Plante & Moran will be offering a course in how to use the social networking site LinkedIn during orientation for entry-level staff.
The course, Leveraging LinkedIn: Tips to Better Utilize Social Networking Tools, taught by Jeff Antaya, the firms chief marketing officer, said the impetus for the course was to teach basic business development skills in a medium that Millennials understand.
Our entry level audit and tax hires are web savvy but tend to be new to the business world, he said. Most have not considered how social networking sites like LinkedIn can be used for building business relationships, referral sources and new business opportunities.
Antaya said the LinkedIn course content includes getting started, connecting with others, microblogging, etiquette and maximizing its capabilities like creating groups and performing advanced searches. The firm does have guidelines for staff, he said.
We consider any comments connected with a staff members professional status to be publishing by the firm and are subject to the same review procedures as traditional print publishing, although no concerns have arisen yet, Antaya said.
In general, Antaya said, the mix of Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers has created a positive energy and learning environment at Plante & Moran that benefits the firm and its clients.
Each generation is learning from each other. The Boomers have not only experience-based wisdom and skills to share, but tried and true business development skills, he said. The younger generation brings a new approach to business using its facility for technology-based systems and solutions. Collectively we are building the firm for tomorrow.
