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April 30, 2023 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

6 Ways Project Managers Can Advance Their Careers

in a volatile market, impressing top brass becomes more important

Projects tackle the urgent and important objectives an organization needs to thrive, so project managers tend to hold a special position of responsibility as well as a unique visibility in the work world. As a project manager, program manager or …

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  • March 29, 2023 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    Entrepreneurship and the Risk of Confirmation Bias

    How wishful thinking can be dangerous to your business

    It seems that starting a business has never been easier. Social media and crowd funding are just a couple of the developments that have eased the way for entrepreneurs. With online tools, an entrepreneur can now set up shop and …

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  • February 24, 2023 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    An Interview with ChatGPT on Asking the Right Questions

    ChatGPT gives wrong answers—for tips on preventing this, we turned to the source

    The advances in artificial intelligence as demonstrated by OpenAI’s new ChatGPT chatbot are truly amazing. It suddenly seems like anyone can get answers about any topic, or can use the chatbot to write essays, compose poems, solicit advice, and create …

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  • January 26, 2023 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    ‘Managing By Projects’ is Different From Project Management, And Here’s Why

    Some organizations use a methodology called “managing by projects,” but it’s not traditional Project Management  

    As organizations scramble to adapt to rapid changes in the contemporary work environment – including increased automation – there is a new focus on improving work methods and getting results by whatever means necessary. In the realm of project management, …

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  • December 30, 2022 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Building Effective Client-Consultant Relationships

    these 14 questions will help you assess the strength of the relationship

    Developing a partnership with your client—one built on mutual trust and understanding—is essential for establishing a long-term working relationship. If you aren’t trusted, your advice won’t be trusted. If you don’t understand the client as a person, you won’t know …

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  • November 30, 2022 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    In a Crisis, Project Managers Are Needed

    infamous tragedies remind us that the type of management matters

    There has always been a distinction between two ways of managing. The first type, operations management, requires managers to be directive and hierarchical to standardize routine organizational functions. The second, project management, requires managers to be more flexible, process-oriented, and …

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  • October 20, 2022 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    For Starting a New Business, Try These 5 Brainstorming Strategies

    new business ideas can be hard to come by, but these strategies are a good place start   

    For many, starting their own business seems like a wonderful dream, but it may also feel unattainable. Becoming your own boss, determining your own future, and having more freedom are some of the many attractions. In fact, most people have …

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  • September 17, 2022 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    The Future of Work: Freelancers Need Specialized Skills

    specialization paired with brand identity will help you compete

    If you had just a few minutes to convince a potential customer that you’re the perfect person for their freelance opportunity, what would you say? Which skills make you unique? Do you know your own value, and can you express …

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  • August 30, 2022 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    As the Economy Changes, Project Management Is Still In Demand

    economic transformations hit different industries in different ways

    Forty years ago, John Naisbitt, author of “Megatrends” (1982), predicted not only the shift of America’s industrial economy to less developed nations around the globe, but also the significantly reduced role of management in the U.S. workforce. Our economy moved …

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  • July 31, 2022 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    7 Reasons to Start a Business During a Recession

    the worst of times might actually be the smartest time to launch your company

    Starting a business during a recession may not seem like a great idea, but in fact it just might be the best time to launch your new venture. Companies such as Airbnb, Uber, and Venmo started during the recession that …

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  • June 25, 2022 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    How Project Managers Assess Project Value

    understanding value is one of the most important parts of the job

    One key aspect of project management is assessing the value of a project—but unfortunately, value assessment doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. As project managers, we all know it to be true: the definition of project success belongs in …

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  • May 31, 2022 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Moving Beyond Stalemate in Your Business Negotiations

    these 7 tricks might convert your stalemate into a renewed relationship   

    If you’ve ever played chess, you know that sometimes you and your partner reach a “stalemate.” A stalemate is a position in which no action can be taken. You’ve likely experienced negotiating situations in life where there has been a …

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  • April 14, 2022 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    Five Strategies for Successful Stakeholder Management

    How to manage complex projects while keeping stakeholders happy

    Anyone who works in project management knows that a lot of planning goes into preparing a project team to do its work, before the project itself even begins. Deliverables are spelled out; estimates are made regarding how long the project …

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  • March 28, 2022 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Projects Need Strong Leadership and Executive Support & Need to Build That from Day One

    projects often focus on the end goal, but a strong beginning is just as important

    Why do organizations create a project? Projects are created when important objectives cannot be easily obtained by doing “business as usual,” and when getting results is important to organizational success. Whether the project is created by an executive or an …

