Erika Flora's Blog

White Paper: Leveraging the Power of PRINCE2 and PMI's PMBOK Guide

2012-03-14T20:02:46Z

More than 20,000 organizations worldwide have adopted the PRINCE2 methodology to manage their projects. The reason? PRINCE2 zeros in on the essentials for successfully managing projects. PRINCE2 defines a streamlined approach to effective Project Management and provides a set of basic rules to live by. It provides clear, focused guidance and equips Project Managers with essential tools throughout a project to drive successful results

While The PMBOK Guide’s 42 processes and more than 500 inputs, outputs, tools and techniques can be overwhelming and cause one to lose sight of what is really important on a project. PRINCE2 identifies 7 core principles, 7 themes, and 7 key processes to manage throughout the life of a project. If things start to go wrong on a project, a Project Manager can very easily go back to the basics and directly identify the root cause of the problem.

New Project Managers will find PRINCE2 to be a highly approachable framework for managing effective projects, and can obtain the certification with no prerequisites. Seasoned Project Managers (and existing PMPs seeking PDUs) will see value in its practical advice and strategic business focus. Organizations find PRINCE2 valuable as it gives them a consistent way to govern and manage projects.

This paper will illustrate three key concepts within the PRINCE2 methodology that nicely compliment and leverage the information contained in PMI’s PMBOK Guide.

View the entire white paper here

4 Ways to Seriously Kick Butt on Linkedin

2012-01-05T02:32:32Z

You may have a profile on LinkedIn, but are you using it effectively? Most people aren’t. Here are four ways I have found to make using LinkedIn more fun and WAY more effective, whether you are trying to set yourself apart as an expert, find work, or just expand your network. If you start doing these four killer habits, you will very quickly become a LinkedIn expert and the envy of your LinkedIn connections. Here they are:

Regularly update your profile - This is absolutely key. Why? Well, for one thing, employers and recruiters regularly use LinkedIn. I have heard recruiters say that they actually prefer looking at people’s bios on LinkedIn (rather than their resumes) as it gives a nice summary of their skills. Also, you make it easier for people to find you (and your fabulous skills / expertise) on LinkedIn when your profile is up-to-date. Make sure your profile summary and the details under each of your positions are clear and accurate. Include any and all keywords that pertain to what you do. I personally like to review and update my profile on a quarterly basis – for example, each time I take on a new role, get a new certification, etc.
Add cool stuff to your status – Most people forget what a great tool the “status” line is on your LinkedIn profile. You don’t even have to be doing anything terribly interesting to be able to include something great on your status. Post an inspiring quote you like. Share helpful information. Include your favorite website. Write a few lines about a fun event that you are looking forward to. Spread the word on a great organization in your area. There’s lots and lots of great stuff you can put in your status line. Just make sure you don’t spam your contacts more than about once a week. Also, don’t be someone who is constantly selling products. People see through this very quickly and don’t like it.
Answer and ask questions – The “Answers” section on LinkedIn is a fantastic resource for a number of reasons. First, by answering questions and sharing your knowledge, you set yourself up as an expert in your field. You don’t have to do this more than once a week, but try searching for open questions that deal with something you know about. For example, I know a lot about project management, so I search a few keywords related to this profession. See if there are any questions you are knowledgeable about and can add to the conversation. If you get selected as the “best answer”, you get an expert point in LinkedIn. These are great if for no other reason than to show others you are pretty cool and kind of smart. Also, try asking a question about something you would like to know more about. I have always been surprised by the wealth of information that I receive when asking a question in LinkedIn.
Write unsolicited recommendations – This is my favorite feature that most people don’t either use or use incorrectly. The best way to use the “recommendation” feature on LinkedIn is to, every once in awhile, go through a few of your contacts and find a couple of people that you think highly of, and then just write a recommendation for them. Don’t wait until someone asks you. Give it as an unexpected gift. Most people will be so surprised and grateful they may write you one in return (and genuine recommendations make the best recommendations). However, the absolute best reason to write an unsolicited recommendation is that it strengthens the friendship you have with someone else. It’s a good, unselfish thing to do; and it’s a nice way to spread some love to your network. Try it. You will be hooked!

CAPM or PMP – Which One is Right for Me?

2011-12-01T20:11:04Z

I get a lot of questions from project managers regarding the PMP and CAPM certifications. It seems there is a bit of confusion around the two, and that a lot of people are wondering if they should look at one or the other (or both). In reality, it all depends on how you answer the two following questions.

Where are you now?
What is your long-term goal?

If you are brand new to project management and your long-term goal is to work as a Project Manager, my recommendation is to get your CAPM now and take the PMP when you have a few years of project management experience under your belt. The CAPM is a well-respected certification, and it is designed precisely for those individuals who want to demonstrate a level of knowledge, competence, and understanding of project management principles, but who may not yet have the required years of project management work experience required to sit for the PMP.

