Social Business 2012: Using Social Tools for Business and Competitive Research

About the Session What are the latest social media tools and techniques you need to know to be a top-notch researcher? Traditional resources for business and company information can be complemented by the effective use of social media tools such as LinkedIn, blogs, Twitter feeds, social networking groups and other specialized search and social tools. This hands-on workshop will help you to think differently about these tools as business and competitive resources. We'll cover both resources and techniques for searching, as well as look at non-US sources. If you attended the “Social Business” workshop last year, this year you’ll look at useful new features in some of our old favorites and new tools to add to your research toolbox. Bring your laptop and a company you'd like to research, and be prepared to be surprised by what you find!

Target audience: Beginner and Intermediate levels: Info pros and business, competitive and industry researchers familiar with and participating in social networking tools (such as LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) who are interested in effectively using social networking tools to supplement their research. Beginners will need to sign up for a free LinkedIn account prior to the workshop. Beginners are encouraged, but not required, to sign up for Twitter and Facebook as well. The workshop is intended to be "hands-on,” and participants are asked to bring a laptop so they can practice what they are being taught.

Attendees will: Gain an approach to thinking about research in social tools, effective tool selection and search strategies; Have hands-on experience in the workshop, searching a variety of social tools using examples of their own choosing; Walk away with the ability to immediately start using these tools to add value and insight to their research, and the skills needed to integrate social results into their client deliverables.

Feedback

From 2011 AIIP pre-conference workshops: I attended several workshops with Scott regarding LinkedIn profile updates and Social Media research. In each case, I went into the course *thinking* I was already pretty advanced in my knowledge...but in both cases, I learned a GREAT DEAL and found the courses to be invaluable…I highly recommend that if you get a chance, attend some of Scott's sessions - you'll be very glad you did.