LinkedIn announces 1 million members in Malaysia

• Launch of Malay language site in 2011 spurred whole new generation of users locally
• Claims strong demand from companies such as AirAsia, Axiata and MayBank for its talent solutions

SOCIAL network LinkedIn, which claims more than 187 million members worldwide, announced it has surpassed one million members in Malaysia, adding that the launch of its Bahasa Malaysia language site in 2011 spurred a whole new generation of users locally.
 
Professionals in Malaysia are building their profile, connecting with a global network, gaining relevant business insights and seeking out their dream jobs, the company said in a statement.
 
“This is an important milestone illustrating that Malaysians really understand the economic opportunity that lies behind online professional networking,” said Clifford Rosenberg, LinkedIn managing director for Australia, New Zealand & South-East Asia.
 
“As our membership continues to grow, LinkedIn has become an avenue for Malaysian professionals to establish their online brand, gain insights, as well as find new business or career opportunities,” he added.
  
Malaysia is facing a heightened challenge for top talent, due to a limited talent pool and a Gen-Y attracted by opportunities to work in other South-East Asian countries, LinkedIn said, citing the Robert Walters Regional HR Insights 2011 report.
 
With new members signing up at a rate that is faster than two new members per second globally, LinkedIn’s global reach and scale can help professionals and companies in Malaysia connect opportunity with talent through its large, global network of resources and opportunities, the company claimed.
 
LinkedIn’s recently launched Talent Brand Index can benefit Malaysian employers to measure and benchmark the strength of their employer brand and improve their ability to attract top talent, it added.
 
LinkedIn has seen strong demand and response from companies such as AirAsia, Axiata and Maybank leveraging LinkedIn Talent Solutions to take a more strategic approach to recruitment and retention.
 
“Axiata stands to benefit from the growth of LinkedIn members in Malaysia as it allows us to engage with highly skilled professionals in the telecommunications industry,” said Darke M. Sani, Group chief human resources officer for Axiata Group Bhd.
 
“We constantly source senior talent for our operations in various countries from the Asian region as well as globally to keep up with the rapid change in the demands of the industry,” he added.
 
Companies such as Malaysia Airlines are also realizing the benefits of LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, as online social networks are now the new norm for Malaysians.
 
According to a Comscore Report, social networking accounts for one-third of all time spent online in Malaysia.
 
LinkedIn advertisements in Bahasa Malaysia can benefit local marketers by making it easier for members and businesses to share information and create messages that better resonate with their target audience, delivering more compelling and locally-relevant opportunities, the company claimed.

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