The rapidly growing scene of social technology has made our life easier because almost everything comes with an app that is tailored to our needs, regardless of whether we are searching for a potential business partner, hire a new employee, build connections or meet like-minded people.
When it comes to social networking apps for business purposes, users usually prefer using apps that are similar to dating apps such as Tinder, compared to Facebook or even Linkedin. With the mushrooming number of business networking apps, I have sorted out five useful apps that are not common in Malaysia but perhaps you should consider using.
Caliber
Price: Free (iOS)
Caliber is a professional networking app created for working professionals to meet new people. This app is designed to introduce the users to professionals who share the same interests and are residing within the same area.
Caliber allows users to look for collaborators, learn something new, or meet new people. Using this app, you can select the people you find interesting and press “interested” to follow that person’s professional achievements. If the person sees your profile and is interested to connect with you, you are given the permission to start chatting with each other.
CityHour
Price: Free (iOS) (Android: Soon)
CityHour can be used to easily locate and connect to anyone within a 50 mile (80.46 km) radius who are interested in meeting in-person in the next two hours. Whether you are searching for a new co-founder for your startup or new career opportunities, this app is designed to help you to meet with people nearby from a particular profession with common networking goals and set up meetings.
Furthermore, if you are travelling to a new place, you can use this app to suggest local venues. Just a few taps, CityHour syncs with your Facebook or Linkedin account and opens you to a platform full of new people and opportunities.
Lunch Kaki
Price: Free (iOS, Android)
Founded this year, Lunch Kaki is a social networking app created for users to get to know like-minded people during lunch hours and boost their network circle of friends. As mentioned in an interview with Vulcan Post, the founder, Melvin said that the idea behind this app is to allow users to send out lunch requests to meet new people for different purposes such as finding someone to accompany you for lunch or meeting new friends.
Lunch hours are precious moments for working professionals. Imagine yourself sitting all day in the cubicle and your only free time is during your lunch time. This apps allows you to make use of this golden one or two hour to meet new people and widen your social circle.
MeetUp
Price: Free (iOS, Android)
Founded in 2012, MeetUp works as a tool for people to search for groups and meetings in their towns to participate in based on mutual interest.
This app gives you the chance to socialize with people with mutual interests so that you can make new friends and build connections. Currently the member profiles are linked to Facebook profiles so that you can add them as friends and keep in touch that way.
Reach
Price: Free (iOS, Android)
Reach is designed with location-based technology to search for professionals in the users’ fields of interest and are within their reach. Users can easily browse professionals at nearby locations and reach out to each other.
Users can either sign in with their Linkedin accounts and use their email address to register. If you see a person that you are interested to connect, you can “Reach Out” to each other by sending a request. The system works mimics real life where you exchange business card with people. You are able to find your connections in “contacts” where you can call or message each other.
These apps are a great social networking tool that can open a world of possibilities, if you allow them to. Unfortunately, perhaps it is not yet part of the Malaysian culture to use an app to randomly meet a stranger. Therefore, some of these apps do not have that many Malaysian users. However, we are able to change this perception and expand our social network by taking advantage of these apps. Fancy giving them a go?
