Influencers are intermediaries (i.e., middlemen, to use an old-fashioned term) in the same way finance sector workers are intermediaries. Which function do influencers perform? You must select the function they are most effective at performing. Providing access across a barrier - Bridge Guaranteeing quality - Certifier Monitoring and enforcing contracts - Enforcer Bearing risk - Risk Bearer Providing information - Concierge Taking the heat - Insulator