If, however, you have been working in a project management capacity (even though you may not have held the title of project manager), you may find that you have enough experience for the PMP. My recommendation is to talk with someone who is already a PMP and ask him or her to look at your resume. Discuss the kinds of roles you have had and see if they think your experience would qualify you to apply for the PMP. Our company offers this as a free service to students in our CAPM/PMP classes, as well as help with the PMI application process. Many times, when I talk with students about their experience, they realize that they have actually been working in the role of a Project Manager (and using many of PMI’s concepts from the PMBOK) without actually carrying “Project Manager” as a job title. Don’t let the lack of the PM title keep you from going after the PMP certification.

If you find that you are not yet ready for the PMP, there is still a lot of value in having your CAPM, as you will have demonstrated a familiarity with PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). With that said, be aware that you may have to educate potential employers what CAPM stands for (Certified Associate in Project Management) and the value that it provides. This is a function of the fact that there are more than 300,000 PMPs in the world, and there are only about 3,000 CAPMs worldwide. In fact, heard a funny story from a colleague who had earned her CAPM and interviewed for a Project Coordinator position. She assumed they knew what the acronym stood for and mentioned receiving the CAPM credential. After she got the job, the hiring manager asked her why she mentioned getting her Captains License (she lives in San Diego, and they just assumed it was for sailing!).

To me, getting the CAPM or the PMP demonstrates a commitment to project management as a profession. It shows me that someone has taken the initiative to thoroughly understand project management concepts and has passed a difficult exam (no small feat). It also shows me that they understand Project Management “best practice” and are in it for the long haul.

What do you think? CAPM, PMP, or both? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Training for my first marathon

2011-09-18T05:04:30Z

Once you get out the door, the rest is easy.

I have never been what you would call a runner - and you don’t have to be either to run a marathon. In fact, if you asked me even a year ago if I ever dreamed of running a marathon, I would have told you no. It’s not something that’s ever really been on my radar. Just a few short months ago, I would get out of breath climbing stairs or running very short distances. I didn’t really understand people who liked running. It just wasn’t my thing.

However, after giving running another try, I changed my thinking on the sport, and in about six weeks, I will be racing the Marine Corps Marathon. In these last few months of training, I have learned some great lessons along the way. If you are thinking about trying a marathon or triathlon, I hope they will be helpful to you too:

Set a goal by signing up for a race – At work, when you have a deadline, you have a goal to work towards. The same is true with sports. When you set a date for yourself and commit some of your hard earned money, it changes you perspective and gives you something to shoot for. It’s amazing how much more motivated you will be in getting out the door when you have a date on the calendar - It really works. If you are thinking of running a marathon or doing a triathlon, the best first step is to sign up for a race. Don’t know what events are in your area? Just go to Active.com. You can search by the type of event in your area. It’s a great resource to find your first race.
Find someone to hold you accountable – It’s always easier to do something if you know someone is counting on you. One way to make sure you stay committed is to tell everyone around you that you are doing a race. When I sign up for a race, I post it on Facebook. It’s embarrassing to have to go back to those same friends and tell them you didn’t do a race, and this desire to avoid embarrassment has gotten me out the door more than once. You may even find that a friend or family member will sign up for the race. Also, think about joining a running or triathlon club. Most running stores have free weekly group runs (We go to Pacers and Lulu Lemon in DC). I also love the website DailyMile. It’s like Facebook for sports. You can post your workouts, pictures, etc.; It’s a huge community of people in exactly the same boat, and it’s lots of fun. After a tiring (and sometimes not so great workout), I find that posting my run online gives me a nice sense of accomplishment. It’s also a great place to get advice or just encouragement (which we all need so very much when trying something new and difficult).
Get the right gear – Just like with any sport, you need the right gear, and it really does make a difference. Most importantly, you need a good pair of running shoes. The best pace to find shoes is at a running specific store. There is at least one great store in most every city - you just have to look for them. The benefit of going to a running store is that they will take a look at your arch, stride, and make sure you get a pair of shoes that will allow you to run long distances and keep you free from injury. Running-specific socks without any seams on the inside make a huge difference too. I didn’t think there was anything to this until I ran with a pair of regular gym socks and ended up with very painful blisters and corns (no fun at all, believe me!). Also, look for running gear made of breathable material. Cotton doesn’t allow your sweat to evaporate and you will chafe, particularly at longer distances (as it turns out, this is not so much fun either).
There will be pain, but it won’t kill you – Whenever you try any new sport, there will be injuries – blisters, cuts, bruises, as well as aches and pains in muscles you’re not used to using. If you’re like me, there will be moments where you question why the heck you are even putting yourself through this. There will be bad days and loads of them. But even with the bad days, you do get stronger; and there will be good days - days where you feel like you’re flying, days where you surprise yourself and others around you at what you can do, days where your mind becomes clear, you find peace, and come up with a ton of new, great ideas – but only if you can get through the bad days and get yourself out the door again. One last thing, make sure you take care of yourself, especially after long runs. One of the things I have found to be helpful is to drink a run recovery drink (Endurox R4 fruit punch flavor is my favorite) to prevent muscle soreness, so you can pick yourself up and get out there again.
Never skip the long run – I generally like to get by with the minimum effort, and try to talk myself out of runs all the time (It’s too hot out, It’s raining, I don’t have time, I’ll run tomorrow), but one thing I’ve learned is that you can’t ever skip your long runs, and you will only perform as well as the time you commit to running. If you skip runs and try to show up at the start line, your body will feel it, and you will suffer. Make sure you make the time and show up prepared. Unfortunately, there are no short cuts in training.