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  • February 26, 2022 | Resources

    6 Must-Reads About DAOs

    Recent opinions, perspectives, and research

    We’re all familiar with the common ways in which businesses are structured: corporations, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships are examples. But there is a new type of organization that is gaining traction. Although it is very early days, DAOs …

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  • January 20, 2022 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    COVID-19 Has Increased Job Automation, And That’s a Mixed Bag

    in some industries, the pandemic accelerated automation trends

    Many words come to mind when thinking about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the economy, but perhaps chief among them is uncertainty. The manifestations of this were everywhere—unemployment spiked, the stock market crashed, and speculation on securities ran wild. A …

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  • December 22, 2021 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Managerial Roles Have Changed & Here’s Where Project Management Fits In

    as some management types disappear, project managers fill an important gap 

    As technology changes how we work, the workforce has evolved in many different ways. One of the major evolving areas is how organizations are managed and controlled. In past decades, layers of management were put in place to supervise and …

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  • November 11, 2021 | Interviews

    Marjorie McShane on Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing & the Frontiers of AI

    InfoWorks spoke with the pioneering researcher about computational linguistics, intelligent agents, and the untapped potentials of knowledge-based systems 

    Most businesspeople are aware of the myriad ways that artificial intelligence has impacted the labor market. Ranging from fast food orders to invoicing, chatbots to supply chain management, AI is taking over roles once performed by human workers. As we …

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  • October 5, 2021 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    The Hybrid Workplace Introduces New Challenges and Novel Solutions

    Employees working from home are at risk of becoming second tier

    The hybrid workplace seems to be here to stay, and many are welcoming this change to a model that mixes remote work with time in the office. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, workers stated a preference to work at home …

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  • September 23, 2021 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Machine Learning Has Advanced, But Natural Language is a Hurdle

    even with recent advances in AI, computers can’t really understand human language

    Most of us are familiar with attempts by computers and software systems to understand spoken language—like when you ask your phone to tell you where the nearest sandwich shop is, or ask Alexa to play a favorite song. You’re also …

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  • August 13, 2021 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    5 Ways Consultants Habitually Improve Their Game

    learning from each gig and client should be part of your process 

    Becoming a better consultant isn’t something that has to be a major effort. Instead, it’s all about small, subtle changes in focus. It means highlighting areas where incremental improvement can lead to big payoffs, and using what you’re already doing …

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  • June 21, 2021 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    RPA Bots Perform Tasks, But Will They Take Your Job?

    Bot capabilities are constantly evolving, and it’s unclear what the future holds

    Anybody who has worked in an administrative role can attest that certain types of office work are dull or tedious. Filling out standard forms, data extraction, and processing simple data can certainly be unstimulating. These are also fairly standardized activities, …

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  • May 20, 2021 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Management Interviews: What to Expect and How to Spot Red Flags

    Emphasize your past successes while ensuring the project matches your skills

    One of the interesting aspects of searching for project management positions in today’s employment market is that sometimes you’re not really being interviewed for a project manager position. Project management might be the title proposed, but the role might diverge …

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  • April 17, 2021 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Reaching Agreement in Client-Consultant Relationships

    These 13 questions will help you navigate difficulties and disagreements 

    Clients and consultants sometimes encounter difficulties when they don’t share a common understanding of how to improve a situation. They may not have a clear handle on the goals. The client might have a better understanding of their business than …

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  • March 19, 2021 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    Are You a Project Manager?

    the definition of Project Management is not clear to everyone         

    The term “project management” has become a buzzword. And like any buzzword, it’s thrown around freely without much common understanding of what it really is. As a result, people who aren’t actually doing project management are given that label, and …

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  • February 28, 2021 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Artificial Intelligence and Business Management: A Growing Partnership

    for now, many management decisions are too complex for AI

    Discussions about the economic dangers and potentials of artificial intelligence (AI) tend to center around the ability of AI to do specific, clearly-defined tasks quickly and well. This is of great concern to employees whose jobs solely revolve around doing …

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  • January 22, 2021 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Finding Project Management Jobs When There Aren’t So Many

    Gaining experience is more important than your job title

    In today’s rapidly fluctuating work environment, opportunities for project management positions may be fewer, but they’re still there. Indeed, capable leaders who can step in and adapt despite the unpredictability are sorely needed. You can build a career even in …

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  • December 29, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Artificial Intelligence Takes Jobs—And Adds Them Too

    There is hope for the future of automation

    Americans tend to believe that technology will save us from everything. That holds for most things except automation, which many fear will lead to economic catastrophe or widespread job loss. A 2013 Oxford Study showing that nearly half of US …

