IGD’s Leading Edge careers convention aims to give you the impetus to go the extra mile. Tamra Detheridge reports
It’s your career, and if you want it to go somewhere, it’s up to you to make it happen. That’s the uncompromising message from McVitie’s business account manager Abi Gray - a key speaker at this year’s IGD Leading Edge Convention.
“My message to delegates is that to get where you want to be, you have to understand exactly what it is that you want, drive your own agenda and take responsibility for your own career,” says Abi, who joins speakers from Procter & Gamble, Sainsbury, and IGD on stage on September 23.
“Your career is yours and ultimately can only be managed by you - even if your peers, managers, or organisation influences you,” says Gray.
Your career can be looked at in two ways. The external career is the career that is defined by the organisation in which you work, for example your job title.
The internal career is more about what you want rather than what the organisation decides you want. To get what you want
you have to take responsibility for managing your career.
The first step is developing personal self-awareness through identifying your talents, motives, and values. This will be related back to the concept of ‘career anchors’ identified by business professor Edgar Schein.
Out of the eight anchors identified, Schein believes that
there will be one that is overriding, that matters most to you about your career.
By identifying your own personal anchor you become more self-aware and direct your career the way that you want it to go.
The next step is to align your personal goals with those of your organisation. People will only perform at their best when their personal motivations, desires, and goals are aligned with the company’s vision, strategies, and goals. According to Kathy Buckner, who produced a study entitled Developing and Maintaining a Competitive Career, this is when individuals will deliver their ‘career bests’, i.e. when they will excel.
There are five main areas to look at when aligning yourself with your organisation, says Gray. Understanding the company’s strategy, communicating your needs, embracing organisational change, being prepared to change with the company and having the courage to take calculated risks.
Through understanding your company and harmonising the objectives it holds for you with your own goals, you can move forward onto your chosen career path.
Other topics up for discussion at the Leading Edge convention include pressure management, networking, building a strong personal brand, managing your manager and developing your emotional intelligence.
The convention’s keynote speaker will be former 400 metres sprinter Roger Black who will focus on the themes of motivation and self-development.
The event, held at Imperial College London on September 23, is free to members thanks to sponsorship from McVitie’s and Procter & Gamble.
For further details about the event call Tamra Detheridge on 01923 851915, or log on to www.igd.com/leconvention2003
It’s your career, and if you want it to go somewhere, it’s up to you to make it happen. That’s the uncompromising message from McVitie’s business account manager Abi Gray - a key speaker at this year’s IGD Leading Edge Convention.
“My message to delegates is that to get where you want to be, you have to understand exactly what it is that you want, drive your own agenda and take responsibility for your own career,” says Abi, who joins speakers from Procter & Gamble, Sainsbury, and IGD on stage on September 23.
“Your career is yours and ultimately can only be managed by you - even if your peers, managers, or organisation influences you,” says Gray.
Your career can be looked at in two ways. The external career is the career that is defined by the organisation in which you work, for example your job title.
The internal career is more about what you want rather than what the organisation decides you want. To get what you want
you have to take responsibility for managing your career.
The first step is developing personal self-awareness through identifying your talents, motives, and values. This will be related back to the concept of ‘career anchors’ identified by business professor Edgar Schein.
Out of the eight anchors identified, Schein believes that
there will be one that is overriding, that matters most to you about your career.
By identifying your own personal anchor you become more self-aware and direct your career the way that you want it to go.
The next step is to align your personal goals with those of your organisation. People will only perform at their best when their personal motivations, desires, and goals are aligned with the company’s vision, strategies, and goals. According to Kathy Buckner, who produced a study entitled Developing and Maintaining a Competitive Career, this is when individuals will deliver their ‘career bests’, i.e. when they will excel.
There are five main areas to look at when aligning yourself with your organisation, says Gray. Understanding the company’s strategy, communicating your needs, embracing organisational change, being prepared to change with the company and having the courage to take calculated risks.
Through understanding your company and harmonising the objectives it holds for you with your own goals, you can move forward onto your chosen career path.
Other topics up for discussion at the Leading Edge convention include pressure management, networking, building a strong personal brand, managing your manager and developing your emotional intelligence.
The convention’s keynote speaker will be former 400 metres sprinter Roger Black who will focus on the themes of motivation and self-development.
The event, held at Imperial College London on September 23, is free to members thanks to sponsorship from McVitie’s and Procter & Gamble.
For further details about the event call Tamra Detheridge on 01923 851915, or log on to www.igd.com/leconvention2003
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