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There has been one distinct theme for mine - networking. Now, this is something I do pretty regularly anyway - but January 2014 has been altogether different. Firstly, I took up two new roles: one in my capacity serving on the National Executive of Network Ireland, and the other as Co-Facilitator of SWIBN.
Secondly, I was asked to join the panel of speakers for January's #DubNet - a really dynamic group - which like Network, operates on a voluntary basis. The event was over-subscribed [no pressure] and proved to be a really fantastic experience.
On my way to Dublin for the event, I was asked to pen a piece for Irish Tatler... on the influential powers of social media and, yes, you guessed it... networking.
Hmmm.
What's so important about any of these facts, I hear you ask? Simply, that the common denominator connecting them, is also networking.
When I was asked to speak at #DubNet, I wondered what I'd talk about - I'm usually invited to contribute to panels on the basis of work-related themes or views, and this was completely different. I gathered that the best thing I could offer, was my own personal experience of being in business, running a business and working for other businesses.
What could I say were the most important lessons I'd learned? To do something you love, and play to your strengths; to stretch yourself and inhabit a place of personal growth [yes, you've guessed it, the comfort zone doesn't apply]; and most importantly, to remember that you are the sum of those you surround yourself with. So choose wisely, and create a network which supports, develops and galvanises you.
Right, back to networking. My invitation to speak at #DubNet happened because I am an avid fan of Twitter, a social network; working with SWIBN came about through a valued colleague, Oonagh Monahan, whom I met through networking; and I joined Network to build a network. Tatler? Also networking.
Oh, and SWIBN's first speaker for 2014 was another valued colleague, Sandra Hart of BNI, an expert on networking.
If you have become bamboozled by the over-appearance of the words 'network' and 'networking' in this post, you've missed the point.
What, in fact, you should be considering right now - is the power of YOUR network.
Secondly, I was asked to join the panel of speakers for January's #DubNet - a really dynamic group - which like Network, operates on a voluntary basis. The event was over-subscribed [no pressure] and proved to be a really fantastic experience.
On my way to Dublin for the event, I was asked to pen a piece for Irish Tatler... on the influential powers of social media and, yes, you guessed it... networking.
Hmmm.
What's so important about any of these facts, I hear you ask? Simply, that the common denominator connecting them, is also networking.
When I was asked to speak at #DubNet, I wondered what I'd talk about - I'm usually invited to contribute to panels on the basis of work-related themes or views, and this was completely different. I gathered that the best thing I could offer, was my own personal experience of being in business, running a business and working for other businesses.
What could I say were the most important lessons I'd learned? To do something you love, and play to your strengths; to stretch yourself and inhabit a place of personal growth [yes, you've guessed it, the comfort zone doesn't apply]; and most importantly, to remember that you are the sum of those you surround yourself with. So choose wisely, and create a network which supports, develops and galvanises you.
Right, back to networking. My invitation to speak at #DubNet happened because I am an avid fan of Twitter, a social network; working with SWIBN came about through a valued colleague, Oonagh Monahan, whom I met through networking; and I joined Network to build a network. Tatler? Also networking.
Oh, and SWIBN's first speaker for 2014 was another valued colleague, Sandra Hart of BNI, an expert on networking.
If you have become bamboozled by the over-appearance of the words 'network' and 'networking' in this post, you've missed the point.
What, in fact, you should be considering right now - is the power of YOUR network.
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