Free Essay

Linkedin Corp., 2008

In: Business and Management

Submitted By minhkhangbk05
Words 274
Pages 2
Case Assignment #1
LinkedIn Corp., 2008 Case 9‐709‐426 Rev: October 31, 2008 This case must be downloaded from Harvard Business School Publishing. The Download Site is: http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/relay.jhtml?name=cp&c=c25280 About the Company LinkedIn Corp., is an example of a “Web 2.0” Company, and a classic dot.com Internet‐based company that pursued financing to launch, and underwent launch and growth challenges. The Company operates the Website LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn.com is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. LinkedIn has over 35 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members. How to Develop the Case When developing the case it will be helpful to use the “process” identified in the Case Study Handbook (identified in Chapter 3 of the Handbook) which entails these five phases: 1. Situation 2. Questions 3. Hypothesis 4. Proof and Action 5. Alternatives. Submission Format The submitted case should be on 8 ½ x 11 in. white paper, 12 pt. Times Roman typeface preferably line spaced at 1½ lines. The cover sheet should include your name, the course name, the name of the case, and the date. Please include pertinent graphs and tables in the case presentation. Submission Deadline The case must be submitted in class on Tuesday February 17, 2009. Late submissions will be penalized.

Case Theme The LinkedIn case centers on LinkedIn’s strategy, its risks and successes.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Hsc Case Study

...ACHSAF LinkedIn Corp., 2008 Late in June 2008, a year and a half after becoming CEO of the online professional networking service LinkedIn, Dan Nye announced that a new funding round had given the company a $1 billion valuation. Investors, led by the private equity firm Bain Capital Ventures, had purchased a 5% stake in LinkedIn for $53 million. As a result, Nye now had ample resources to put toward accelerating his company’s already phenomenal growth. LinkedIn, based in Mountain View, California, had signed up more than 23 million users for its service, and that figure was increasing at a rate of 1.2 million new users per month.1 (See Exhibit 1 for information on LinkedIn’s membership growth.) Among members of the service were top executives at every company on the Fortune 500 list.2 “LinkedIn is now so prevalent and so valuable that you have to join it,” said Nye, a Harvard Business School graduate (Class of 1994) and a former executive at Advent Software and Intuit.3 Nye understood that LinkedIn, like the ambitious professionals whom it served, could not stand still. He had arrived at the company in February 2007, and since then LinkedIn had launched a European-based operation, opened up its platform to third-party software developers, and increased its head count from 60 to 310.4 A mere half-decade after its founding, the company had already turned profitable, and it was on track to bring in revenues of $75 million to $100 million in 2008.5 Now, in mid-2008, LinkedIn signaled...

Words: 10297 - Pages: 42

Premium Essay

Linkedin

...incurred * June 2008, Dan Nye announced new funding round had given the company a $1 billion valuation and investors from Bain Capital Ventures purchased 5% stake in LinkedIn for $53 million which both allowed Nye to use the abundant resources to put towards accelerating the companies’ growth (ref 1) * signed up more than 23 million users for its service, which was increasing at a rate of 1.2 million new users per month (Exhibit 1) * Pressure to move away from the walled garden approach * Explosion of new online technologies and new business models under Web 2.0 service (social networking service and professional networking service) * In 2008, LinkedIn was the largest PNS in the world (ref 12) * Vision of LinkedIn – 3 premises * Value/purpose/services of LinkedIn * January 2008 new home page (LinkedIn news, customizable modules, status) * June 2008, to keep in align with the vision of LinkedIn being an “asset to corporations” the company launched products that facilitated companywide networking * 4 revenue sources that drove the LinkedIn business model in 2008 (Advertising, Subscriptions, Job posting, Corporate solutions), but planned to launch a “Primary research” product * October 2007, LinkedIn supports the new OpenSocial development platform by Google * December 2007, plans to open its own APIs to third-party developers * During 2007, LinkedIn doubled the size of its non-US membership; by early 2008, the company signed up...

Words: 390 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Influx

...17 March 2011 LinkedIn Corp., 2008 Individual Case Memo LinkedIn's strategy to date was to become the leader in professional networking (PNS), a leader in business networking. Dan Nye has called LinkedIn a productivity tools that is used to search individuals of various professionals, recruit, find experts and get expert advice. Their strategy was to emerge as a major player in PNS which they successfully did. In 2008, LinkedIn was the largest PNS in the world, drawing members from about 170 industries. The company wanted to keep a strong differentiation between PNS and SNS along with maintaining a large crop of their professional users. The company, through continued innovation and expansion of new products, employees and a growing number of members has made their initial strategies come to fruition. The main risk in their current strategy is that they may be leaving a large number of prospective members on the table by being solely professional networking rather than expanding to social networking, ala Facebook. Most notably, MySpace and predominantly Facebook, has continued to grab a stranglehold of more members each day passing than LinkedIn. Both social networks target a much younger audience that has grown up with the networks. Both have also targeted entering the professional networking platform. Another main competitor is Monster, the world's largest job search engine. The strengths of LinkedIn include their high revenue stream which allows the company...

