LinkedIn recently announced some very cool new features including a Salesforce connector and a visualization tool called LinkedIn Maps. I made my way over to the LinkedIn booth at the Dreamforce cloud expo. I met a Sales guy Brian who gave me a quick run through the new features and how LinkedIn Maps works. The visualization tool is a fun way to see how your network is connected.

I created a short video on the mapping tool:

If you think it is cool and want to create your own, follow these steps

• Go to http://www.linkedinlabs.com/inmaps
• Use your LinkedIn credentials to log in
• Sit back and watch the magic happen
• Add labels to your network clusters (optional)
• Share your illustration with your friends & colleagues

It was timely meeting Brian. Framework volunteer Uma Venkataramaiah and I have been trying to get a meeting schedule with his Toronto colleagues. LinkedIn has a relatively new Canadian HQ. Uma and I have been discussing how to build a partnership with LinkedIn to promote skilled volunteerism amongst young, tech savvy professionals in Canada. A type of meeting to bring programs such as United Way Gennext and other leadership programs to the forefront using a social platform such as LinkedIn. Another for instance is that the Ontario Trillium Foundation staff is very plugged into LinkedIn. Some of the features could be used to augment OTFs volunteer recruitment and recognition strategies (disclosure: I am on the Board, Governance/Policy & Communication committees).

What do you think? Are you using LinkedIn? Do you think Framework should pursue this partnership? Who beyond United Way Gennext, OTF, ArtScene, Emerging Leaders Network should we reach out to prior to contacting LinkedIn?