Here’s the deal, if I can do this (and I used to absolutely despise running), you can do this. It’s just a matter of deciding that you can. If you still don’t think you could ever run a marathon or triathlon, I urge you to watch this video: www.teamhoyt.com When I get discouraged or downright whiny about training, I watch it as a reminder to stay committed and to carry on.

Revised PDU categories make it easier than ever to maintain your PMP certification!

2011-08-29T18:26:18Z

In an effort to make it easier to obtain and report PDUs, PMI recently streamlined their PDU categories. The new system features only 6 categories, versus 18 under the previous model. This is a positive change for project managers trying to maintain PMP certification. Below is a summary of the changes, along with my favorite picks on creative and easy ways to get PDUs.

EDUCATION (pretty much unlimited PDUs here)

"Category A: Courses offered by PMI R.E.P.s or Chapters and Communities" - There aren't any real changes here. The category listing was simplified, so that these items come up first on the list. Some of my picks:

Beyond20 holds free webinars worth 1 PDU on a variety of subjects (hot topics like ITIL and Agile / Scrum, advanced Project Management concepts, etc.) most Fridays. Contact us to find out when the next one is scheduled.
Another one of my favorite things to recommend in this category is to listen to PMIWDC webinars. If you are already a PMI member, joining the Washington DC chapter costs $35/year, and they offer more than 100 webinars to their members for FREE! You don't have to live or work in DC to join the chapter, and the quality of the presenters is generally very high.
Adding a credential to your resume is a great way to get PDUs and differentiate yourself in the marketplace. Consider getting one of PMI's other certifications (i.e. PgMP) or another "best practice" like Six Sigma, PRINCE2, ITIL, etc.

"Category B: Continued Education" - This section has been simplified to encompass any non-PMI or non-REP events, courses, etc.
"Category C: Self Directed Learning" - I really like the changes in this category. First, the maximum number of PDUs has been raised from 15 to 30 PDUs per 3-year cycle. Second, a lot more items have been included in this category. For example, this category now encompasses: reading articles, white papers, books, or instructional manuals, watching project management videos, having discussions with other project management professionals, mentoring or being mentored, etc.

GIVING BACK TO THE PROFESSION (a total of 45 PDUs can be earned across these 3 categories)

"Category D: Creating New Project Management Knowledge" – Not much has changed here.

My favorite item in this category that I always recommend to PMPs is authoring an article, which earns 15 PDUs. You can write an article on any area of expertise you have (a single page is fine) and submit it to a PMI chapter. Most PMI chapters have newsletters, and they are always looking for content.
Another fantastic way to get PDUs is to speak. Many PMI chapters have formed Toastmasters groups. You not only earn PDUs by attending, but become a better communicator too!

"Category E: Volunteer Service" – By becoming a PMI volunteer, you can earn up to 45 PDUs. This is HUGE! Previously, volunteers only earned 3-5 PDUs per calendar year, regardless of the amount of effort expended (which can be significant, believe me!). Now, PMI is awarding 1 PDU for each hour of non-compensated service. That is amazing!

I highly encourage anyone looking for PDUs to becoming a PMI volunteer for their local PMI chapter. It is worthwhile not only in maintaining your certification, but in your overall career. You will network with lots of other project management professionals, pick up a few new skills, and be able to showcase your talents to others. I have known countless people that have found jobs by volunteering with PMI. It is definitely worth your time.

"Category F: Work as a Practitioner" - For each year you work as a Project Manager, you can claim 5 PDUs. Over the course of three years, you can earn 15 PDUs. No change here.

Interested in learning more? Check out PMI's site with details on the six PDU categories here.

Have other great ideas on ways to earn PDUs? I would love to hear them!

Are you sharing your “tribal knowledge” with others?

2011-06-28T17:32:01Z

I recently gave a presentation at PMI San Diego’s conference about how to “stand out” as a Project Manager. We all want to “stand out”: to be looked up to as the expert in our fields, be first in line for a promotion, get the coolest opportunities, and work on the best projects. But, how exactly do we become the expert?

Many of us as Project Managers are champions for process improvement and organizational maturity. We look for ways to get those around us to document their “tribal knowledge” or “lessons learned” for the good of the organization and team. However, most of us are guilty of keeping our own “tribal knowledge” in our heads. We do this to the detriment of our teams, companies, and our own careers.

Regardless of whether you are a Project Manager or hold an entirely different role in an organization, I encourage you to put your knowledge on paper. It doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task - write a short article, blog post, response to someone else’s blog, company newsletter, etc. When we share our knowledge with others, we showcase our talents and experience and, thereby, start to demonstrate expertise in our field. We are all experts in something - It’s time to share that knowledge with others.