Words: 1207 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Geely's

...Ford has been trying to sell Volvo since late 2008 to focus its resources on managing its core Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. The sale deal is expected to free up cash for the No 2 US automaker. Geely, an independent automaker that has struggled to raise its profile in overseas markets, has long coveted a stronger foothold in Europe. [Full Story]   Upside for Geely | Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Li Shufu hugs Ford's Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth after signing the agreement on Sunday. [Xinhua] | Geely to get technology, brand recognition The acquisition will offer Geely, a producer with lower-end image, access to a high-end brand and technology it needs to compete with much bigger rivals in China. [Full Story]  Volvo deal to help Geely's going-global ambition At a time when the world auto industry was experiencing huge difficulties caused by the global downturn, Geely's aim, as it said on the company website -- "let Geely cars go to the whole world", seemed very ambition. [Full Story]   Li consummates his love of Volvo Firstly, buying Volvo will give China-made cars an access to the world auto market; Secondly, it is of great strategic significance to enhance the image of a Chinese independent brand and enable China-made cars to have a share in the global stage; Thirdly, it will benefit domestic consumers. [Full Story] Downside for Geely | The new Volvo S60 car is unveiled by Volvo Car Corp President & CEO Stephen Odell on the...

Words: 2189 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Minicase Studies

...by Myspace. Myspace was the early leader in the social networking, it’s attracted the attention of News Corp. After a couple years News Crop. Acquired Myspace for $580 million and year after year Myspace business drastically getting down. However, Facebook getting into IPO in 2012 and before that other investors, Microsoft purchased a $240 million equity and foreign investor group added $200 million following years. Facebooks strategy had less pressure to produce bottom-line results than Myspace did, so the company was able to pursue different business models such as more users first, profits later. Myspace strategy was different first concentrated on a few developed markets, Facebook concentrated on a truly global strategy. So Facebook more popular all across world, 70% percent of its users are outside the US. Facebook’s new competitors in the social media are Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter. Facebook’s business model is based on three pillars: News Feed, Time line and Graph Search. Summary of the Facts The Facebook is now the world’s largest social networking site, with more than 1.1 billion users and over $5 billion in revenues. The Myspace was an early leader in social networking but after being acquired by News Crop, revenues and profitability became more pressurising issues, Myspace was turn down after hitting the global economy recession that began in 2008. The other investors, Microsoft purchased $240 million equity stake and foreign investment group added more...

Words: 426 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Alumni Fr

...Partie Adrien - Audit Interne et Externe (concurrence) L'importance d'un réseau d'anciens élèves est primordiale dans le développement des écoles de nos jours. De plus depuis quelques années elles deviennent de plus en plus puissante depuis la réforme des universités de 2007 qui met en avant la mission d'insertion professionnelle et prennent une place prépondérante et deviennent un atout majeur que les écoles doivent entretenir et développer pour ne pas se laisser distancer. Elles sont maintenant comparer à tous les niveaux (prix, offres, services, effectifs ...) créant ainsi une certaine concurrence entre les écoles. Avec le développement rapide des réseaux sociaux depuis quelques années les distances sont "éliminés" et il devient normale et comme acquis de pouvoir rentrer en contact et/ou communiquer avec les gens du monde entiers quelque soit la distance qui sépare les interlocuteurs. Probablement une des conséquences de toutes les nouvelles possibilités offertes par la technologie, les réseaux peuvent être mis a profit pour développer les réseaux d'anciens à moindre coût . Cependant tout n'est pas si simple, la mécanique d'internet et des réseaux reste encore complexe et il faut donc être préparé pour bien réussir et avoir une vision sur le long terme que ce soit pour le développement du réseau ou que ce soit pour les avantages proposés aux adhérents. Avant tout il faut bien comprendre les enjeux d'un réseaux d'anciens: insertion professionnelle, sourcing, annuaire, offres...

