I'm sure for me it's mostly gruntwork as you put it, (though I'd be up for the personal video) but I think that instant gratification is what moves LinkedIn down the list for some folks.

Just my 2 cents.

In speaking with many professionals in their search for the perfect career opportunity, I find too many of them “stop practicing when they get to the majors”. While many should get the analogy, I simply mean too many professionals stop using the basics of business and networking once they believe they have arrived at the job of choice.

Just think about the elite athletes/coaches that we watch on the weekends…they work their tails off consistently. I have met Urban Meyer personally and I know why he needed a break. He is clearly one of the most intense competitors and committed coaches ever to coach college football. Peyton Manning, while he did not win the Super Bowl this year, his legend speaks for itself and there is very little argument against him being the most studied and prepared player on the field.

LinkedIn is a “tool” and a very effective tool for those who are not about resting on their past successes and understand that greatness is a journey and not a destination. The day you stand up and think you have figured it out is the same day someone is passing you by. Secondly, people need people in order to be successful. Why would someone not recognize that Linkedin contains some of the most influential business people globally and they are essentially waiting for you to creatively engage them with a smart idea.

Yes it takes work to network but we are no longer in an age of climbing the corporate ladder as it has become an everyday process to seperate yourself from the pack and stay on the ever moving escalator of business! Linkedin is a great tool and is very much ALIVE!!!