Spring is in the air, the weather is improving and thoughts are turning toward outside recreation and enjoyment. However, rest assured that we've got you covered inside the confines of the state capital in Trenton.

Turning to the CPA newsletter, in this edition you'll be introduced to Cherie Gillen, CPA's Vice President of Government Relations, learn how to use LinkedIn to improve your marketing and bottom-line and find out exciting news about the campaign for legislative seats this year in New Jersey. -Steven E. Some, President - Capital Public Affairs

Following on the heels of last month's well-received column detailing how Facebook and Twitter work, we decided to establish a monthly "What Is?" column in the newsletter. This month, we answer the question, What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the premier Web-based, social network for professionals. Some have suggested it's like Facebook for business. That's a fair comparison but one that falls short of explaining the power and value of LinkedIn to your career, business or organization.

LinkedIn provides an easy, accepted way to connect to colleagues, clients and prospects. Once you're registered with the site, you can search for people or companies, interact with them and see how they're connected to you via your LinkedIn network. Because LinkedIn was built for business, there's less time-wasting and navel-gazing on LinkedIn than other social networking Web sites. LinkedIn also allows businesses to demonstrate their expertise via services such as LinkedIn Apps and LinkedIn Answers.

LinkedIn Apps is a suite of Web-based, software applications that enable you to collaborate on projects, get key insights and present your work to your professional network, prospects and others on LinkedIn. Application installation takes only a few seconds and since these are Web-based applications, there's nothing to install and no space is taken up on your computer. Applications such as BlogLink automatically update your LinkedIn profile with your or your company's blog posts. An application known as Slideshare allows you to quickly and easily share a PowerPoint presentation to a large audience on LinkedIn. There is huge potential for marketing and promoting your business utilizing LinkedIn Apps.

LinkedIn Answers is a service that allows users to post questions and respond to questions posted by other users. Pose a question and watch others respond - such a feature can be very helpful when facing a new business challenge or opportunity. Answers also allows you to search for questions within your industry or niche and respond with answers that will be seen across the LinkedIn network. This is a great way to demonstrate expertise and thought leadership. Plus, members who like your answer can easily view your profile, include you in their LinkedIn network and approach you about potential business opportunities.

Any business or organization facing challenges sales, prostpecting, human resources, marketing or public relations can benefit by utilizing LinkedIn today. Call CPA at 609-514-2600 for more information on how to get started. 

In this edition of the CPA Team Spotlight, we sit down with Cherie Gillen, CPA's Vice President of Government Relations. Cherie has been with CPA since 2005 and oversees the government relations department, ensuring that the firm and its clients are aware of and up-to-speed with legislative activity in Trenton that affects their bottom line.

Cherie is responsible for analyzing legislation, advocating on various positions that are important to clients and corresponding with legislators and officials in state agencies and the Governor's office. With nearly a decade of experience in the public affairs arena, Ms. Gillen has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of a variety of grassroots advocacy campaigns and community outreach programs for CPA's clients on issues ranging from energy and taxation to education.

Prior to joining Capital Public Affairs, Ms. Gillen served as Manager of Government Relations for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. At the State Chamber she advocated for issues involving taxes, economic development and international trade for the business community. She also assisted in the coordination of association events such as the State Chamber's Legislative Awards Dinner and it's annual Congressional Train Trip.

Before her tenure with the State Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Gillen was a Legislative Research Associate for the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. In addition, Ms. Gillen has been politically active in local campaigns and has served as a Democratic Committeewoman for the Borough of Raritan.

Ms. Gillen is a graduate of Rutgers University and resides in Montgomery Township with her husband, Dan, and son, Luke.