On Tuesday, March 30, LinkedIn did what so many organizations struggle to do at this stage of the pandemic. They executed an online event for talent acquisition leaders that had a vibe akin to what we used to feel at in person events. Given that we are now over a year into surviving in a two dimensional world, it is refreshing to see creativity, thoughtfulness and community in full force.  

On a typical Tuesday night, I am usually looking at a stack of laundry, heating up some leftovers from the weekend, and watching the Bruins struggle to score a few goals. (Although it was good to see Brad Marchand back in the lineup.) This Tuesday though, I was fortunate enough to be invited to LinkedIn’s Forward Lounge event after a successful session earlier in the day. The event included crafting a custom cocktail, a lively discussion about recruiting in today’s marketplace with an intimate group of TA leaders, and a live performance by Estelle.

Wait what? 

Yes, that’s right: it was an awesome two-song set by Estelle followed by a little Q&A where she fielded some questions from the crowd. Her warmth, genuine nature and overall presence to wrap up the evening produced head bobbing, lots of smiles and maybe even a few dance moves. It sounds like Estelle needs to hug her mom and take a vacation just like the rest of us.

Sometimes we think about vendors in a way that can be negative because they are trying to lock down a meeting, sign a contract, or just get the metamorphic foot in the door. Given how many times I have heard the term ‘Zoom Fatigue’ in the past thirty days, it was such a big win for the LinkedIn team to find a way to engage a group and treat them to something that will be considered a stand0-out brand experience given the restrictions that still burden our business interactions. 

What I experienced during this session was the equivalent of a big hug from our friends at LinkedIn. Kudos to the LinkedIn management team for blessing the idea, the events team for flawless execution, and our partner team for inviting me.