Words: 1539 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Busn319 Project

...DeVry University Gorgon “An Emerging Australian Icon” Dia Coleman July 14, 2014 DeVry University Gorgon “An Emerging Australian Icon” Dia Coleman July 14, 2014 Table of Contents * Executive Summary – Page 3 * Company Description – Pages 3-4 * Strategic Focus and Plan – Pages 4-7 a. Vision Statement b. Mission Statement c. Goals * Situation Analysis – Pages 7-15 a. SWOT Analysis b. Industry Analysis c. Competitor Analysis d. Company Analysis e. Customer Analysis * Market-Product Focus – Pages 15-17 a. Marketing and Product Objectives b. Target Markets c. Points of Difference d. Positioning * Marketing Program – Pages 18-21 a. Product Strategy b. Price Strategy c. Promotion Strategy d. Place Strategy * Financial Data and Projection – Page 21 a. Past Sales Revenues b. Five Year Projection * Organizational Structure – Pages 22-24 * Implementation – Page 24 * Evaluation and Control – Pages 24-25 * Bibliography – Page 26 Executive Summary Chevron Corporation’s (CVX) core business provides their customers with fully supportive administrative and financial management dealing with the integrated petroleum, chemicals, and coal mining segment of the Integrated Oil sector. Despite volatility in commodity prices, depressed financial and debt markets, and political...

Words: 5430 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

Social Media Paper

...following study will analyze how selected small businesses currently use social media, how the businesses may expand the use of the social media medium and precautions small businesses should consider when utilizing social media. The business owners interviewed for the research study vary in their product and service offerings: personal training, music, systems consulting and a karaoke machine retailer. The conclusion of the research will include recommendations for how small businesses may consider the utilization of social media as a strategy to gain or maintain competitive advantage. Social Media and the Small Business Purpose of the Report Social media outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter have widespread, worldwide popularity. According to Facebook's Press Room statistics, there are over 300 million Facebook active users worldwide, and more than six billion minutes are spent each day, by users, online (Facebook, 2009). The allure of social networking is tremendous, making it possible for people to connect globally, with ease and free of charge. Many small businesses utilize social media as a marketing tool because it costs nothing and it reaches a large audience. The purpose of this study is to reveal the strategic implications social media and networking provide for small businesses seeking competitive advantage. The research team will first analyze how social media advertising differs from traditional...

Words: 8364 - Pages: 34

Premium Essay

Strategic Analysis of Nintendo

...Phase 1 Report: Strategic Position Analysis Industry Nintendo of America Organisation Name Organisation Contact Name www.nintendo.com Website URL Email Address 4820 150th Ave. Northeast Address Redmond City WA State / Province 98052 Zip / Postal Code Individual Organisation Type Video Gaming Industry UNITED STATES Country Nintendo of America Inc., established in 1980, is a subsidiary of Nintendo Co. of Japan. They have been the worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment; they have sold more than a billion video games to the world (Nintendo 2010). In 2006, Nintendo created the revolutionary video game console “The Wii". The Wii was designed to attract larger demographic users than other gaming systems. It was, and still, very successful; attracted many people from different ages and it resulted in huge profits since it was created. Unfortunately, recently attitude of consumers and environment has been changing unfavourably for the Nintendo. This analysis is to reveal the key successful factors that made Nintendo a leader in its industry, touch the weak points or mistakes it has done and recommend some strategies to keep Nintendo a leading player. Organisation Background : : : : : : : : : : : : : Organisation Profile 1.1. External Analysis 1.1.1. Pest Analysis In terms of external analysis, it is critical to assess whether the contextual economic, social, technological, ecological...

Words: 10161 - Pages: 41

Premium Essay

Are Franchises That Use “Best Practices” in Social Media More Successful Compared to Those Franchises That Do Not Use Such Practices in Social Media?

...Are Franchises that use “Best Practices” in social media more successful compared to those franchises that do not use such practices in social media?   Are Franchises that use “Best Practices” in social media more successful compared to those franchises that do not use such practices in social media? Introduction: I am a newbie to this thing called Social Media. I do not have a facebook page, don’t go on YouTube, and I have never tweeted. I was forced to utilize texting on my phone in order to communicate with my two sons during their teenage years. Now they are in college and I text them all the time. If I didn’t then I would have never interacted with them during their late high school and college years. The research paper that follows is my introduction to everything Social Media has to offer. I have tapped into many online resources, se the complete list on Appendix A. The topic of my research paper is, “Are Franchises that use “Best Practices” in social media more successful compared to those franchises that do not use such practices in social media?” What is Social Media? Webster dictionary defines “Social Media as forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and micro blogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).” Everyone in the world has gone crazy over revealing everything about themselves on the internet and want other people to know...

Words: 3060 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Digital Camera Market

...Digital cameras operate by taking a picture or video by digitally recording the images, without the use of film or production of negatives. Digital cameras show the image on a display screen imbedded in the camera immediately after the picture was taken. The recorded images are stored on a memory card that often allows for much more data storage than a roll of film. Digital cameras can be connected to computers to download the images, and sending the images out for development is not necessary in order to immediately view the pictures. While originally digital cameras were simply intended to be an innovative way to capture images as opposed to cameras that utilized film, their purpose has come to exceed imitation. Digital cameras have become a visual communication medium, as the images captured with them can be downloaded, edited and enhanced, printed at home or sent to a studio, used for a presentation, or to share with others via the internet, all within a matter of moments. Demand in this industry continues to grow, and is driven by individual consumers, as well as commercial businesses. This growth can be attributed to three specific sectors: digital cameras that are tethered for both home and desk communication, digital cameras overriding the functionality of standard cameras, and digital cameras for use in applications for which film cannot effective operate. Several other industries require photographic services that cannot always be accomplished with film cameras, such...

