Networking Plan Analysis - Assignment Example

Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Part1: Organising and Diagnosing Your Network Networking is important aspect in ensuring one gets and disseminate information effectively. Organising network entails determining and grouping important networks that one relies mostly in exchange of information. The table below shows my network map; My Network Map Name of Contact Person who introduced me Person I introduced to Allan Greg Billy Johns Adrian Walker Caden Cadmeal Me Hillary Jones Adrian Walker Me Amina Hamed Duncan Gomez Caden Cadmeal Amina Hamed Caden Cadmeal Allan Greg Allan Greg is IBM marketing consultant based in Australia. Billy Johns works closely with Allan since Billy sales business related software as a retailer. Billy Johns is my cousin and he introduced me to Allan when I showed interest in working in a software company. Adrian Walker is my course mate and wants to be IT consultant. Therefore, I introduced Adrian to Allan since I felt he will have a lot to learn since Allan works in IT field. The connection is important since Allan can share work opportunities and I get accessed to new information in the IT field. Caden Cadmeal Caden Cadmeal is my older brother and he works in KPMG as a tax consultant. He always advice me on emerging issues in the Job market and field that I need to major. I always share with him any career step that I want to take before resorting to it. Hillary Jones is my high school friend who is interested in specializing on issues related to auditing. I introduced Cadmeal to her during dinner at our place. Adrian Walker Adrian Walker is my course mate. We met in university and we have similar interest since we want to venture into IT field. For instance, I want to work in IT Company while Adrian wants to form a company dealing with IT consultancy. Connecting with Adrian enables me to get access to people he connects with, events that he wants to attend and articles he shares on his page. The connection is therefore important because it keeps me updated on the events that are taking place in IT field. Amina is my friend and she works with IT Company where I work during holidays. I introduced her to Adrian during a conference organized by the company. Duncan Gomez Duncan Gomez works with KPMG as an IT specialist. Cadmeal introduced me to Duncan during a golf game on weekend. I have shared a lot with Duncan on issues of IT integration in business operations and important career path to take in order to have enough skills in IT field. Amina Hamed Amina is my neighbour we connected with her one year ago when she was still in university. She specialized in business management. She works with IT Company has an IT consultant. She always post articles on IT and invite me to some of the IT conference which has played great role in fostering my understanding and skills. Superconnector My brother Caden Cadmeal is my superconnector since he connected me with two people, Duncan and Amina. Cadmeal is my closest friend and I can share many things with him. Also, he hopes for the best to me thus letting me know on any opportunity that arises. In conclusion, it is evident that the connection revolves within a common circle with regard to professionalism and nature of relationship. For example, the network above shows self-similarity principle since the network comprises of individuals in IT field (Uzzi and Dunlap, 2005). Also, majority of the connection are course mate, brother and neighbour thus close to individuals proofing proximity principle as stated by Uzzi and Dunlap (2005). Therefore, it is important to note that individuals form a connection or connect with specific interest and closeness. Part 2: Expanding My Network I am interested in working in IT field that incorporate business in its operations. Working in IBM has been my dream since I was in second year in campus. My current connection has played major role in increasing my enthusiasm towards IT. Therefore, I have resorted to attend as many conferences as possible on information technology to expand my network. The following shows network of one of the events I attended. IBM Conference The event was titled incorporating Information Technology in Improving Business Operation. It was organised by IBM targeting small and medium enterprises. Self-Directed Activities Before During After -Identifying firms participating in the event -identifying individual attending the meeting e.g. IBM officials and other IT firms - Meeting with IBM director of software development based in Australia (Andrew Gomez), Lynn Liam-software developer and Rose Blaire-business consultant respectively. -Write important point or questions that need further discussion behind business card of my connection. -Ensuring I know the exact location, time and entry requirements for the meeting -Stay in first row in the meeting with intention to be visible and contribute in the meeting. Also, to get first chance in meeting with my targeted network -Ask for clarification on parts that I didn’t understand during discussion -Ensuring that I have official clothes, grooming my hair and nails well -Ensuring that I am confident and comfortable with my dressing i.e. avoiding adjusting tie or coat or touching my hair. -Communicate with the new contact