Don’t know what to write about? It doesn’t have to be a stressful exercise or require a lot of preparation and research (though that is great too). I like to start by asking, “What would ‘me from 10 years ago’ wish they knew?” Other topics that are easy to begin writing about are things like:

What’s it like in my day-to-day job or in my industry?
What does it take to get into a role like this? How did I get into this role / industry?
What do I love most about this job or career path?
What habits, skills, or best practices make someone in this role successful?
What are the biggest lessons I have learned (whether on a particular project or in my overall career)?
What information can I share that would be helpful to someone new in a particular industry or role?
What’s the funniest / most challenging / surprising / greatest learning experience I have ever encountered?
Who or what has impacted my career the most and why?

If you speak genuinely, you show people that you too have made mistakes and learned from them. As a result, you will grab people’s attention and begin to “stand out” in your industry. We all have valuable information stored away in our heads, and people love to hear stories. Why not share yours with others? How many cool projects, events, or other important lessons have you kept to yourself and not shared with someone that could benefit from your knowledge?

Mastering the Dreaded Phone Interview

2011-03-11T15:38:00Z

Phone interviews, just like in-person interviews, can mean the difference between getting that next great job and being passed over for someone else. Thus, it’s important to take phone interviews seriously. Here are some sure-fire tips that will help you make a great first impression and get invited to the next step of the interview process.

Preparing for the Interview

Get a copy of the job description, and write down any and all ways your experience fits with what the company is looking for. Try to recall as many stories as you can of how you have successfully performed one or more of the items they are looking for.
Update your resume accordingly. Print out a copy of your resume, along with the job description, and have them by the phone. They need to be accessible for quick reference, and they are a great place to take notes during the interview.
Research the company and interviewer. Print out any pertinent information from the company website, LinkedIn, etc.
Come up with a list of questions for the interviewer, and have them close by the phone. The more information you have in front of you, the more prepared you will sound during the interview.

During the Interview

Dress in business attire as if you were going in for an interview. Even though no one will see you, studies have found that people sound more professional when they are dressed the part.
Stand up during the phone interview. Your voice will sound more confident than it will if you remain seated. I also like to walk around a bit, both to increase the tone and energy of my voice and to walk out any jitters I may have.
Place a mirror in front of you and make sure to smile. As silly as it sounds, interviewers can hear a genuine smile through the phone.
Do not let the interviewer get off the phone without expressing your excitement about the opportunity and inquiring about the next step.

After the Interview

Be sure to follow up with a short, simple Thank You email.

Got any other great tips? I would love to hear them! Leave your comments here…

New Year’s Resolution Idea: Be a Mentor.

2011-01-05T03:49:00Z

Everybody needs a mentor - Donovan Bailey

We all know a little something about something, right? For me, I know a lot about networking and project management, and I love to share my knowledge with just about anyone that will listen. Why? Because it’s something I so very much wished I had learned early on in my career. Something I wish a mentor, a boss, anyone had taken the time to tell me about when I was young. I thought I knew everything, and I (unfortunately) acted in some very career limiting ways. Is there someone out there that you can help with the knowledge you have?

Being a mentor doesn’t have to be a formal thing. In fact, you don’t even have to tell someone, “Hey, I’m going to mentor you”. Just do it. Just offer advice. Just show kindness. Just take someone out to lunch and talk with them about their challenges and what you have learned along the way. Show them that you don’t have it all figured out either, and that that’s ok. It’s a journey we’re all on. No one has it figured out (even the bestselling authors who write about it and seem to have all the answers. Trust me on this one).

If you want to make it formal, more power to you! Feel free to start a mentoring program at work. Start one in your church. Start one at school. Everyone needs a mentor. Why not take the initiative to be one? You are more experienced than someone else out there. There will always be someone younger, newer, or less experienced than you in some way. Be the one to stretch out your hand and offer your help. We all desperately need and want help. If you give help, you will learn so much and grow so much as a result. Try it. You will be surprised by what you (and those around you) get from it.

PgMP: The next big differentiator? My certification experience.

2010-11-09T21:25:00Z

I recently received my PgMP certification and thought it would be a great time to blog about my experience with the overall process. For those of you not familiar with the PgMP certification, it is one of the Project Management Institute’s three new certifications, and there are currently ~400 PgMPs worldwide. It is for those that have managed overall programs, and getting certified was a 2010 goal for me as a program management consultant. Here are some of my takeaways:

It’s definitely worth reading the PgMP Handbook upfront as the application process is expensive ($1,500) and has numerous steps. For me, it took about 4 months start to finish. Below is a quick overview of the steps:

Complete the online application. This part is not hard, but it is somewhat tedious. You will need to list all of the programs and projects you have worked on, a list of reference contacts, and complete 8 summary statements. Plan at least 1-2 weeks to get this done. It was helpful for me to update, print out, and have my resume next to me as I was completing the application. Also, I would highly recommend reading PMI’s “Standard for Program Management” prior to answering the summary questions. I listed my experiences without using specific program management terminology/concepts, and it was kicked back (thus delaying the process by a few weeks).
Pay PMI your money. This takes only as much time as it takes to pull out your credit card and pay online.
Submit audit documentation. I got audited, and you probably will too. With as few PgMPs as there are out there, I imagine everyone gets audited. This involves getting a copy of your diploma and signed statements from a colleague or supervisor at each place that you have led programs. Everyone sends their statements to you, and you mail everything back to PMI. PMI gives you 30 days to get everything in. This took me about a week or so. I made sure to send emails to everyone to give them a heads up, and that helped move things along.
Re-submit your summary statements (as needed). Hopefully, you will take my advice above and will only have to submit your summary statements once. In my case, PMI let me know what questions did not meet their standard and sent me some thought provoking questions to help me better answer what they were asking. This was extremely helpful.
Study for and take the exam. This is where my experience may differ from others. I know a few PgMPs as well as some of the authors of PgMP study material and reached out to them for advice. I consistently heard that the “Standard for Program Management” was helpful, so I bought the book from Amazon and read it twice (once to complete my summary statements and once in preparation for the exam). I memorized the Program Management framework table at the beginning of the book and made sure I understood each of the concepts throughout. I even went so far as to chart mind maps of all 47 processes across my office wall. Looking back, this might have been a little overkill, but it seemed to help me. I had also heard from a number of people that most of the PgMP study guides currently out there do not do a great job of testing to the exam, so I figured I would study this one book, take the exam, and hope for the best. All told, I studied for about 1 week (I would recommend spending more time studying than I did. A colleague told me, much to my panic the day before my exam, that the pass rate is 50% on the first try). I went in a little blind (and a LOT stressed), but managed to pass on the first attempt. My two cents:
- Ultimately, PMI’s “Standard for Program Management” was sufficient to get me through the exam. Overall, the exam itself wasn’t too bad. However, with all of the reading required for the scenarios, I used the whole 4 hours to complete the exam; and it was pretty stressful. I drew out the Program Management framework from the “Standard on Program Management” on the scratch paper provided and was a little surprised there weren’t more questions on Inputs, Outputs, Tools & Techniques. The Input questions that were on the exam didn’t quite line with up what I studied, so I made a best guess. There were also a number of redundant questions and scenarios that seemed to ask the same thing (i.e. making sure the overall program lines up with organizational goals). However, the questions were pretty straight forward, and I was actually able to answer many of the questions by looking at the answers first and deducing which was the “best practice” answer.
Complete the Multi-Rater Assessment. Your reference contacts will receive an online survey to rate their perception of your skills as a program manager. One of the tips I received from a fellow PgMP (Jeff Hodgkinson, who was a huge help to me, and I want to be sure to thank him here) was to include more than twice the number of references that you need as not everyone will complete their surveys within the allotted time (21 days). I sent an email to my reference contacts when I first started the application process. However, it took me awhile to get through all of the steps. I would recommend waiting to contact your references until after you pass your exam.

In all, the PgMP has been a great learning experience, and I am exceedingly happy to count myself among the few PgMPs out there today. Back when I initially received my PMP certification, it was a huge differentiator, but that is no longer the case. I see the PgMP as the new differentiator out there among seasoned program managers and hope to help others along this path. Please feel free to reach out to me with comments or questions about the PgMP, and best of luck!!

PMP Exam Study Tips

2010-09-20T14:55:00Z

Thinking about taking the PMP exam to further your career? Here are some tips I have found to be helpful in preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.

Take studying seriously – This is a hard test! Most people generally spend 100-200 hours studying. Just because you have been a Project Manager does not mean that you will easily pass this exam. Just ask anyone that has taken it. Make sure you are adequately prepared and study appropriately.
Enroll in a PMP exam prep course. This will save you a tremendous amount of time and effort and provide you with the 35 educational hours required to sit for the exam (if you don't already have them).
Using a blank piece of paper, practice writing and re-writing the Project Management Framework table with the 9 knowledge areas, 5 process groups, and 42 processes
Create mind-maps to help you memorize the Inputs, Outputs, Tools and Techniques for each of the 42 processes
Be sure to take lots of practice exams and simulate the real exam as best you can. This will help you focus your study time on any areas that you are weak
Form a study group or find a “study buddy” to keep you accountable
Following a prep class, schedule the exam while the information is still fresh (no more than two weeks afterward)
Make sure you understand the "why" of everything rather than just relying on straight memorization. Many exam questions are long and tricky, and you need to make sure you understand the concepts behind the terminology

Best of luck! Let me know if this information is helpful to you.

7 Ideas on Getting Started with Social Media

2010-09-12T03:01:00Z

Not sure how to join in on social networking and make a name for yourself?
Here are 7 ideas that will help you build relationships and get noticed:

Answer questions on LinkedIn
Leave comments with helpful information on other people’s blogs
Start your own blog (WordPress is a great place to start)
Write an article and submit it online or to a professional organization’s e-newsletter
Set up a Twitter account and start tweeting!
Ask new people to connect on LinkedIn or Facebook
Follow 10 new people on Twitter (you can follow me here: www.twitter.com/erikaflora)

Here are some great books worth reading on social networking and building trust online:

"Trust Agents" by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
"Twitter Power 2.0" by Joel Comm

3 Keys to Making a Difference

2010-08-26T19:12:00Z

Networking, very simply, is about becoming good at 3 things: helping others, meeting new people, and developing the friendships you already have. I challenge you to try one or two of the ideas listed below over the next few weeks. You will be amazed at the impact it makes on the lives of others as well as your own. Best of luck!

