Date: 22. November 2016
Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe announced in the summer that the dating app would be expanding into the world of professional social networking. Operating very much like a dating service, users must upload career-related information and the app will use it to find potential contacts. A "swiping" system means that if two professional swipe right on one another, they’ll be matched and can communicate. The service has been dubbed "BumbleBizz".
"The whole point of BumbleBizz is to change the way people network," said Ms. Wolfe.
Digital Networking is Sorely Behind
According to the Bumble founder, the landscape of professional social networking is lagging in comparison to the likes of other social media and online dating sites. Such platforms have made considerable progress in the last couple of decades but the likes of LinkedIn and its peers don’t seem to be up to scratch. Ms. Wolfe states that a “resume-first” approach will help to make it about the person behind and allow professionals to harness the power of introductions.
An Opportunity for Women
Much like the dating app itself, BumbleBizz puts women at an advantage. On the dating platform, it is women who have to send the initial message to a match. The same rule will also apply on BumbleBizz. When matches happen between female and male contacts, the female user will have a space of 24 hours to begin a conversation. Wolfe says, "It's about letting the woman know that it's okay to be outspoken, it's okay to be confident."
Source: adage.com
