ASPPA and Linkedin

[ubermax]

I know that, before the association with Linkedin, the ASPPA practitioner forums didn't draw much activity ; and I'm also aware that communicating via social media is a "now" thing and we sometimes have to break out of old grooved tracks and embrace the new ; but I also think that in some situations "old way" is better than "new way" ; I've been going back and forth between Blink ,Actuarial Outpost, ACOPA, and ASPPA's Linkedin group and I have to say that I like the visual presentation of the others better than Linkedin.

For this benefits professional/practitioner seeing a great many questions and topics together on the screen is preferable to seeing someone's picture with a question and only seeing a few questions per screen ; the search features of the other forums are also better and obviously designed for topic research.

And yes I do have a FB account and now also a Linkedin account because I like ASPPA - but I don't think a social media approach is an efficient one in this case.

Would be interested to know what others think ?

[Andy the Actuary]

Every night I rotate the rabbit ears on my Philco 12 inch B&W console in search of Mr. Peepers on the DuMont Network. Far better than the clandestine faceless benefits banter are the personal relationships that have evolved. I get (and hopefully share) far more from 5-10 minute telephone conversations than from all of the cyber bits we transmit. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when people used to literally talk to one another.

[Effen]

I've been going back and forth between Blink ,Actuarial Outpost, ACOPA, and ASPPA's Linkedin group

I agree with everything said, including Andy's comments, although I'll admit I am more likely to email, than phone. That said, I like Benefitslink organization and search abilities best.

ACOPA may have better content, but the interface is horrible. I have spoken to the powers that be at COPA and they recognize the problem, and have said changes are coming, but so far nothing. The content is good on the COPA board, but good luck wading through the morass. Also, there seems to be a fairly limit number of people who respond. Philosophically the ACOPA board is more collegial. They require real names, which might inhibit some people, and you have to be an ACOPA (actuary) to join.

I have tried the Linkedin group a few times, but so far is seems like it is mostly populated by insurance salesman or other self proclaimed experts who just like to read their own fluff. I also just found out there are other pension related groups in Linkedin. "Pension and Employee Benefits Specialists" and "Entrepreneurial Actuaries" are two groups I just found.

Actuarial Outpost is pretty popular with ASA/FSA types and SOA exam takers. It is a nice board, with lots of good information, structure similar to Benefitslink. I can only really keep up with one board and haven't really given AO a good look, but I know from talking to my friends at the nationals, it is the board of choice for many "real" actuaries.

I never heard of Blink, except for the band in room 182.

[Bird]

I tried the ASPPA/LinkedIn group and was disappointed in the layout as well as the content. Too many links to self-serving articles with limited value which generates yammering between the self-serving parties.

[MARYMM]

I tried the ASPPA/LinkedIn group and was disappointed in the layout as well as the content. Too many links to self-serving articles with limited value which generates yammering between the self-serving parties.

I agree. I wasn't part of the ASPPA Linked In Group, but was in several payroll professionals groups. Coincidentally, I removed myself from email notifications for all of them this morning. There was no value in the space they were taking up in my in-box. I much prefer the BenefitsLink format and the listserv format for the American Payroll Association.

[DMcGovern]

I tried the ASPPA/LinkedIn group and was disappointed in the layout as well as the content. Too many links to self-serving articles with limited value which generates yammering between the self-serving parties.

Two thumbs up on this, I totally agree - or, is that the old way of putting it? - "Like"

[ubermax]

I think having a lot of different forums is a good thing & as Effen pointed out they each tend to draw different professional types - and I'm not faulting ASPPA , they needed to change something since the "in-house" forum wasn't seeing a lot of traffic - Linkedin is certainly a better venue than either FB or Twitter