For job seekers and business leaders, LinkedIn has become indispensable for maintaining and growing professional networks.
But for one Terry College of Business faculty member, LinkedIn has become a virtual classroom where his students — and the business management community — can come for advice on supply chains, leadership and even mental well-being.
In October, Marty Parker, a senior lecturer in the Department of Management, was named a Top Voice by the community engagement team at LinkedIn. Parker is the first person affiliated with the University of Georgia to be awarded the Top Voice badge, which is given to subject matter experts who most effectively spread their message on the employment-focused social media platform. Top Voices help followers and “LinkedIn connections” uncover valuable knowledge that is relevant to their careers and interests.
Over the past year, LinkedIn has recruited and trained thought leaders from multiple disciplines to use the platform to shine a light on their research, expertise and perspective on trends in industry and the workplace. Parker has been on LinkedIn since 2007 but has put extra effort into developing a personal brand strategy for the last four years. He has also taken advantage of training LinkedIn has designed for organizational leaders and academics.
“It’s not about how often you post but how deeply you connect,” wrote Parker, who in addition to teaching has worked as a C-suite executive, consultant and executive coach. “My focus has always been on creating conversations that matter, fostering a space where professionals can exchange ideas freely and learn from each other.”
For Parker, being a Top Voice has meant delving into management topics as wide ranging as new technologies in the logistics industry, overcoming imposter syndrome as leaders, and mental health and self-care for executives.
He’s also leveraged LinkedIn to prepare his students for job opportunities, helping them develop their “personal brands,” introducing them to potential employers on LinkedIn and connecting his students into one large network after graduation.
All this network building has paid huge dividends for his students, who have a better understanding of the types of companies they want to work for and more job offers. It’s also been excellent for Terry College’s supply chain management program, attracting a new and more diverse set of students and corporate members to join Terry’s Supply Chain Advisory Board.