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  • November 23, 2020 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Building Project Management Experience in a Down Market      

    How to find opportunity when the job market is unpredictable   

    This is a down market. Jobs are hard to come by, competition is fierce, and even while some jobs are opening up again, there are far fewer than before the slump. So how do you keep your focus and build …

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  • November 8, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Are Gig Workers Employees or Contractors?

    our models of employment don’t work like they used to

    In the decades before the gig worker boom, labor law concerned itself almost exclusively with people working either as employees or independent contractors. Those categories define how workers are regulated, taxed, what protections apply to them and the products of …

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  • October 21, 2020 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    14 Questions Consultants Ask to Improve Client Relations

    It’s all about communication

    Consultants work with their clients to provide advice and support. Whether it’s just a short-term project or a consulting engagement lasting over many years, the best consultants know how to add value to the client relationship. They understand that the …

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  • September 22, 2020 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    Preparing for Project Initiation

    Questions to ask when starting a project

    Because projects address situations not faced before, or strive to deliver results under circumstances not experienced before, there will always be unknowns. Planning can occur in the face of unknowns, but the more you know, the better your plan can …

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  • August 13, 2020 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    13 Strategies Consultants Use to Guide Change

    Change can be difficult. Here are ways to make it happen.   

    One of the challenges of being a consultant is helping your client make needed or desired changes. Consultants can identify the required change, but they don’t have direct control over its implementation. They need to work with their clients as …

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  • July 30, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Retraining the Workforce for Tomorrow’s Jobs

    It's time to build job skills for the future

    We’ve all heard how automation and artificial intelligence are going to replace human beings in the workplace, leave millions unemployed, many jobs entirely in the hands of robots, and fundamentally change the workplace forever. Many people are already aware that …

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  • July 15, 2020 | Insights | Steven Lesser

    On Being a Consultant

    Thoughts on how to become a valued consultant

    Many people have chosen the path of being a consultant. Businesses hire internal or external consultants to help them achieve their goals. But sometimes it’s not clear if being a consultant is “a good thing or a bad thing.” Not …

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  • June 9, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Why Remote Work is Here to Stay

    We won't all go back to the office once this is over

    COVID-19 has shaken the world to its core. There is no doubt that the world after the pandemic subsides will be markedly different from the world before it. One aspect of our lives that has already changed and will never …

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  • May 21, 2020 | Insights | Amanda Finn

    Embracing Adaptation During Challenging Times

    Flexibility is key in a changing work environment

    From mom and pop shops to major corporations, businesses are dealing with the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. More than half of Americans are now working from home whereas less than 25 percent worked from home, even occasionally, …

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  • May 13, 2020 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Managing Risk in Your SME

    You’re never too small to be at risk

    Many people think that risk management is only relevant to major organizations with big budgets who run mega-projects or who work in a regulated or safety-critical industry sector. Those of us who own or manage a small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) might …

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  • May 4, 2020 | Knowledge | Steven Lesser

    Making the Most of Virtual Meetings

    Ideas for making your next online meeting more effective

    The topic of “meetings” is one that usually elicits groans, that then lead to lots of bad, cringe-worthy meeting stories, with rarely good outcomes. As we know, meetings don’t always require physical attendance. The COVID-19 pandemic social distancing has found …

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  • April 16, 2020 | Insights | Amanda Finn

    Creativity in the Workplace and Why it Matters

    This job skill is increasing in importance

    Employees crave challenges. Freelancers crave breadth. Companies crave attention.  In all three scenarios the common, simplest answer, is creativity. Creativity can help workers stay interested and focused on the job. In a 2018 Udemy study 54% of surveyed employees indicated that …

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  • April 1, 2020 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Management and Coronavirus

    Project management helps address the unexpected

    Many people have heard a lot about project management but do not really know how it works. A very effective example of project management in action is visible in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s live address on March 24 on how New …

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  • March 12, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    The State of the Gig Economy

    The changing gig landscape includes new regulations

    There are many reasons why people choose to work in the gig economy. In a 2018 study by Gianpiero Petriglieri, Susan Ashford, and Amy Wrzesniewski, the people interviewed valued the independence that came with being an independent contractor working gigs …

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  • March 1, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    Automation and the Meaning of Work

    Artificial intelligence will change how we think about work

    The automation of work promised by artificial intelligence is often seen as a source of great potential for the handful of people who stand to profit from it, including those who will own the machines that replace people, and a …

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  • February 19, 2020 | Knowledge | Amanda Finn

