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SOCIAL P
ROFILES
there are often opportunities to extend these platforms through the platform’s API, a pro-
gramming feature that allows a development team to quickly build additional capability—
based on specific business needs—and extend the functionality of the core platform.
Figure 4.1 PGiConnect: Profile Completeness
Implemented for PGi by Austin’s FG SQUARED, Jive’s toolset worked very well
out of the box. One of the advantages of building on a white-label platform is the speed
with which a fully functional community can be launched. Missing, however, was a
direct feedback indicator to members with regard to not only current profile comple-
tion but what steps were needed on the part of a specific member to move toward 100
percent completion of a personal profile. Taking a page from LinkedIn, a profile com-
ponent was developed that provided an indication of profile completeness and a simple
“what to do next” prompt to move completeness to the next stage.
When designing a collaborative application, provide the means for people to
quickly identify each other and establish common interests and goals. The social profile
really does sit at the center of a strong community, and specific effort in encouraging
that these profiles be sufficiently completed to encourage and support the formation of
relationships is a best practice.
The Profile and the Social Graph
Recall the discussion of the social graph in Chapter 2, “The New Role of the Customer.”
Looking ahead, Chapter 11, “The Social Graph”, will provide an in-depth treatment.
For now, understand that the social graph includes the set of profiles that describe the