NEW YORK – May 19, 2009 – SelectMinds, the leading provider of corporate social networking solutions, today announced the launch of Grant Thornton LLP’s new employee social network. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International, one of the Global 6 accounting organizations with operations in 100 countries.
Unlike public sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn, Grant Thornton LLP implemented SelectMinds’ private, secure social networking solution to increase employee engagement levels and provide opportunities to foster firm relationships on a more personal level.
Grant Thornton’s employee social network is designed to meet the increasing demands of employees to connect and engage with each other through social channels including individual profiles, forums and blogs. For example, Grant Thornton’s network includes an Executive Team blog where employees can discuss a variety of topics with executives, and other discussion forums for women and diversity groups, new hires, and others. The network also provides direct access to the firm’s Microsoft SharePoint system with additional integrations planned for the future.
Corporate social networking is not new to Grant Thornton LLP, which launched its alumni social network with SelectMinds five years ago as way to remain in touch with retired partners and former employees. Now 13,000 members strong, Grant Thornton’s alumni network has helped strengthen its culture and brand, generate new business, and augment the recruiting of experienced professionals through rehires and referrals. Grant Thornton’s alumni and employee network are built on the SelectMinds platform, easily giving alumni and employees the opportunity to connect and network with each other.
“Our employee social network serves as an important vehicle to build and foster relationships with current and former partners and employees, bolster connectivity among diversity and inclusion groups, and create a secure environment for collaboration and community,” said Anne Lang, chief human resource officer, Grant Thornton LLP. “SelectMinds has been instrumental to the success of our alumni network and we look forward to similar results with our employee network. Their deep understanding of our strict compliance policies ensures we have a secure system that supports employees in developing new relationships inside and outside the firm.”
“Since 2004 we’ve worked closely with Grant Thornton LLP to ensure that their alumni network delivers value to the firm through positive branding, new business development and recruitment efforts,” said Anne Berkowitch, CEO, SelectMinds. “We are very excited to now launch their employee network, which will empower workers to build connections that cultivate engagement and meaningful lifelong relationships with each other and the firm.”
About SelectMinds
SelectMinds is the leading global provider of secure, corporate social networking solutions. Using the power of Web 2.0, SelectMinds helps organizations build connections among and between groups of employees, alumni, retirees, women, and other constituencies. These powerful connections drive increased knowledge sharing and collaboration, enable strategic talent sourcing, and foster employee development and retention. The result is a higher performing organization with the ability to innovate quickly, increase productivity, and hire and retain key talent. SelectMinds clients consist of leading organizations including J.P. Morgan, Dow Chemical, Lockheed Martin, Latham & Watkins, Schlumberger, and Deloitte. For more information, visit www.selectminds.com.
About Grant Thornton LLP
The people in the independent firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd provide personalized attention and the highest quality service to public and private clients in more than 100 countries. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Grant Thornton International Ltd and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership, as each member firm is a separate and distinct legal entity. In the U.S., visit Grant Thornton LLP at www.GrantThornton.com.
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