    4 Ways Freelancers Can Find New Work

    Smart strategies to find opportunities, outside of gig sites

    The toughest part of freelancing is, arguably, finding new work. When it comes to paying the bills, freelancers know the hustle life better than most, but gig sites aren’t always the answer. Especially now that places like Upwork cost freelancers money without …

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  • January 23, 2020 | Insights | Scotty Hendricks

    AI and its Impact on the Workforce

    automation and what it can mean for workers

    Discussions of how artificial intelligence will impact the workforce often focus on the potential for mass unemployment, the increases in productivity, and the ways in which dull, menial tasks can be shirked off to computers. We consider less often the …

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  • January 8, 2020 | Knowledge | Amanda Finn

    4 Tips for finding Freelance Work on Gig Sites

    Advice from gig sites on landing opportunities

    When it comes to applying for jobs on Upwork or similar gig sites, sometimes it feels like throwing your resume into the wind. Is anyone even going to see it? What makes me different from the other 1000+ freelancers who …

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  • December 19, 2019 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    10 Ways Project Managers Can Address Stakeholder Expectations

    These strategies will help you bring out and understand stakeholder needs

    Stakeholders all have expectations, whether they’re expressed or subconscious. For project managers, understanding these expectations throughout the course of a project can help create a successful project conclusion. While meeting every expectation from each stakeholder is impossible, identifying what people …

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  • December 15, 2019 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    Preparing for a Fast-Growth Project

    Three early planning phases and their unique challenges

    Any project manager knows that projects vary significantly: some last for years, with multiple phases, while others are sporadic, with periodic breaks that free staff and management to work on other initiatives. Some are important. Others are urgent. Some are …

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  • December 11, 2019 | Knowledge | Amanda Finn

    4 Ways to Best Utilize Time in a Slow Season

    Take advantage of that extra time to build up or maintain your business

    Whether the slow season in your business is the holidays or mid-year, there is often a slow season in every business sector. Days that aren’t full of meetings, projects, and other time-sensitive work can be the perfect time to get things …

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  • November 18, 2019 | Interviews

    Sarah Kessler on the Gig Economy’s Pitfalls and Complexities

    Gig work offers flexibility, but the bigger story might be what it’s missing

    There was a time not so long ago when gig work was seen as a panacea for the various perceived faults of the old-fashioned world of work. Where the traditional job was weighed down by a long, rigid work week, …

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  • November 7, 2019 | Knowledge | Amanda Finn

    8 Reasons Why Creativity Will Boost Your Gig Work

    Being creative can help you get and keep gig opportunities

    In a gig economy it can feel impossible to differentiate yourself from your gig competitors when pitching for a job. Whether it’s a mundane task you’ve done a thousand times or something you’re trying for the very first time, gig …

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  • October 3, 2019 | Insights | Dr. David Hillson

    Capturing Opportunities – Are You Ready?

    How to optimize success for your projects and business

    A few months ago, my wife and I were on a sunrise game drive in South Africa. None of the animals seemed to be awake yet, and all was quiet. I sat on the edge of the vehicle, my camera …

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  • August 21, 2019 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    Independent Consulting: Is the Gig Economy for you?

    6 questions would-be solopreneurs must ask themselves

    Recent business trends have made it possible to start independent work more easily, and with more possibilities, than ever before. There is strong support in the business world for hiring expertise on an as-needed basis, and as a result, the …

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  • July 10, 2019 | Interviews

    Ellen Ruppel Shell on Jobs and Work in the Twenty-First Century

    A deep dive into the future of work with The Atlantic correspondent Ellen Ruppel Shell

    We’ve all been hearing a lot lately about the economy: unemployment is near a record low, the stock market is at a record high, and job creation numbers have been relatively steady. Yet behind these reassuring numbers lurks a troubling …

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  • June 19, 2019 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Risk Management: Past and Future

    How we got here, and where we might be going

    Everyone agrees that the world is risky and that risk management is important. But where did risk management come from, and where is it going? When and how did we learn that managing risk was an essential life skill? And …

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  • May 22, 2019 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Business Negotiations and the Element of Surprise

    6 tips for successfully managing surprise in a negotiation

    Like it or not, we are all negotiating, all the time—and at some level, all negotiations involve an assessment of the balance of power: how much do I want what the other party has to offer, and how much do …

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  • April 25, 2019 | Interviews

    Diane Mulcahy on the Gig Economy

    An interview with author Diane Mulcahy, preeminent thought leader on the gig economy

