Mark,

While I agree that all too many sites are slow to pick up on the business user. I suggest that the problems is that many of the people that started with the friend thing simply expanding the needs they need satisfied. Some firms that run these sites are stuck in the transformation of a bigger play rather than a different play. What I see is sort of funnel effect where kids (in college, fooling around, spending their allowance) progress to a point they need a job - enter the recruiting of firms into the college space. Just as 8th graders are being recruited for college basketball team - the same is true for corporations. The want the reputation of being hip so the want the social space to be just that - not a business serious site - at least at that point. Then after a while they want the site to become the socialization platform that use to take place at the water cooler. Now its the place where CEO and give messages that kids actually pay attention.

So you may be right about the sites being afraid to make the change - I think they should be afraid - the sorting out of what site is going to play which role in the socialization process is in its early formation - giving them a break.

As you might recognize that I am given this lots of thought - in fact - I am writing a multi part series on the relationship of reputation - the use of social media and corporate governance. I'd be interested in your thoughts - at http://buscreate.blogspot.com