Can Construction and Social Networking co-exist?

Social Networking has been the huge craze lately. But is it sustainable? And is there any use for it in the construction industry? LinkedIn, branded as a professional network was recently valued at $1 billion. Wow! That's huge and for me, personally, it really doesn't do a whole more than act as an online rolodex. And those recruiters on there? The ones that have 500+ connections, stars, smileyfaces, 50 thumbs-up, and are Featured members; you know the one's I'm talking about. I've never heard from them. Have you?

As I look at the industry, one thing that I heard from Day 1 and still continue to hear today is that the industry is all about relationships. But as I get to thinking about it, where do all my relatonships really stay? In my phone and in my Lotus Notes of Microsoft Outlook address book. Now how am I truly leveraging my relationships if that's where they sit.

How the online network world will end up merging with the construction industry is a loaded problem, but it will happen. Additional services around projects folks are bidding, bid day activities, vendor webinars, education on industry changes will all occur through the niche network. I wanted to write my brief thoughts on the matter, but what do you think? Do you think there's a big need for online networks in the industry?

Feel free to share in the comments.

Comments

[daltonsbriefs]

There are social-network type sites, but none have a large or active membership.

The real estate industry has embraced social-blogging world, with sites like Active Rain propelling the movement. But construction, both residential and commercial have lagged far behind.

Would I like to see it, yes. Do I think that old staid firms will elect to get involved enough to make it happen, no? It may take upstarts who step away from the old firms to shift or even upset the current status quo. That kind of disruption is expensive.

[Daltonsbriefs]

I guess now that I read the post and my comment, yes i do remember. The question is has anyone really been able to harness our industry to make the jump to social media? Is there even a solid platform for doing so, one that augments the existing media groups but helps our specific industry connect? May be, but I haven't seen it yet. Have you?