    All around us, we see that the world of work has fundamentally changed—there are more freelancers, more part-time workers, and more contractors, all while the security of traditional salaried employment has diminished. The realities of this new economy are far-reaching …

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  • April 5, 2019 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Managers Can Leverage the Power of Artificial Intelligence

    The future of work is about integrating technology—not being replaced by it

    These days, there are many dire predictions about artificial intelligence replacing human workers. News specials and magazine articles speculate that no occupation is immune, or claim that whole fields of work, such as teaching or project management, might be replaced …

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  • March 13, 2019 | Interviews

    Sophie Wade on the Future of Work

    An interview with Sophie Wade, founder at Flexcel Network and a leading authority on the Future of Work

    The Future of Work is something that everyone wants to understand, but few of us fully do. What we can all agree on is that in many ways, the “future” is already here. There are more freelancers, an increased need …

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  • February 20, 2019 | Insights | Dr. David Hillson

    Top Ten Risk Myths

    Since the dawn of time, mankind has used myths to make sense of the uncertainty that surrounds us. More recently, in the world of business and projects, risk management has performed the same role. Unfortunately, myths have also grown up …

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  • January 23, 2019 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    20 Questions Consultants Should Ask Their Clients

    These questions will clarify your client’s perspective, current situation, and future vision

    As a consultant, one of your key objectives is to fully understand your client’s situation so that you can offer advice, solutions, and support as needed. This means taking the time to not only understand your client’s current reality, but …

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  • December 19, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Client-Consultant Relationships and the Need for Control

    recognizing your client’s need for control is key to a healthy relationship

    The client-consultant relationship can be complex, with hiccups and challenges experienced by both parties along the way. One of the most common challenges faced by consultants is balancing their client’s need for control with the need for some kind of …

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  • November 28, 2018 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    The Future of Work and the Need to Adapt

    be ready to welcome change and continuously innovate

    Change has always been a part of our society and economy, but during the past several decades, the rate of change accelerated and continues to accelerate. Looking back on the past forty years alone, the changes were seismic. Companies that …

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  • November 7, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    5 Ways Consultants Help Clients Understand Their Value

    Tips for communicating the value you provide to the client relationship

    To build effective consulting relationships, consultants must understand their own value and how it supports their client’s goals. What are the experiences, insights, and skills you have that will help your client succeed? If you’re working with an established client, …

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  • October 24, 2018 | Insights | Dr. David Hillson

    Why Risk Includes Opportunity

    opportunities are important and need to be captured where possible

    Current risk management standards and guidelines use broad definitions of “risk” that encompass both threat and opportunity, but many people still find it difficult to understand why “opportunity” is included in the definition. And without understanding the reasons, there is …

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  • October 10, 2018 | Resources

    6 Must-Reads About the Gig Economy

    Recent opinions, perspectives, and research

    How important is the gig economy to the future of work? While there are conflicting views, it’s clear that the gig economy has become more important. Over the last few years, a significantly higher proportion of workers have been seeking …

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  • September 26, 2018 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Managing Both Sides of Risk: Threat and Opportunity

    Opportunities and threats are both uncertainties that matter

    The ability to manage risk effectively is recognized as an important contributor to business success, which is why it has become an essential part of the manager’s toolkit. Risk-based thinking is permeating the boardroom and discussions within executive committees as …

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  • September 12, 2018 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Management and Team Happiness

    End products are important, but so is your team’s health and happiness

    Business projects are seldom discussed from the point of view of the “happiness” of their team members. Projects are recognized for getting things done, and projects are resourced for overall effectiveness. Sponsors, customers, and society at large look for valued …

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  • August 28, 2018 | Knowledge | Jeanette Bordelon

    Maximize Change Adoption Using Persuasion and Influence

    Project success for change initiatives can depend on the ability of the organization to adopt change

    We all need to know how to use our influence and powers of persuasion to support needed changes, whether with family, work life, or life in general. For project managers who are focused on delivering and leading change initiatives, persuasion …

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  • August 14, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Five Tips for Freelancers Expanding Their Customer Base

    It’s all about establishing value

    One of the top challenges for freelancers, consultants and entrepreneurs is finding and keeping good customers. Growing a strong customer base can help you improve profitability and achieve your business goals. To build successful client relationships that will last, you’ll …

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  • July 19, 2018 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    For Serial Entrepreneurs, Success is About Adaptability 

    the key to repeated success is an openness to learn from mistakes  

    Serial entrepreneurs repeatedly begin new companies and are willing to take on the risk of new ventures. They are often thought of as successful, but just because they have a history of startups, does that really improve their chance of …

