I’m currently taking Understanding and Leveraging Networks with Professor Noshir Contractor. I am thoroughly enjoying it and I am so glad I chose to take this class! Prior to this class, I knew networks were important, but this class has solidified why they are important and how best to leverage them. Professor Contractor also discusses the science behind networks and how they impact organizational structure and behavior.

For our midterm and final, we have been tasked with assessing our current Board of Directors. These are people that we go to for advice, both professionally and personally. The sheet we list our BOD on has 3 columns. One, for who introduced us to the connection; two, who the connection is and three, who we introduced the connection to. It is fascinating to see how all of the relationships evolved and how a connection with one person often leads to a connection with another to another….to another!

I have noticed that within my current network I have a balanced amount of energizers and brokers. Energizers are people that exude positivity. They breathe life into projects and inspire people to do their best work. Brokers are the people that connect people. They build networks by connecting individuals. It is important to have a balanced amount of brokers in your network. You don’t want to be the only one introducing yourself or other people and vice versa. Networking is a two-way street. There needs to be reciprocity for it to be valuable.

Another interesting tidbit that may make you reconsider how you approach job hunting is that in more cases than not, it is  weak ties that help connect you to a job opportunity. This seems counterintuitive, right? However, speaking from experience, I have been connected to job opportunities through more weak ties versus strong ties.

One last tool for you to try in your spare time is Linkedin Maps. Give this a try! You will be amazed at the interconnectedness of your networks. http://inmaps.linkedinlabs.com/

On the first day of class, Professor Contractor told us that we would get infected with the “networking virus”. Well, I think it is safe to say that I am and there is no cure for it. Corny, but true!

I really loved the infographic below, exploring the qualities that successful vs. unsuccessful people have:

Once again, so much of what we read in our classes rings true to what you see above. Everyone knows someone who exhibits the qualities that an unsuccessful person does. I’m glad I’m learning the tools to embody the successful person.

I’m also pretty psyched that I could create the above infographic because of what I learned in my Visual Communication class!

Now that I have that confidence, the next logical step is to own my own island, just like Richard Branson, am I right?

Much of what he spoke about rang familiar with topics we’ve covered in our MSC classes.

However, my favorite quality for success Bryant spoke about was a passionate curiosity. He spoke about how the most successful CEOs are not happy with the norm and that once they’ve achieved success, they are constantly asking “What can I do better?” This reminded me of many articles we read in our Strategy for the Global Economy class about a culture of disruption and questioning at places like Nike and Amazon. It was really cool to connect the dots between work and school and to think about what I can do better in both place.

One other point that he made that I really enjoyed was about the overuse of email and how headache and misunderstanding could be avoided if we simply picked up the phone or went to talk to one another in person. Email tends to beget more email- and honestly, isn’t it refreshing to actually see someone’s face sometimes?

Hearing Adam Bryant talk was great- and made me realize though I have a long way to go to the Corner Office, I’m thankful for the MSC program for helping me learn the skills I’ll need to get there.

Non-profit, corporate and entrepreneurial responsibility as it relates to social well being is often unclear and is becoming increasingly complex.  One of the case studies demonstrated how core economic principles can negatively impact one organization’s powerful social mission.  The other study highlighted the importance (and challenge) of establishing a consistent and valuable way to measure organizations’ social impact. 

Allan’s parting gift was a quote from Margaret Mead–

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

What will your obituary say about you?  What will be your lasting impression in your current role? At your current company?

An award-winning and highly regarded business leader and mentor, Chairman Ko provided his management philosophy in a special lunchtime lecture, highlighting lessons learned as he built Philos Technologies into a global enterprise. Chairman Ko portrayed the hardships he endured as an immigrant businessman relocating his family to the United States and then back to Korea. He credits a positive outlook, hard work and faith in God for sustaining his family through good times and bad as they strove to realize their dreams.

Chairman Ko challenged Northwestern students to abolish corruption and build collaborative marketplaces in which companies and consumers support each other’s success. He strongly believes that businesses realize their greatest potential when everyone has an equal opportunity for prosperity.

Chairman Ko also offered this advice:

• Give recognition when others succeed
• Be positive, proactive and determined to realizes your dreams
• Expand your horizons, moving out of your comfort zone
• Be generous, kind and humble
• Continually dream of changing (the world and yourself)

Executive Director Megan Ko is also an entrepreneur, developing a gourmet coffee business. MSC students were treated to her new “Red Megan” coffee drinks before and after the lecture.

Philos Technologies generously provided students with company souvenirs. However, the real treasure was the visit itself. Philos and Megan Ko are an inspiration for business leaders at all stages of their careers. Chairman Ko’s advice was invaluable.

Our thanks go out to fellow MSC international student Tony Lee Young who arranged this unique event through the Korean Student Association. Young embodies Chairman Ko’s philosophy of lending his talents and network connections to help create opportunities for all. In addition to the lecture, Young arranged for Northwestern student and YouTube sensation Jun Sung Ahn to perform “I dreamed a dream” and “Rolling in the Deep” on violin. He was wildly popular with the MSC group.

Samuel Ko, Chairman Ko’s son and President of Philos Technologies, was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as the 2009 Illinois State Business Person of the Year.  President Obama has also recognized the company as a growth leader. Philos Technologies is annually listed on the Fortune Global 500.

Lee captured the day’s special events in a YouTube photo album.

The special lecture was also covered by MC-TV.

You see, I’m a planner and someone who enjoys lists. In fact, I love lists. I get very excited when I can cross something off my list even if it as simple as “buy floss”. Yes, I’m that kind of person. I love feeling like I’m getting things done and I’m on top of my game. However, I’ve ruled much of my existence by this mindset. I started to wonder why I was always in such a hurry or constantly stressed about what I was going to do next.

This is why when I started this program, I put aside that notion of “hurry up” to the next big thing. Instead, I want to enjoy the moment–right here, right now. This MSC program is such a gift and it is going by way too fast. With just a couple months left, I’m relishing every second because on August 3rd I will walk across the stage and I don’t want to even remotely question if I did everything I hoped to do during the program.

My advice to future  MSC’ers is to soak up every possible opportunity and experience in the program. It is a time to be cherished. You’ll think that you have so much time when you first start, but then before you even realize it, you’ll have a couple months left and wonder how you can hit the pause button to slow it down.

We will have earned them.

Although the Program is relatively short, it is not easy. In fact, its speed is one of the most significant challenges as we strive to glean everything we can from our courses while juggling work and family commitments. The workload is intense. Professors’ expectations are high. The opportunities are endless, but our time here is not.

Come August 3^rd, we will not be walking away with an elite piece of paper to hang on our wall. We will have earned an unparalleled set of career and potentially life changing experiences and cherished friendships that we will carry with us forever.