investors. The authors have put their own rules to the test by following their own advice and share their secrets in how they have invested in the real estate market. Very clear and concise. An absolute must have!



4. I found this book a bit boring. It wasn't very insightful. It just didn't get me excited about investing in real estate. If you're looking for something a little more practicle, and a lot more exciting, I'd recommend taking a look at Bubble Proof: Real Estate Strategies that Work in any Market.



5. I've read a lot of books on Real Estate investing and to me, most of them are just feel good books, with a gem or two to keep. This one was the mostly helpful I've seen to date. Giving you formulas, recipes and actual cases that they have gone through. It's an easy read and quick. It works out as a reference as well. If you are interested in Real Estate Investing, you can't go wrong reading this book.

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No comments about U.S. Master Multistate Corporate Tax Guide (2008) (U.S. Master).