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  • June 28, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Six Strategies Successful Businesspeople Use to Solve Problems

    Problem-solving is about embracing complexity and understanding the problem

    In business, as in life in general, problems crop up everywhere. Those who know how to think about problems proactively have an advantage, and problem-solving is arguably one of the most important skills a businessperson can learn. That’s true no …

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  • June 14, 2018 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    The Creative Process for Managing Projects

    6 surprising similarities between project management and art

    Sometimes people assume a project manager is simply an administrator who tracks the progress of a project team’s work against an established schedule. But that’s the role of a schedule administrator, not a project manager. Project management is actually, in …

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  • May 28, 2018 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    A Little Project Risk is a Good Thing

    risk shouldn't be feared if it's managed properly

    The novice project manager might be worried to learn that her project contains risk. Surely risk is “A Bad Thing,” and it would be better if her project had none? But her more experienced colleague would explain that there are …

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  • May 3, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    21 Questions: Understanding Project Stakeholder Expectations

    Asking your stakeholders the right questions is central to successful project management

    Understanding the expectations of project stakeholders is absolutely critical to successful stakeholder management. Do you know what your stakeholders expect? If not, your project may already be heading down the wrong path. In order to pinpoint stakeholder expectations, it’s important …

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  • April 4, 2018 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Civility in the Workplace is Still Important

    In the smartphone era, civility is a vital skill to model and learn

    Trend-watching is a good way to spot issues that your organization may be facing in the future. A popular topic lately is the erosion of civility, and the accompanying uptick in rudeness, in our society today. New research about the …

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  • March 22, 2018 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    New Businesses and Cash Flow: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know

    Paying attention to cash flow helps you avoid disaster

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a freelancer, being responsible for your own business is empowering and exciting. The possibilities are endless, but so are the risks, particularly financial risk. In fact, one of the main reasons that new businesses fail …

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  • March 7, 2018 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Are Project Managers Generalists or Specialists?

    Strategic thinking and technical know-how are both important

    When discussing new hires, organizations often categorize candidates as either generalists or specialists. Specialists are typically sought for technical jobs while generalists are steered toward staff or junior management roles. But more and more, with businesses in a constant state …

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  • February 15, 2018 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    What is a Risk?

    Identifying real risks is critical for effective risk management

    The purpose of risk management is obviously to manage risks. But one of the most common failings in the risk management process is for the risk identification step to identify things that are not risks. If this early stage of …

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  • January 31, 2018 | Resources

    6 Must-Reads About Leadership

    Recent opinions, perspectives, and research

    As anyone who has found themselves in a leadership role can tell you, there is no “one way” to become an effective leader. While there are truisms like “treat people with respect” or “listen and learn,” the formula that works …

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  • January 24, 2018 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Five Steps to Effective Consulting Relationships

    Successful consultants are client-focused

    The word “consultant” encompasses more professions than many people realize. If you work toward changing or improving a business situation—without having direct decision power over that situation—you’re consulting. “Consultant” might be in your job description, or it might not. Business …

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  • January 8, 2018 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Two-Faced Risk Management

    The benefits of lessons learned

    Welcome to 2018! In many languages the month January is named after Janus the two-faced Roman god of doorways, and the start of a new year is traditionally a time for review, looking back at the past 12 months and …

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  • December 6, 2017 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    Big Data Can Boost Business, But Only If We’re Asking the Right Questions

    Mining the data is about strategy and curiosity 

    Businesses thrive on data. Data helps them create new strategies to increase revenue and improve efficiency. Companies use data to predict who will buy, how to get products delivered cost-effectively, how to anticipate and plan for risk, and which strategies …

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  • November 9, 2017 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Leadership in Project Management Isn’t What You Think

    The skills that define leadership often arise organically, not by force

    When it comes to projects, we are often comfortable with identifying ourselves as executives or managers, but few of us describe ourselves as “leaders.” Others may put us into that category, but why are we hesitant to place ourselves under …

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  • October 19, 2017 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Optimize Project Performance using Risk-Based Stakeholder Analysis

    Are your stakeholders advocates, hindrances, or something in-between?

