Microsoft has enjoyed huge success under CEO Satya Nadella, but not by finding hits in current tech trends. In fact, Microsoft has never really been a company that appeals to kids. Enterprise focus and now cloud tech hardly speak to the smartphone and chat generation. However, with LinkedIn Stories Nadella believes Microsoft may be able to appeal to a younger audience.
During Microsoft's annual shareholders' meeting this week (via Business Insider), the CEO was asked directly how Microsoft can speak to young users through LinkedIn. Nadella said this is something that the LinkedIn team is focusing on.
“As population ages, we do need to make sure that both the younger population, as well as the older population, can both find the economic opportunity,” Nadella said.
“That's really the pressing need of our times, and we are very focused on that, specifically for some of the younger folks who are joining LinkedIn. We're making sure, for example, the engagement tools, like the News feed, have new modalities.”
Stories
LinkedIn Stories were first announced and tested earlier this year and launched in September. Like Stories on Snapchat and Instagram before, this could be a quick way to share key moments at conferences and work events, or quick tips relevant to the industry.
Of course, Stories on LinkedIn put a professional twist on the idea, so it remains interesting to see how users tap into the tool. While Nadella thinks it can drive usage amongst younger generations, it could be argued LinkedIn is not that kind of platform to start with.
LinkedIn sees Stories as a form of future-proofing. Many children have grown up with such features as one of their primary methods of communication and implementing Stories may help them to find a home there.
