Episode 140

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Published on:

3rd Dec 2016

Linked-In-the-bin

Welcome to episode 140, this week I thought we would have a bit of fun with our new gameshow! Hopefully it will not only put a smile on your face but also provide some useful information & tips.

But first……


Interesting Stuff I Saw This Week


Ransomeware There have been lots of articles and scaremongering about images on social media this week. This article actually sums up the ‘ransomware’ issue quite accurately.


The Truth Behind Malware On Facebook, LinkedIn; Google's New Policy On Malware Sites Freaking Scary


The reality is that you have nothing to worry about by browsing your LinkedIn feed, viewing and sharing images. The only time you should ever be concerned is when you download images to your PC (Mac not affected). This is not likely to happen, the only situation I can imagine you being at risk from is if someone sends you a message with an image attachment - in this situation, only download that image if you are 100% sure of the source.


Whilst we are talking images, I noticed this week that LinkedIn have still not corrected the image sharing issue I highlighted in this post I wrote back in May; Please Don’t Share My Image


I had heard that one of the reasons they have redesigned the desktop experience was to allow them to fix such issues (apparently the old platform made it difficult to fix issues such as this) so optimistically I checked out the new UI to see if had been fixed. Here is what I found…..


Microsoft Takeover


Apparently Microsoft had their eye on LinkedIn for many years…I bet the price wasn’t anywhere near $26.2b in 1996! You can read the article here; Microsoft has courted LinkedIn since 2006, founder says


Introducing our new game - Linked-in-the-bin!


I’m trying something new this week. It’s mainly a bit of fun but I’m hoping you might find it useful as well. The format is based on the BBC TV series Room 101 where contestants nominate something they wish to be banned and sent to room 101.


In this version I have invited two of my respected colleagues/competitors from the world of LinkedIn Trainers to nominate which LinkedIn feature they would like to dump ‘in the bin’


The format works as follows;


  • Each person has up to 2 minutes to explain why their chosen feature should be dumped in the bin.

  • The other 2 contestants get to counter this with their own argument as to why the feature shouldn’t binned. Each person has up to 1 minute of rebuttal.

  • The original nominator gets the final word. Just 30 secs to come back on the others arguments.

  • The winner is decided by you, simply vote by Tweeting your vote using #linkedinthebin and the name of the person whose feature you agree should be binned.

For example Tweet : #linkedinthebin I vote for Mark.  Of course you don’t have to vote for me!


The contestants.


As well as myself I have invited Steve Phillip and Angus Grady to this inaugural Linked-In-The-Bin show. Both are respected UK based LinkedIn Trainers (click on the images below to view their profiles;


Features for the bin;


Angus - Default invitation to connect messages Mark - Skill endorsements Steve - Groups


Have a listen to all three arguments and vote for the one you think is the most compelling by tweeting #linkedinthebin and one of the names above.


New Desktop Design Update


I tried to write a recommendation for someone this week and this is what happened;


Drop me a line if you get the new desktop ‘experience’ this week at mark@linkedinformed.com

Mentioned in this episode:

This show was created by the original host of the show, Mark Williams.

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About the Podcast

Informed: the podcast for LinkedIn® users
A podcast for anyone interested in LinkedIn® best practice
"Informed" is for you if you'd like to understand more about how LinkedIn works so that you can be an effective user of the platform.

It's hard to know whom to believe with so many self-appointed gurus out there telling you the latest hacks for going viral and earning 7-figure deals. And even LinkedIn's own publications often don't speak to the reality of using the platform.

But for those who see past superficial promises and sanitised reports, this podcast provides evidence and thoughtful opinion. With a track record of more than 10 years of sensible, no-nonsense advice about honest best practice for LinkedIn, Informed is a trusted source of insight by many thousands of regular listeners.

The show was created by Mark Williams, who's affectionately known as "Mr LinkedIn". Mark retired in late 2025 and handed over the reins of the show to John Espirian, the relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn nerd. John is a LinkedIn trainer and consultant, the founder of the Espresso+ community, the creator of the UpLift Live conference (the UK's original event dedicated to LinkedIn best practice), and the author of the personal branding handbook Content DNA.

John's reputation is for getting to the point and for not being a salesy douche canoe, so you can expect short, sharp episodes with zero ads or sponsored slots. This also is NOT an interview show, so if you've read this far then please don't pitch yourself for a guest appearance. However, you're welcome to get in touch if you have a LinkedIn question you'd like John to cover on the show. (To do that, search for the "Informed podcast" company page on LinkedIn and send a message.)

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John Espirian

Relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn® nerd, trainer and consultant who specialises in LinkedIn best practice for individuals, small businesses and corporates. I wrote the personal branding handbook Content DNA, I founded the Espresso+ online community for small business owners and I'm the creator of the UK's original independent conference on LinkedIn best practice, UpLift Live.