Intuit and LinkedIn Team Up to Help Small Businesses ‘Hire Smart’

Free Event Offers Guest Speakers, Expert Advisors and Product Giveaways to Make Hiring Fun and Easy

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For small businesses, hiring that first employee is like starting a job out of college or expecting a baby – a mix of anticipation and anxiety around the unknown.

“Finding, engaging and hiring the right talent is key to this growth. As the leading professional network on the Web, we’re excited to help small businesses successfully build their teams by connecting talented professionals with great opportunities.”

To celebrate and support small businesses achieving this milestone, Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) and LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) are hosting a new ‘Hire Smart Small Business Event’ to help small businesses make the right decisions when hiring workers.

Hire Smart is a free event being held at Intuit’s Mountain View, Calif. campus on Saturday, April 27, offering guest speakers, expert advisors and free resources to assist new and growing businesses. The day will feature talks by Intuit president and CEO Brad Smith as well as LinkedIn CEO and Intuit Board Member Jeff Weiner. It will also be packed with star power from author and “Apprentice” winner Bill Rancic as well as award-winning author of “Hire Your First Employee,” USA Today columnist and small business owner Rhonda Abrams.

In addition to the stellar lineup, Intuit and LinkedIn are making it easy for small businesses to get started hiring right away by offering the tools they need at a discounted price. Anyone that registers will receive three months of Intuit Online Payroll for free as well as a LinkedIn ‘First Hire’ package of premium Talent Finder sourcing access and discounted job listings, a total value of more than $400. Products that simplify the business of life and other giveaways will also be part of the celebration.

“Small businesses are integral to our economy, employing more than 19 million people across the country,” said Smith. “We know that hiring that first worker is a defining moment for a small business owner. By opening our doors and providing them with the right tools and know-how, we can help them grow their business and play a part in improving employment across America.”

“Growth in the small business sector creates immense value,” said Weiner. “Finding, engaging and hiring the right talent is key to this growth. As the leading professional network on the Web, we’re excited to help small businesses successfully build their teams by connecting talented professionals with great opportunities.”

Get Ready to Hire Smart

Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to register now at the Hire Smart website. The event will also be streamed live on the Internet for those unable to attend in person. Space is limited, so it is important to sign-up to guarantee a spot.

For local businesses, doors open at 9:00 a.m. and they can come at any time to hear from guest speakers, network with fellow small businesses and learn from a variety of experts. In addition, the event will feature hands-on workshops to help attendees get up and running on their discounted Intuit Online Payroll and LinkedIn Premium. Participants can also receive personal consulting from experts including lawyers, accountants and HR specialists as well experienced small businesses that have successfully hired in the past.

To see the full list of activities available or to register visit: www.HireSmartNow.com. To start learning more about hiring, join the conversation in the Intuit Small Business Group, which can be found at: http://lnkd.in/Intuit-Small-Business

About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks®, Quicken® and TurboTax®, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries® and Lacerte® are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Intuit Financial Services helps banks and credit unions grow by providing on-demand solutions and services that make it easier for consumers and businesses to manage their money.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of $4.15 billion in its fiscal year 2012. The company has approximately 8,500 employees with major offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other locations. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.

About LinkedIn

Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful. With more than 200 million members worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network on the Internet. The company has a diversified business model with revenue coming from Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions and Premium Subscriptions. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, LinkedIn also has offices across the globe.