Help Others

Introduce people that would benefit from knowing one another
Recommend a friend or colleague for a job
Volunteer your time for a local professional organization

Meet New People

Get out more and try new things!
Make sure to bring business cards everywhere you go
Ask people you meet about themselves
Get others talking by asking open ended questions (that start with “What…” or “How…”)

Develop Existing Friendships

Host a dinner party at your house with people you would like to get to know better
Email or call people you have not talked to in awhile and ask how they are doing - no agenda, just connect!
Develop strong relationships with recruiters - always provide them with people to contact and ask them about your industry

Have any related ideas or stories to share? Please leave me a quick comment

My Very First Youtube Video Series: 5 Ways to Stand Out as a Project Manager in Today's Economy!

2010-07-13T14:00:00Z

Check out the video from my presentation at PMIWDC entitled, "5 Keys to Standing Out as a Project Manager in Today's Economy " Lots of fun, practical tips on standing out every day, in every way, with everyone.

Note: This is a four-part video. Check out parts 2, 3, and 4 here.

The Million Dollar Consultant Calls Me a "boob", or: How NOT to Manage Your Brand Online

2010-07-10T20:35:00Z

When was the last time someone called you a "boob"? For me, it was yesterday! Here's how it went down: For months, I had a Twitter account, but had not been using it much. That was, until I read Joel Comm's book, "Twitter Power". It's a fabulous book, one that got me really excited to take a more active interest in Twitter.

So, I started following people - lots of them. Mainly, I started looking for people that had something interesting to say, both famous and not so famous. I started going through author names for books on my shelf that I liked, one of which was an author named Alan Weiss.

However, when I visited his Twitter homepage, I was immediately turned off. The guy had a professional photo taken of him in his Bentley. Now, don't get me wrong, I think Bentleys are beautiful cars - I just wouldn't hire a photographer to take my picture in one and then use that picture as my twitter background. Nor would I name my Twitter account after it. That's pretty much the domain of the late night TV "Get Rich Quick" guys, isn't it? The ones who have a fool proof method for beating the stock market, but choose to sell it on TV instead of actually... beating the stock market? It's a bit much.

The other thing I noticed was that he has almost 2,000 followers and doesn't follow a single person. I don't think you need to follow someone just because they follow you, but, seriously... no one? How is that possible? There are so many interesting and fantastic people on Twitter! I have learned so much from other people on Twitter that I would have never discovered on my own. What that says to me is that he only likes to hear himself talk and doesn't think he can learn anything from anyone else. So...I made an honest comment about it on Twitter, and that's when all the trouble started...

If I received a comment like this, my response would probably have been to say something like, "I'm sorry you feel that way" or "This is why I don't follow anyone...". This is the Twitter response I received.

But it didn't stop there. I guess I upset him enough, that he talked about me on his podcast too. I'm not really sure what he was trying to say, but he called me a "boob" and then rambled on about how I should be listening to him because he creates value (and then some other stuff about his dogs and hamburgers). Ironically, I have listened to him, in fact, I have recommended his book to dozens of people and read through his "quality" posts, like this one:

I'll let you decide what brand message that sends about the author.

There is a quote I like: "Keep the company of those who are in search of the truth, and run from those who have found it." Following others on Twitter demonstrates a willingness to continue learning from others, even while you communicate your own message. It's a medium that allows a true dialogue with others. Instead, Alan seems to have spent a little too much time in his own echo chamber and doesn't want to hear anything but praise. People have said lots of things about me, some good, some not so good, but I take it all in and figure out how I can use it to become a better human being. As a business owner, if someone has something negative to say, I want to hear it. How else can I fix something if I don't know there's a problem?

Bottom line: Networking is all about being generous, caring about others, remaining humble, and being focused on others rather than focused on yourself. When I see someone that is completely "me focused", I have to call it out...even if it gets me called a "boob".

10 Ways to Stand Out at Work

2010-07-07T21:33:00Z

Stuck in a rut at work? Don't just sit there...Change it up!
Here are some quick ideas that will recharge your excitement and help you stand out at work.
Pick any couple of ideas that you like, and try them out over the next 30 days.

Get training on something new
Take on a new project at work (Read Tom Peter's book "Project50" on ways to make even boring projects WOW!)
Try to listen more than you talk
Share a great link or blog article with colleagues
Go to lunch with someone in a different department
Take the Strengths Finder 2.0 quiz (www.strengthsfinder.com) and think about ways you can develop your strengths
Share your knowledge with and help mentor others. Heck, start a mentoring program!
Start or contribute to a newsletter at work
Write unsolicited recommendations on LinkedIn for people you have enjoyed working with
Nominate yourself, your team, or a colleague for an award!

Have other creative ideas or stories on how these ideas have worked for you? I would love to hear them! Please leave your comments...