within two days and appreciate for helping me ou -Practicing some of important interpersonal skills. -Writing important questions for my target individuals -Approach my target networks properly to get their attention i.e. using polite words. -Ensure that I ask relevant questions and note down important points -Request business card from my targeted network -Send thank you note to the new connection to gain trust and maintain professional relationship The event was successful but I experienced various difficulties which include lack of confidence to interact with IBM director. The seniority of the individual made it difficult for me to ask some of the questions. Also, I avoided asking some question which I felt was personal and sensitive for example, asking for employment opportunity in their companies. It is therefore clear that I need to work on my interpersonal skills, prepare question well to avoid asking irrelevant and personal questions (Janasz, Dowd and Schneider, 2014). Proper preparation and understanding the targeted connection during formulation of questions is important. Part 3: Nurturing the Relationship through Linkedin Introduction Linkedin is important professional platform where individuals from different fields can meet and interact. It was essential to connect with my new connections and meet other close individuals via linkedin to foster the existing relationship. The created include senior IBM director of software development department based in Australia, Lynn Liam owner of software Development Company called BIT Ltd, Rose Blaire is a private business consultant, Justine Miller is IT specialist at Deloite and Paul Hayman IBM regional director. The following individuals play an important role in IT and Business world. This includes development of accounting computer packages, human resource packages and other software that ease business operation. The interaction with my connections will assist me in integrating accounting and IT that forms part of my future career path. The connection is governed by close proximity principle which state that individual tend to associate with those whom they share a common characteristic for example profession. This will bring me close to my mentors who will be of great help in case of any issue (Janasz, Dowd and Schneider, 2014). Reflection The most difficult part in setting my profile was adding summary of my interest and experience. The complexity arises from the fact that it should be short and comprehensive. Also, it needs to be coherent since it highlights or give another person glimpse of me. The most effective strategy to connect with people is either choosing nature of relationship as friends, colleagues, classmate or we’ve done business together. The effective way of approaching new contacts is creating outstanding profile which will be attractive and shows professionalism. Communicating with connection with proper profile wins their perception thus easing interaction. The connections need to be within the same professionalism which ensures that interest the same thus sharing the same experience and information. I joined Global Jobs Portal group, I joined the group to keep checking on job opening in IT and accounting field. The group enables members to share experience to ensure that I get satisfy job. Networks are very important in ensuring a proper career path since one is able to share and seek professional advice. This enables me to apply academic theory and real life practice thus ensuring the studies becomes interesting. Maintenance of close proximity with the professionals acts as motivation since one become close to the mentor. The mentor shapes you by ensuring that you don’t repeat the mistakes that she did in her career. In my family we don’t have older brothers or sisters have interest in Accounting and IT therefore, interaction with my connection plays role of elder brother or sister. Professional networking sites are very important in development and expanding knowledge in a given career path. Also, it enables one to improve interpersonal skills such as use of language which is important in enhancing productivity in work place. Reference: Barton, K. (2001). Connecting with success. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Pub. Clifton, D. (2006). Network with confidence. London: A. & C. Black. De Janasz, S., Dowd, K. and Schneider, B. (2014). Interpersonal skills in organizations. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill. Ferri, F., Grifoni, P. and Guzzo, T. (2011). New forms of social and professional digital relationships: the case of Facebook. Soc. Netw. Anal. Min., 2(2), pp.121-137. Hardina, D. (n.d.). Interpersonal social work skills for community practice. Janasz, D., Beth, Z., Schneider, Karen, O., Dowd, and Suzanne, C. (2014). Interpersonal skills in organizations. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp.387-410. Kay, F. (2009). How to build successful business relationships. Stevenage: Institution of Engineering and Technology. Schepp, B. and Schepp, D. (2010). How to find a job on LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social networks. New York: McGraw-Hill. Uzzi, B. and Dunlap, S. (2005). Harvard business review. How to build your network, 83(12), pp.53-60. Appendix: Linkedin Screenshot Read More