What the Microsoft-LinkedIn deal means to you

Microsoft’s acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion was huge tech news, but likely even bigger news for corporate communicators.

Since LinkedIn has grown into such a key tool, the merger will have a big impact in our industry.

It isn’t surprising people are nervous. After all, this isn’t the first social media acquisition for Microsoft. If you remember, they acquired Yammer years ago—which didn’t propel that platform to new and exciting places.

Here are five thoughts on how the deal will affect communicators:

1. No sudden moves for at least six months

I’m no M&A expert, but reading between the lines on communications from the two parties, I can say this: Don’t expect big changes to LinkedIn in the near future. My experience in similar deals is that the first six months to a year were spent researching and gathering information, discovering points of integration.

2. LinkedIn’s gain: Access to huge resources