Check out my radio interview on PMStudent! ITIL for New Project Managers

2010-07-06T16:00:00Z

The other day, Josh Nankivel interviewed me for his website, the PMStudent. We discussed some ITIL basics and other helpful information for project managers wanting to learn more about the ITIL credential. Check out the complete clip here: ITIL for New Project Managers.

Want your project to be successful? Party Early and Often!

2010-06-30T19:55:00Z

You don’t need a large budget or a lot of time to make your project “stick” in the minds of those within your organization. With a little ingenuity, you can get people engaged in the mission of your project and have a lot of fun too. Here are three things we “did right” in a recent enterprise project that captured stakeholder attention and brought excitement to our project:

Involve the entire company in a project naming contest
Communicate project messages frequently and in unexpected ways
Put some creative thought into the “project completion” celebration

I was working with a pharmaceutical company that was struggling to communicate real-time project information across locations and allow leadership to view the progress of projects across departments and for drugs in various stages of development. We found an Enterprise Project Management (EPM) solution that would meet the company’s needs, received funding approval, and presented the project to the executive team.

In the middle of my presentation, the CEO stopped me and asked, “What’s the name of it?” I proceeded to explain the different technologies that made up the solution, and he responded, “No, this project needs a name!” Rather than name the project ourselves, my team decided to hold a company-wide naming contest. We saw widespread awareness of the project as a critical success factor, and wanted to generate a buzz before kickoff. We sent out an email to everyone in the organization saying, “Help us name our project!” We gave some very general guidelines (This project will help improve company-wide project communication and collaboration) and offered a $100 gift card for the person with the winning idea.

The contest was an immediate success, and nearly everyone in the company submitted at least one idea - Some submitted five or more! The submissions were clever, very funny, and thoughtful (I mean, who doesn’t like P.I.E., the project information exchange?). We asked the executive staff to select the winning name, and the name Mercury (the god of communication) was chosen.
Aside from a great name, we were able to reap significant rewards from our naming contest. Since all of the suggestions came from outside the project team, there was a level of interest in the project across the whole enterprise.   Further, the executive leadership team was responsible for choosing the winning name. Not only did this keep our project top of mind with the executive board, the board got a chance to see the level of enterprise wide participation and interest in the project firsthand.   Everyone knew that “Mercury” was on its way, and they wanted to see what it was.

Once the name was chosen, we decided we needed a face to go with it. We were able to find a great picture of “Mercury” online: a simple, blue smiley-face with a winged hat. He became our logo and mascot. We included his smiling face in our team communications, and, eventually, within the web-based solution itself. The Mercury “character” made a transformative technology personal and friendly.

Once the project was underway, we knew we needed to keep the project “top of mind”.   Our strategy was to grab attention by communicating our message in unexpected ways.   One week, we selected a number of magazine photos with famous (and not so famous) people on them. We then replaced the celebrity faces in the photos with images of project stakeholders throughout the company, attaching cartoon captions on the ads. One featured a Manager saying, “I can’t wait to see what Mercury will do for my department!” while playing basketball with one of the Directors (and George Clooney). The Director was shown responding, “Yeah, I’m pretty excited too.”

Early one morning, we taped up the doctored photos all over the building, and the response was immediate. People were walking from one department to another to see the different photos, and who on their team would be “featured” from each department. The clippings were hilarious, and spurred even greater buzz. The level of interest also pushed our team to ensure we were successful; we knew we had to deliver a good product on-time and under-budget. We sacrificed a lot of nights and weekends to make sure everything was done and done well. It was an exciting time, and everyone on the team was focused on making this project successful.

As the go-live date was approaching, the team decided we should celebrate in a unique way. We planned a birthday party on the day that Mercury would be “born”. The day of go-live, we sent out an email telling everyone that cake and ice cream would be served at 1pm in one of the conference rooms to announce the birth of Mercury. We brought in blue balloons, candy cigars, streamers, and had a party. Everyone came (seriously, who doesn’t like cake and ice cream at work?), and our CEO said a few words congratulating the team and communicating his enthusiasm for the new project management system. Naysayers at the beginning of the project were happily stuffing their faces with cake and celebrating the success along with the rest of us. It was a great moment, and a project the entire team could be proud of. We delivered a solution that brought tremendous benefit to the company; and we couldn’t have done it without the end to end support we received from our fully engaged stakeholders. It’s amazing what a little creativity and resourcefulness can do!

Ways to make presentation ideas "stick"

2010-06-20T05:40:00Z

I just finished the book "Made to Stick " by Chip and Dan Heath (really enjoyed it) and found some great resources on their website. One in particular is an article entitled, "Making Your Presentation Stick". They have other great resources like "Making You Stick" for standing out in job interviews and "Teaching That Sticks". You have to register on their website, but the articles are a quick read and very helpful. I highly recommend checking it out: http://heathbrothers.com/resources/#mts

ITIL: A Project Manager's Perspective

2010-05-18T17:30:00Z

If you are a Project Manager working in an IT environment, you may have heard the acronym ITIL^® (IT Infrastructure Library, a set of books similar in nature to PMI’s PMBOK Guide) or ITSM (IT Service Management – the concept of IT as a “service” to the business). If you haven’t heard of ITIL, you will. Why? Simply put: in terms of industry adoption, ITIL is one of the fastest growing frameworks in the IT industry today.