    Most project managers understand that stakeholders possess and exercise various forms of power in the context of a project. The position adopted by stakeholders is likely to have a significant effect on whether or not a project succeeds, and stakeholders …

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  • October 8, 2017 | Resources

    6 Must-Reads About The Future of Work

    Recent opinions, perspectives and research

    The future of work is here, and it is also emerging before our eyes. Companies are adopting technologies that automate routine tasks (think chatbots, for example), and they are increasing the use of artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and related tech …

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  • October 3, 2017 | Interviews

    Esther Choy on Storytelling for Business Success

    There are techniques to storytelling, and businesspeople can learn them

    Everyone loves a great story. Stories help us to connect with others more effectively, whether one-on-one or in a group. This is as true in the business context as anywhere else. But what, precisely, makes for a great story, and …

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  • September 21, 2017 | Knowledge | Dr. David Hillson

    Ten Things Every Business Needs To Know

    Risk and uncertainty are a part of business. Here’s how to face them head-on.

    Everyone knows that “business hates uncertainty.” Uncertainty poses clear threats to business, but it also contains significant opportunities. Sources of uncertainty must be understood so that these threats and opportunities can be effectively managed, allowing us to avoid and minimize …

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  • September 14, 2017 | Insights | Barbara A. Trautlein

    The Future of Work is Here, and Leaders Must Be Change Intelligent®

    These three capabilities are key for success in the new world of work

    Contemplating “the future of work” is both exciting and daunting. Now and in the future, compared to our parents, we have a vast array of choices over how we work, where we work, when we work, and with whom we …

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  • August 28, 2017 | Insights | Dr. David Hillson

    Business Uncertainty: Threat or Opportunity?

    When done right, risk management is a critical factor in business success

    Plato is quoted as saying that “The problem with the future is that more things might happen than will happen.” Or as Pliny said, “The only certainty is that there is nothing certain.” Nowhere is this more evident than in …

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  • August 17, 2017 | Knowledge | Helen S. Cooke

    The Importance of Risk Management Plans in Project Management 

    Project managers should not only have them, but update them continually

    Assessing risk is an important part of a well-managed project, and project managers and team members should have a risk management plan in place from the project’s outset. Projects, in and of themselves, are risky endeavors because the project often addresses a critical need, resolves an existing …

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  • July 10, 2017 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Managers Must Also Be Risk Managers 

    Ability to assess risk can improve project management outcomes 

    Some people seek out risk while others avoid it. Likewise, some organizations tolerate risk while other organizations minimize it. Whatever one’s particular strategy, we all face risk in our personal and work lives on a daily basis, and how we react to risk distinguishes those who are effective project managers from those who are less effective. In …

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  • June 6, 2017 | Interviews

    David J.P. Fisher on Hyper-Connected Selling & Sales Skills of the Future

    According to Fisher, sales has changed, and we need to keep up 

    The internet has fundamentally changed the role of today’s salesperson, and this is a reality that can’t be ignored. In a world where consumers can purchase anything from diapers to high-end jewelry with a simple click of the mouse, the contemporary salesperson must …

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  • May 17, 2017 | Insights | Helen S. Cooke

    Project Managers Should Value Honesty Over Loyalty in Team Members

    It’s about results, not lip service

    There has been a lot of talk in the news lately — especially in the political arena — about picking leaders based on loyalty. It seems that sometimes, loyalty even takes the lead over ability and expertise. But then, that’s …

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  • May 4, 2017 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    Building More Trust in Today’s Business Landscape

    Leadership, business, and the need for trust

    A leader seeking success needs to be trusted. In study after study, research on leadership lists trust as a top trait, and studies have shown that when trust in a leader increases, productivity goes up and costs go down. As …

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  • April 19, 2017 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Three Questions To Help Solve Your Business Problems

    Begin by thinking creatively about the problem

    When you’re faced with a problem in day-to-day business life, what is your strategy for getting it resolved? All too often, business professionals make problems more difficult by jumping to conclusions and implementing “solutions” before the problem is fully understood. …

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  • March 29, 2017 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    What Fake News Teaches Us About Project Management

    Critical thinking pitfalls allow us to easily believe what’s untrue

    Fake news, it seems, is everywhere. It’s a term we didn’t know just a few years ago, but after this political season it’s become difficult to figure out what’s real and what’s not. “Pope Backs Trump,” “Hillary Sold Weapons to …

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  • March 22, 2017 | Knowledge

    Three Simple Steps Before You Negotiate

    Assess the situation to see if negotiating makes sense

    We negotiate all the time. Any time you want something that another person has, or that person wants something that you have, you’re in a potential negotiation. Should you negotiate? That depends. You’ll want to size up the situation and …

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  • March 14, 2017 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    Bots, Creativity, and the Value of Human Skillsets

    The skills that make us human will be at a premium in the new age of automation

    Today, as almost every day, I was asked by a website to prove that I’m human. You’ve probably had the same experience: in order to access a webpage, you must perform a task that only a human can do, like …

