Building a company from scratch with LinkedIn recommendations – Sasha Strauss, Innovation Protocol
In our continuing series on LinkedIn users who find professional success with the site, we turn to downtown Los Angeles, where Sasha Strauss, Founder and Managing Director of Innovation Protocol, has built his business on referrals — most of which, he tells us, have come through LinkedIn. Innovation Protocol is a Brand Strategy consulting firm that crafts “relevant, clear and effective expressions of our clients’ groundbreaking ideas.” They define Brand Strategy as “the underlying principle that informs corporate communication, [which] has its place in nearly every element of business.” With a client history that includes Adobe, IBM, Johnson and Johnson, Korn/Ferry International, Microsoft, Pepsi, TiVo and Yahoo!, it’s clear Innovation Protocol is doing something right.
LinkedIn User Snapshot
Who: Sasha Strauss, Managing Director, Innovation Protocol (Los Angeles)
How: Sasha used LinkedIn to grow his new company’s profits exponentially without placing a single advertisement. He describes LinkedIn as “an authenticity protocol”, by which professional contacts come to him pre-qualified by the network and accomplishments they represent on LinkedIn. Conversely, his business has profited from his robust network and profile that features 53 glowing recommendations, one of which informs us, “Sasha is a talent so rare, that if he were an animal, National Geographic specials would be made about him.”
LinkedIn Tip from Sasha
Get pre-qualified for new opportunities
• Represent your accomplishments by having an authentic, accurate depiction of your career
• Grow your network by uploading your contact list and reaching out to former colleagues, clients and employers
• Get recommended by connections who know and respect your work so that you can be pre-qualified for new opportunities
Check out the Learning Center to learn more about using LinkedIn
trackback
http://blog.linkedin.com/2008/08/06/building-a-comp/trackback/
Ritu Advani August 8th, 2008
Thats great for Sasha, keeps me motivated with Linkedin.
I am an Interior Designer.On consultation only, we are glad to help with 3D design drawings, Autocad.
We export Indian Handicrafts and Textiles.
For the love of travel, I have extended my career line to Travel Consultancy too. We help with travel arrangements to India and Worldwide. Incentive tours, study tours, trade fairs, conferences.
anthonie August 8th, 2008
Thank you. Good advert.
chaitanya challa August 8th, 2008
This is a very nice blog post. I use LinkedIn myself and think small businesses can use LinkedIn to generate revenue. You can use it to open accounts and generate leads, to find decision makers and influencers, and to make referrals long lasting
Here’s a good article you can read about how to use LinkedIn for these purposes. http://www.p2w2.com/blog/index.php/use-linkedin-to-generate-revenue-and-grow-your-small-business-home-based-business/
Disclaimer – I wrote the post mentioned above.
Mark Joseph August 8th, 2008
These are the types of articles that a budding entrepeneur can really use to help take his or her business to the next level. I am so thankful that linkedin and Sasha are providing us with these tools to be successful. Thank you for all the knowledge.
MJ
Tom St.Cyr August 8th, 2008
Good morning,
I am new to this service. What is the best way to get started with this Linked in. I have been in the telecom business for almost 20 years. I started my own company two years ago. I help companies control & save money on their local, long distance & internet expenses.My territory to drive business is Boston & surrounding towns. I looked forward to hearing from you & helping you.
Thanks, Tom
Sum Total Telecom Plus
(your trusted telecom advisor)
Mario Sundar August 8th, 2008
Thanks to everyone for your comments on the video. Stay tuned for similar videos, one a week, that will be announced on the blog.
@Tom,
I’d urge you to check out our Learning Center
http://learn.linkedin.com/
There’s actually a brief tutorial for beginners. As for breaking news on new product features, you found the right place. Stay tuned to the blog for that.
Andrea Maccioni August 8th, 2008
dear, My name is Andrea Maccioni and i’m the director of http://www.comalab.net international advertise agency for music fashion and electronic market. Most of our business we have done it’s just because we use LinkedIN every day. It’s the best way to find new business contact and propose our creativity style and our portfolio. It’s the best way to propose yor business to find new customers. I start using Linked In 2 years ago and i can’t make http://www.comalab.net without using LinkedIN. Thank you from http://www.comalab.net international advertise & design agency
Luis Henrique Martinez, Ph.D., CEM August 8th, 2008
A suggestion to Tom St.Cyr to respond to his question on how to get the most out of LinkedIN:
Tom, I recommend you take the webinars from Raymond “Chip” Lambert. See his profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondchiplambert
He is an independent trainer that is specializing in LinkedIN training.
Sarah Buhr August 8th, 2008
This is a great blog post. Linked In and other social networking sites can do much to promote your business without using a huge ad budget to get the word out. If you are interested in more ideas on publicity for your biz check out http://www.bigstarpublicrelations.com
Deepak Sharma August 8th, 2008
Hello All,
I have my own real estate business in Dubai, how can i benefit with Linkedin….Plz advise. All your guidance will be of immense help as i wanna take my business to newer heights.
regards,
DS
Helen Pals August 8th, 2008
Your’s is the story I have been wanting to hear. Using Linked-in to grow a business. Congratulations!
My company is a professional event & meeting consultation and planning service. I have primarily used Linked-In to network with service providers and experts in my industry. How do I use Linked-In to expand my presence toward new business without offending potential clients?
Thanks for your input.
Helen Pals
Events, Inc.
kathryn August 8th, 2008
I love the idea of linkedin, but I have found the networking possibilities to be rather limited. I am wondering how I might make those connections more effective.
Charles Kaluwasha August 9th, 2008
Thanks for the article. I am glad to learn that Linkedin can help home business owners to expand thier businesses.
Its good to belong to Linkedin
http://www.LifeOnThenet7.com
Paul Eilers August 9th, 2008
This information has been extremely helpful. It is good to see that others are realizing the power of networking online.
