The Network Professional

Wednesday 9 November 2011 campus session (3) with Alan was very interesting because it allows us to start thinking about ways we already use or can use to expand our business or future business; methods we can use to improve our careers.

I found this session very interesting and it got me thinking about both my professions (Actress and Drama/Dance Instructor) and other career paths I could take once I complete this course and reach the age limit of performing. I took all three groups ideas of networking and tried to relate it back to me and my professions.

I drew a diagram that was inspired both by the symbols of Transport for London and the London A-Z because I am always on the underground or on the road (mainly in London) going to auditions, rehearsals, performance, shows, teaching jobs, etc. I started to draw and write down all the different ways I network to help my businesses grow and I realised that a lot of my network has the skills and techniques that both group 2/3 (by their show case on the day of the session) were talking about. Group two were dealing with the importance of weighing each relationship in your life and how to time manage each relationship to help with your network/career. Group 3 talked about the paths we take and the lengths of each path to enable us to achieve what you need to achieve. Our group dealt with the different types of network we use. I tend not to use the new social network but I use the old social network. I am hardly on sites such as Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, etc but, I do use the telephone, emails, and go to shows to keep in touch with people. I prefer the face to face business dealings. I do know how important the new social networking is and this course is helping me improve on this area so that I can be able to develop and grow new business ventures I would like to pursue in the future.  I linked all three groups’ ideas into the way I network to try and gain more business dealings.

This session more than any other session in my humble opinion, allows you to analyze yourself and the situation you are in; the cards life has dealt you with and how to make the best of your situation. Group 3 dealt with this in their presentation. I also think that this session links heavily with session 2 about reflecting and experiencing. We are always reflecting about our work and experience and how we should improve on them, learn from them. When we do this, we make our work and life better and with better work and life, the opportunity will arise to increase our business.