Words: 1810 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Internet Marketing

...Table of Contents I. SUMMARY EXECUTIVE ................................................................................................... 2 II. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 2 Definition and Benefits of Internet Marketing: .............................................................. 2 Types of Internet Marketing: ........................................................................................... 3 III. HOTDEAL VIETNAM AND ITS INTERNET MARKETING ACTIVITIES ........... 3 1.1 The factors that affect to the internet marketing of the chosen company: ................... 4 1.1.1 Macro-environment: ............................................................................................... 4 1.1.2 Micro-environment: ................................................................................................ 7 1.2 The marketing mix (7P) of Hotdeal Vietnam: ............................................................. 10 1.2.1 Product ................................................................................................................... 12 1.2.2 Promotion .............................................................................................................. 19 1.2.3 Price ........................................................................................................................ 26 1.2...

Words: 12292 - Pages: 50

Premium Essay

Target Retail Anlayisis

...top 10 companies out of the top 100 companies in America falling at number 6. Target offers everyday necessities, fashionable merchandise, home essentials and many more offering pricing at discounted levels. As one of the major retailers in America, target provides an opportunity for success by providing an exceptional guest experience, licensing departments and diversity in all parties involved. Targets purpose is to make everyday consumers make all target retail locations their number one preferred shopping destination in all channels by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional experiences. In this analysis of Target Corporation we will discuss the areas of retailing activities. We will go in depth on how Target Corp. began into the one of the largest retailers in America by discussing a brief situational analysis providing information on Target’s sole mission to consumers, their distinctive retail strategy and to whom this successful strategy is targeting and as well their other monsoon competitors in the industry. We will provide information relating to terms and concepts learned throughout the semester. Once completing the situational analysis we will discuss Target’s tactics in customer service and pricing. We will then discuss multiple integrated marketing communications the company chooses to participate with and then going deep into an...

Words: 4465 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Should the Public Embrace Social Networking Sites

...created TheGlobe.com in 1995, giving users the freedom to personalize their online experiences using their own content. Eight years following this event lead to the launch of Friendster, which was considered a success at the time because within the first three months the user-base grew to three million users. He also reported that 2003 is the year when Myspace became established. Many social networking sites such as Tribe.net, Linkedin, Classmates.com, Jaiku, and Netlog pursed the same success as Myspace, but unfortunately they couldn’t. Later Facebook launched as an alternate way for college students at Harvard University to communicate and have expanded becoming the most successful social networking site to date. Social networking sites have been successful ones because they allow the users to personalize their pages. The success of each social networking site is determined by the number of users and unique visitors that accrues every month. In October (2009), Twitter had about 58.3 million unique visitors worldwide, a 1,238 percent increase from October 2008 (Evangelista). On the sixth anniversary of the day Facebook was made, its co-founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the social-networking site had 400 million users globally (Evangelista). There are many people that use social networking from the President of the United States...

Words: 2117 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Basic Accounting Concept

...Asian Journal of Case Research 7(1) 2014 ISSN 1985-4579 pp:1-16 FUNDING PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES: THE CASE OF JASMINE BEAUTY ENTERPRISE Wan Sharinee Fitri Wan Yahaya1, A.K Siti-Nabiha2, Fathyah Hashim3 ABSTRACT Established in 2008, Jasmine Beauty Enterprise (JBE) specialises in halal health and beauty products that it markets and sells in Malaysia. However, after four years of operation, the company’s founder, Jasmine, is still under pressure to sustain the business. Much of this pressure comes from health and beauty being such a competitive and volatile market, which requires JBE, a newbie in the industry, to invest heavily in brand and product promotions. Not only does JBE need to promote its products but, as customers are not really familiar with the company, it also needs to build brand trust and image. From 2008 to 2012, the company spent RM1.2 million on marketing and promotional activities. However, sales did not increase as expected, and the lower-than-expected revenue has reduced the company’s profit margin. There is also an issue of accrued sales, as a large amount of accounts receivables are affecting cash flow in the company, which needs to be addressed. Overall, these problems are limiting the company’s cash reserves, and its ability to grow. Jasmine felt that the company was not getting value out of the promotional activities and, as a result of JBE’s costly marketing and promotional activities, the company needs to seek a bank loan. A thorough...

Words: 4842 - Pages: 20