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5 continuing education resources for project managers
Deborah Ike Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementProject management is a profession that requires continual learning to hone our skills. As we move from project to project, we’ll encounter new team configurations, different industries, changes in technology, and more. To stay ahead of the curve, we need to proactively seek out learning opportunities. For those with the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or another PMI designation, earning Professional Development Units (PDUs) is part of maintaining that credential. Here are five resources to consider as you look for ways to learn and grow as a project manager.
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How to follow a plan implementation schedule at your association
William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Association ManagementWhat follows is a real-life implementation process carried out by an association in the Midwest. Kudos to the board and professional staff for taking the new plan seriously. This thoughtful approach will keep future board meetings and committees on track while communicating value to members and prospects. Let’s consider that this planning session was conducted in January. A process for successful implementation began immediately upon adjournment. Here’s what occurred with an astute executive director within 90 days of the planning retreat.
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Business lessons learned from the Boston Marathon
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEarlier this week, I had the opportunity to watch the Boston Marathon. If you've haven't seen this race, which happens to be the oldest marathon in the U.S., I'd encourage you to do so. It's quite a sight to behold. Here are some of my key takeaways from the race that can apply to business.
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Performance improvement plans aren’t just for problem employees
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFew of us like giving negative feedback. From quick tips to academic research findings, there is no shortage of advice on how to deliver it, though. One aspect rarely discussed is how to share positive feedback, because presumably everyone is good at that. However, in my work I have found that few people are good at giving either kind of feedback. Yet, because positive feedback is so much less fraught than negative, we worry about and discuss it less. Instead, we should focus on getting better at giving positive feedback to improve our ability to give negative feedback. After all, improving performance should not be limited to problem employees.
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Are your employees afraid to work together?
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGender equity and opportunity are still lacking in many organizations. Awareness, strategy and intentional actions to close the gaps are also lacking. Most organizations I've spoken with have statements, posters and resource groups that support gender equity. This is good, but not enough. Without behavior changing at every level, there will be no real lasting change. We need everyone to ensure workplaces and communities practice gender equity and develop strategies that build trust, prevent harassment, and eliminate bias every day. When people don't work with someone from another gender or get to know them, it seeds distrust.
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3 steps to impactful sexual harassment prevention training
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management#MeToo has had a significant impact on organizational awareness of pervasive harassment issues. The number of states implementing sexual harassment prevention training requirements continues to increase, as does the number of progressive organizations offering training regardless of external requirements. But does all this training do anything to address the problem? Here are three steps to increase the chances it does.
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Are you measuring the right things?
Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe good news about today's technology-enabled world is that we have the ability to measure just about anything. And the bad news is that in today’s technology-enabled world, we have the ability to measure just about anything. We are literally drowning in data points — some of them more useful than others, but all of them screaming for our attention. How do you determine on which measurements to focus? Here's the key point to remember: What gets measured gets managed.
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Companies typically underinvest in managers — so invest in yourself
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementManagers play a crucial role in organizations — in fact, the employee-manager relationship is usually the determining factor in whether an employee is engaged and committed to the organization. And yet, many companies don't invest heavily in training their managers. However, if you want to be a great manager — which can lead to being recognized and rewarded for your efforts — you may need to invest in yourself.
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Structural systems and processes to sustain an association
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementEvery association has a framework. A solid and well-built framework promotes sustainability and a strong structure. The following are the key structural systems and processes for performance excellence. If one is missing, the organization is not “firing on all cylinders,” and will need a tune up. We will explore each of these areas one by one and the essential items in each area that should be in place to run at peak performance. These areas are governing documents; strategic direction; performance measures; protocols and behaviors; committees and task forces; and financial oversight.
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You don’t bring me flowers anymore: When customers turn on you
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOne day you’re walking on water, the best thing since sliced bread, you can do no wrong, and your customer is going to tell all their friends how wonderful your product and service are. And the next day, wham, suddenly you’re a pariah, a nobody, the worst ever, and they’re going to report you to the authorities to have your licenses revoked, have you thrown in jail, and bashed on any social media that exists. What happened? Did you change overnight? Did the other person change overnight? Did the circumstances surrounding your relationship change overnight?
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