Paul Eilers
Marcos Bertin Schmidt August 9th, 2008
Testimonials like Sasha’s are not only inspiring, but also create potential opportunities for those posting comments such as myself. Which? Well, if you’re reading this, and feel even slightly motivated to take a peek to my profile, there lays the answer.
Marcos.
Werner Krings August 9th, 2008
Great Article, very encouraging.
I got several client through referral from former projects. I have not really yet utilized Linkedin for
my business but am encouraged to do now.
My Consulting firm helps small and medium sized businesses with business plans, marketing plans and branding as well as other business related services.
I help also private clients to pay off their mortgages in as little as 1/2 or 1/3 of the time utilizing an innovative software solution.
Carmen Parnos August 9th, 2008
Sasha’s story is inspiring, I have been deligently building my connections on an almost daily basis, I know there is more that I can do to build my company brand via LinkedIn, question is how? How can I send that message to the millions of people that are 2-3 people removed..?? I love the advertising aspect of LinkedIn and looking forward to having it in Australia.
Carmen
Super Leaders of Australia
Cynthia Maller August 10th, 2008
Sasha and his crew at Innovation Protocol ROCK!
sharad August 11th, 2008
We are manufacturer exporter and retailers of Garments
and Home Furnishings like quilts,cushions.pillow shams
curtains,etc. How can linked in help us ?
Yvette Irvin August 11th, 2008
Way to go, Sasha! I’m inspired!
Kristine Sheehan August 11th, 2008
I belong to so many successful networks and hope to find even more success here with Linked In. Sasha’s story has given me reason to tap back into LinkedIn and pursue business relationships with Linked In. I’m looking forward to meeting new business associates and making new connections!
Kristine Sheehan
The Merry Bird…pen,ink and design
“Your Stationery in Flight”
Jarrett Holmes August 12th, 2008
Great profile. I enjoy learning from all leaders that are experienced and successful in networking and building leads and business online. It plays in to everything I teach my team and will only make your business look as professional as possible and explode your growth. Great job! Web 2.0 is key today in being in the forefront of technology. http://www.JarrettHolmes.com
Sandeep Sawant August 13th, 2008
Inspiring
Great
Mike Eller August 13th, 2008
Referrals are crucial in any competitive service industry. I’m looking forward to trying these new techniques to grow my janitorial company. Go Sasha, Go LinkedIn!
Ward Welvaert August 14th, 2008
This is an excellent blog post. I left a career with a Fortune 500 company to move to Cusco, Peru. I still do most of my work for US based companies almost entirely through referrals and online networks such as LinkedIn, for which I am very grateful.
Rgds,
Ward Welvaert
Blog: http://www.lifeinperu.com
Ash Waechter August 14th, 2008
This is very inspiring. It always helps to have a great product and website.
Thanks,
http://www.audinwebdesign.com
Svetozar Jovanovic August 25th, 2008
I strongly believe in a network like LINKEDLN, the Sasha experience is an example.
Actually I think I’m not yet ready properly to try to get something from LINKEDLN potentiality.
I have to set myself and my activity (for instance a nice web site) properly for a true start not for just a try, but with a concrete structured approach.
I think to have a valuable experience and is possible that when I will feel myself ready to go, I will start to move first steps,
Many thanks,
Svetozar
Mario Sundar August 25th, 2008
Thanks for sharing all these great examples of how you’ve used LinkedIn.
Stay tuned. This week we have another success story, this time from the Software industry.
If LinkedIn has helped you succeed professionally, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
Mario
Sasha Strauss August 26th, 2008
All – great comments. Glad you felt our story was inspiring! A few supplements that I think we all should consider;
1) LinkedIn is as much about giving as it is about receiving. Write recommendations for your colleagues that deserve them. Be proactive about it.
2) Don’t add people you have no relationship with simply to bolster your number of connections. The more true to your network you are, the better chance people will look to you for referrals. Having to respond to a partner who’s asked you about a connection on LinkedIn with “I really don’t know the person you’re asking about” is a tough situation to put yourself in and compromises your credibility.
3) If you attend a meeting, don’t wait to connect with people. Again, be proactive; seek out their profile, remind them of your conversation and offer to connect.
4) Lastly get on the Q&A boards and answer as many questions as you’re qualified to answer – and as often as possible. Earn your right to be referred by proving what it is you know.
Sasha Strauss
Innovation Protocol
Will Jeansonne August 29th, 2008
Thanks for sharing your great success story, Sasha! I use Linkedin to qualify members for our IT Specialist.com Web site to help make certain they are indeed IT professionals. It’s a win-win between our site and Linkedin, since prospective members of our site and Linkedin are encouraged to join each, respectively.
Will Jeansonne
Chaim Lowenstein September 8th, 2008
Powerful example of what can be accomplished using social networking like LinkedIn. Great work Sasha Strauss. Keep us posted of your further successes. It is very informative.
Francis Higgins September 8th, 2008
I agree limkedin is much more to social programming than a meeting place, I too have had profiles on most of the social networks out there, Linkedin is definitively the best for business. When I decided to get a valuation on the Gasta search brand with a view to sale, Linkedin was the first place I looked.
The LinkedIn Blog » Blog Archive A guide to building the right connections « November 9th, 2008
[...] here’s an example that really brought home the importance of trusted connections. Sasha Strauss, Managing Director, Brand Strategy at Innovation Protocol | Adjunct Professor of Brand Strategy at [...]
A guide to building the right connections | Redes Sociales November 19th, 2008
[...] here’s an example that really brought home the importance of trusted connections. Sasha Strauss, Managing Director, Brand Strategy at Innovation Protocol | Adjunct Professor of Brand Strategy at [...]