Today,
Here are some immediate changes he noted:
- LinkedIn identity and network in Microsoft Outlook and the Office suite
- LinkedIn notifications within the Windows action center
- Enabling members drafting résumés in Word to update their profiles, and discover and apply to jobs on LinkedIn
- Extending the reach of Sponsored Content across Microsoft properties
- Enterprise LinkedIn Lookup powered by Active Directory and Office 365
- LinkedIn Learning available across the Office 365 and Windows ecosystem
- Developing a business news desk across our content ecosystem and MSN.com
- Redefining social selling through the combination of Sales Navigator and Dynamics 365
LinkedIn and Microsoft’s Initial Announcement
Back in August, SBS Group CEO and President, James Bowman,
How will LinkedIn Acquisition Impact Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Microsoft Dynamics CRM + LinkedIn
Naturally, LinkedIn will probably have its biggest impact on Dynamics CRM and Office365/Outlook. The professional network created by LinkedIn is powerful, and that’s an understatement. LinkedIn now has 433+ million members (19% increase year-over-year) and 105+ million monthly active users (
Also like Jim Bowman mentioned in his post, there will be serious intelligence capabilities for companies that leverage Dynamics CRM. Sales reps will have up-to-date information on their contacts and leads. They will also probably be able to see how they are connected to them and what type of posts they are looking at on LinkedIn. Power this data with Cortana, and sales will be more prepared than ever walking into client or prospect meetings.
On a different note, the integration of Sales Navigator will encourage sales reps, more than ever, to utilize the authority of social selling. Sales reps will be able to find new prospects to engage as well as new communities to share product and service material with. After all, there are over 9 million company pages on LinkedIn to connect with.
Marketing-wise, one has to think that email sends, marketing lists and form captures will be more useful and effective since the marketing department will have access to additional customer information. Integration with LinkedIn will give marketers a holistic view of the customer as a professional, instead of just a name on a list of a few hundred or thousand. Each name will have a face – which leads to better marketing.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 + LinkedIn
Much like Dynamics CRM, sales reps and the marketing department will be more prepared than ever. I would expect the Sales, Customer Service, Field Service and Marketing business apps available on Dynamics 365 to be tightly meshed with LinkedIn. This means better customer data, better customer communication and deeper customer insights.
Another surprise that Microsoft unveiled at the User Group Summit in October was
More to Come for Microsoft Dynamics
I’m sure as time goes on, more specifics will come to light about the integration of LinkedIn to Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Dynamics 365. For now, we at least know that there is a definite interest from Microsoft to improve their Dynamics solutions with the acquisition of LinkedIn.
What are some ways you think LinkedIn will change Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Dynamics 365?