‘You are what you share’

Last month, I attended a British Institute of Learning & Development (BILD) event on ‘The Future of L&D’ in London. It promised to be an enjoyable morning with plenty of networking opportunities, insightful L&D chat and free coffee. It was particularly interesting to see Mike Collins from DPG plc on the line-up of speakers., As someone who had completed the CIPD Certificate in L&D Practice with DPG back in May, I was keen to find out how things had been going and what they’d been up to since I became qualified.

Before Mike's presentation, we both got chatting about my experience and I was keen to tell him how great DPG had been from start to finish. Looking back I got loads out of the programme but for me it was the support network of my facilitator(Howard Rose) and fellow group members that really made all the difference. During Mike’s presentation he introduced the DPG Community as a place where all participants and facilitators, could interact online to support each other and share knowledge - what a fantastic idea! I described it at the time as a ‘lightbulb’ moment and as a participant who didn't have the DPG Community, I could instantly see the value it would have added for my group.

Keeping in touch with the group during my nine month study stint by email or over the phone came with certain challenges:

  • What time is best to call?
  • Will they pick up the email at work?
  • What if they think it’s a stupid question?
  • Am I bothering them?

Were the types of questions I found myself asking. The DPG Community seems to solve these issues as a perfect platform where we would have been in one place together, making contact much easier. I also believe that it would of brought us closer as a group and given us a unique opportunity to speak with other like-minded delegates from other study groups that were on the same journey. The fact it’s got instant chat so you can chat online with your group or during an organised online chat is another bonus.

Fast forward a month and I'm now officially part of the DPG community and loving it! You will mostly find me posting on the forum or hanging out at the Alumni Group, which is exclusive for qualified DPG participants. If you are reading this and currently still studying then I’m hugely envious that you have use of the Community platform on your professional learning journey. It really is a great way for you to get support on your studies, access cutting edge content, ask questions to other professionals and build up a strong network of HR/L&D professionals for the future.

During Mikes presentation there was one inspirational line that has stuck with me that says everything about the Community "it’s not about what you know but it’s about what you share". If we as participants and facilitators can continue sharing amongst each other, then we can harness the power of Community and make it the best place to be for continuous professional development.

I’d be interested in hearing your experiences of being a member of the DPG Community?

How are you moving to a position of ‘You are what you share’?

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Comments

  • Love this Adam, thanks for sharing and it's amazing just how a chance meeting at an event can lead to other (exciting) things. It's great to see you living the 'you are what you share' value through this community, your blogs/discussions and through Twitter. I think the way in which connections can be created then blossom in to deeper more meaningful relationships and friendships is what the internet was made for. We're making it work for us. We met face to face but since then have been able to keep in touch, swap ideas, help each other and continue to build our knowledge of what we're up to - all online.

    Exactly what this community is here to do....support face to face workshops but make them more valuable and worthwhile by allowing conversations and ideas to flourish in between them and stronger relationships and trust to build before, during and after.

    Keep it up!

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