ITIL helps organizations increase IT efficiency, improve quality, and control costs. In fact, AMR Research reports that IT organizations that have implemented ITILbest practices have saved up to 10% in IT costs without sacrificing the quality of service delivery. That is why U.S. Computer Economics has projected that approximately 45% of all organizations, both large and small, in the US and Canada will have adopted ITIL best practices in some form by the end of 2008.

High Demand for ITIL Expertise
Companies are turning to ITIL, and the demand for individuals with skills and expertise in this area is increasing. So much so, in fact, that ITIL certifications rank as some of the highest paid certifications in technology, along with PMI’s CAPM and PMP credentials. In recent salary surveys from ZDNet’s Tech Republic , PMI and ITIL credentials consistently rank in the top three IT certifications industry wide. With ITIL’s continued growth in the United States, the demand for IT Project Managers with expertise in ITIL will continue.

Focus is on Process, not Technology
The most compelling and interesting similarity between PMI’s PMBOK Guide and the ITIL books is that both are descriptive frameworks centered around process, not technology.

What this means to you is that both are extremely approachable standards. For example, the PMP exam does not ask how you would go about creating a milestone task within Microsoft Project. Rather, it makes sure you understand the importance of creating milestones.

The ITIL books are the same way. In order to really understand IT Service Management as a practice, you do not need to understand servers or switches. Rather, you need to understand things like the importance of controlling change, defining service levels, and maintaining a catalog of all your services to the business in terms the business can understand.

Both are bodies of knowledge covering simple principles that are drawn from deep industry experience. They both detail concepts that are scalable and adaptable to each organization. For example, the Project Plan for a small, simple project is going to look very different for a large, complex one. In the same way, the process for managing a minor software patch release is going to have a different scale of requirements compared to a brand new, enterprise-wide software release.

Frameworks on a Similar Mission
In the PMBOK Guide, the goal is to provide project results, on-time and under budget, that meet the needs of the customer. In the ITIL best practice set, the goal is to provide IT “services” that provide value to the business in an ongoing and cost efficient manner.

Both the PMBOK Guide and ITIL guidance have the same mission, to elevate the profession by adding structure and rigor around what is done. Both strive to create a common language and deliver predictable results in a repeatable manner.

For example, in projects, there is a tendency to compress planning and/or testing under the pressure of an aggressive timeline. However, a good project manager knows the importance of planning to alleviate rework later.

In the same way, businesses want IT to be agile and quick to make changes, while avoiding unforeseen consequences. This is done by putting processes in place to prevent unauthorized changes to the IT infrastructure. By having the discipline to develop and follow a formal Change Management process, IT organizations can handle more changes and lessen the risk to the production environment.

My Own Experience
I found ITIL to be a great compliment to my Project Management skill set as it covers topics in Change Management, Knowledge Management, etc. I really wished I had become certified when I first got involved in technology as it would have set me up with an understanding of how IT processes work (or should ideally work) and would have allowed me to better “speak the language” early on with others in IT.

Getting certified has also given me a greater appreciation of the importance of effective Service Management. I would highly recommend that other Project Managers working in (or with) technology look into ITIL certification as a way to compliment the PMP. In today’s competitive market, it sets you apart from the pack and provides you with an expanded toolset for successfully managing projects.

Don't let your PMP certification expire! Easy ways to get lots of PDUs fast.

2010-01-26T00:55:00Z

A colleague recently asked me how to get 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) in a few short weeks without breaking the bank. Here are some of my favorites:

PMI's IS Specific Interest Group (SIG) has lots of free webinars (1 PDU per webinar) available to SIG members ($35/year to join). This is a category 3.
You can write an article on any area of expertise you have and submit it to your local chapter of PMI. This is a category 2B and earns 15 PDUs.
For each 12-month period you work as a Project Manager, you can claim 5 PDUs. Over the course of three years, you can earn 15 PDUs. This is a category 2H.
You can claim up to 15 PDUs for category 2-SDL, Self Directed Learning. This includes articles, books, instructional manuals, videos, CD-ROMs or other material resources. Podcasts are a great way to earn 15 PDUs under this category. Here are two popular ones: www.pm-podcast.com and http://www.controllingchaos.com
Attend local PMI chapter meetings! Many chapters have breakfast, lunch, and or dinner meetings that will give you 1+ PDUs under category 3 per event.
If you already volunteer for a non-profit organization, you can claim 5 PDUs per year. Thus, you can get up to 15 PDUs under category 5 for giving of your time.
Last, you can take a "hot topic" course (Agile / Scrum, Six Sigma, ITIL/ITSM, etc.) that will earn you lots of PDUs and give you a certification that looks great on your resume. Look for Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) with PMI to earn PDUs under category 3. Here is an example of one for ITIL v3 Foundations certification that gives you 18 PDUs under category 3.

Once you sign into PMI's website, you can submit PDUs online. The PDU site has been recently redesigned and is really easy to use. So, you now have ideas on a total of over 80 PDUs that you can get in a few weeks time. No more excuses on maintaining your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification!