My First Post

THE BEGINNING:
This being my first blog, I figure it will be best to supply a reason for my creation and to set some goals in moving forward. I've been told that writing my ideas will help me to better organize thoughts and display them in a fashion that is useful for others. That being said, I would like to focus on business analysis and the learning process involved in working through my new job and the added responsibilities that it entails.

I began my quest to learn everything there is to know about Business Analysis. Granted, I will never know everything, but with a lofty goal, I will never cease to learn and grow along the way. It's been 3 months thus far so I might be compared to an infant in my learning experience.

Before beginning my job, I read that you should allow 3 months time for learning, meeting new people, and getting integrated into the role and your key responsibilities. Taking a step back to breathe in all of the concepts has been more than challenging to say the least. I say this because my engineering background has taught me to step in and redesign or change a function if it needs updating.  For the moment though, I am soaking in the new role and waiting for my chance to make a difference.

BECOMING A LEADER:
From my perspective, my next role is to really step in and lead within the projects that I have been given. But what exactly does this mean? Am I to step on others toes to reach the top?  Perhaps I need to make my presence known in meetings and presentations.  Maybe I find new and bigger projects that need my assistance...

All of the above questions really get ahead of a well maintained learning process, so how do I find step one?  This is a big challenge and making my priorities is going to be key.  So what comes first?  For me, I have really decided to focus on communication.  Forming 1-on-1 meetings with team members to get to know what's working well, what's missing, and what needs to be changed immediately.  This allows me to meet all working team members from the IT teams, to the marketing analysis groups, and even financing.  What a great opportunity to really expand my communication skills and begin to build relationships that will be essential for future tasks.

GROWTH:
I am still excited to learn every nook and cranny of the new work environment and I am drinking from the never ending fire hose.  My goal is to become a knowledgeable employee who is incredibly valued and useful within the company.  I can only do this through hard work.  Work here is not defined by hours and time that are put into the job, but instead by the intellect that produces useful analysis for those that need it.  It's not the end goal that is important, but more the process involved in getting there.

THE END:
This is not the really the end, but merely the start of a long quest to move upward and onward.  Hopefully I learn something along the way, and maybe, just maybe, my insight will stir you do the same...