FC Experts Blogs
December 17, 2007
Designing a Network
Being a designer for over 11 years, I have been put to the challenge for many different products from clothing to toys. All in all, just like everything else, when you strip it down to it's bare minimum, the process is all the same.
Do not get me wrong, coming up with a new idea that will spark the interest of others has never been easy, but getting there, the formula is the same.
First, something sparks your curiosity, then your head starts to spin with crazy ideas. Your juices start to flow and you meet with those that will listen and provide you with direction.
Once you have a clear direction, you narrow your ideas down to about three good ones and you start to make your dreams tangible, understandable, and if you are good -- reality!
Now, if you are with a structured company, this is a true process with real deadlines and several layers of individuals to comb through. Many times you are lucky just to get past the first phase before you are sent back to start all over again!
Yet, if you are on your own . . . oh my goodness . . . ON YOUR OWN . . . you have the world at your feet! You may not have all the necessary resources that a structured company may have but you have a spring board that can take you anywhere!
The beauty of designing on your own. . . is that it is yours and you own it! You put together your ideas in the most crazy and unorthodox way and there is NO ONE to tell you that you can not do that!
Now, some of us get caught up in what others will think about us or our ideas but there are those that just simply put it out in the universe and find out that there are followers! Those people designing their future!
Sometimes followers are hard to find. That is when your "designing" takes on a whole new meaning! "Designing a Network" suddenly should become your number one priority after you have laid down the foundation.
The one thing that I have learned in 2007, you can not expect your customers, followers and what I call a "fan base" fall to your feet once you have an idea. You HAVE to put yourself out there. Take your ideas and promote your passion!
One way is to network. Networking has been the best thing for me and my business. Once you find a networking group that you can learn from and start with, you can expand your networking capabilities and "design a network" of your own!
Many times, you join a networking group and each person has their own agenda as to why they are there. But, have you ever thought about WHAT ELSE they can do? Usually entreprenuers are talented in so many other ways and they may know other networking people that can help you "design" your future!
Designing is a thought process that goes beyond what is in front of you. No matter who you talk to and network with, get to know more about who you are surrounding yourself with and learn more about yourself, your company and your ideas in the process. Design a Network and you can design your future!
Posted by Nicol Akins at December 17, 2007 12:54 AM | Topic: design |
2 Comments
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I got about two thirds through this article before I realized that you were talking about designing a *biz/social* network. I would have laughed if it weren't for the network that we have to design. A real network with cables and junk, and packets of data flitting to and fro. okay, LOL.
Where's the article? It starts with a play on the use of Network Design and then all of a sudden it finishes without really saying anything... good way to fill a page though! :P