The Society for Human Resource Management is launching a new social networking platform—as if LinkedIn weren't enough for you guys—and Laurie Ruettimann over at Punk Rock HR spoke with SHRM's Chief E-Media and Publishing Officer Gary Rubin. These were some of her suggestions about the soon to be launched site:

You need to give people a reason to visit SHRM on a daily basis. Migrating content and ongoing conversations from the existing website into a new, fancy user interface isn't going to help create a destination.

SHRM's social network needs a face, and Lon O'Neil isn't it. You can't even get to his biography unless you are a member, which is problem #1. So much of the site is locked behind a wall, and SHRM would benefit from creating a community manager position that operates like a true community manager — someone who is big enough to have a personality that drives traffic to the site but small enough to be a guide. I cited Jason Davis as a good example of a leader, a moderator, and a mediator when his community needs it.

I think the most important part of building a community is creating a space for important conversation and interactions that you can't get anywhere else. Don't try to be Facebook because even Facebook sucks at being Facebook. Focus on the purpose of the community — and create a user interface that is flexible enough to adapt and grow as the community matures.

So is she right? Tell us what you think SHRM's new network should have and we'll try to get a sit down with Gary Rubin ourselves to get your voices heard!