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  • March 3, 2017 | Interviews

    Warren Berger on the Power of the Question

    An interview with bestselling author Warren Berger about questions and the importance of Question Week 

    Are we asking the right questions? Can asking better questions spark innovation and creativity? How can asking better questions help us in our personal and business lives? Exploring the power of inquiry is the focus of Warren Berger’s 2014 bestselling …

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  • March 2, 2017 | Knowledge | Denise Gifford

    Four Questions Every Salesperson Should Ask About Their Customer’s Business

    Build value with your customers by understanding their business concerns

    What keeps your customer up at night? What is he or she most worried about? One of the best ways to build value with your customers is through a deep understanding of their business concerns. Too often, salespeople lead with …

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  • March 1, 2017 | Insights

    Workplace Bullying and its response

    New study shows that men and women respond differently to bullying in the workplace

    Would you know if someone was being bullied at work? It’s not always easy to tell. Many years ago, I worked as a sales rep for a boss who managed by intimidation. He publicly shamed and embarrassed his employees. He …

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  • February 22, 2017 | Insights | Denise Gifford

    It’s About Time

    The Benefits of Taking Time Out in a Hectic Work World

    In today’s society, we’re made to feel that there’s something wrong with us when we’re doing nothing. We imagine the efficient, effective person we want to be, always on top of what’s going on in our workplace and in the …

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  • February 20, 2017 | Resources

    Cybersecurity and the Consumer

    Recently, there have been a number of very large data breaches that should cause consumer concern. But it is interesting to note that consumers have been unlikely to change their online habits, even as more data breaches have been reported. …

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  • February 19, 2017 | Resources

    Why the Middle Class chooses Non-bank Alternatives

    Why do people use payday loans, or check cashing services? The reasons might be different than you think. In this podcast, author Lisa Servon, who wrote The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives, takes you into the …

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  • February 15, 2017 | Knowledge

    Tips for Better Listening

    These simple, effective techniques will improve your listening skills in no time

    One of the most important skills in communication — and in business — is the ability to listen. Listening is critical because, after all, if you can’t listen, how can you respond in any meaningful way? Listening involves not just …

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  • January 26, 2017 | Interviews

    The BPI Blueprint

    A guide for business process improvement

    InfoWorks interviewed Shelley Sweet, who is President of I4 Process and author of The BPI Blueprint.   I4 Process provides consultation, workshops and training programs based on a unique 3-PEAT method of modeling processes and analyzing data that accelerates operational …

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  • December 6, 2016 | Resources

    How Effective is that Ad?

    It’s a challenge to measure ad effectiveness of online ads.  In this podcast, researchers from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University talk about how hard it is to really measure whether a digital ad is effective, and discuss …

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  • December 3, 2016 | Resources

    The Power of Inquiry

    We can and should ask better questions.  As children, we ask lots of questions, and are naturally curious about life.  Much of that dissipates as we get older.  In his book, A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger examines how we …

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  • November 12, 2016 | Insights

    The Upside of the Downside

    Opportunities in Managing Risk

    You will find risk everywhere you look, if you look for it. Every time we get into a car, as a driver or passenger, there is the risk of an accident. Every time we burn a candle, there is a …

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  • October 31, 2016 | Knowledge

    Your Personal Energy is a Key Resource

    Tips for project managers

    Many project management professionals lead stress-filled lives, work long hours on projects and still keep home and family together using their project management skills. Most workers respond to rising demands in their workplace by working longer hours, pushing themselves to …

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  • October 20, 2016 | Insights

    Brexit and the price of Marmite

    As the pound falls, inflation pressures grow

    Recently, a new hashtag popped up on the internet: #Marmitegate. Social media users in the UK were following a news story about a potential 10% rise in the price of Marmite, which is a traditional British product: a sticky paste …

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  • October 8, 2016 | Resources

    Will the European Union Fail?

    It’s likely the European Union will disintegrate.  That’s the opinion of Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder, and The Black Swan.

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  • September 2, 2016 | Resources

    Leadership in Three Acts

    The stages of successful movements follows a similar path.   Like a story, they have a beginning, middle, and end.  Nancy Duarte and Patti Sanchez have researched how successful movements evolve.  This article in the Harvard Business Review describes the …

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  • August 7, 2016 | Resources

    Entrepreneurship, Step by Step

    Here’s how to make sure your business has it’s best possible start. Disciplined Entrepreneurship, by Bill Aulet, is a handbook for new companies.

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  • June 4, 2016 | Knowledge

    Why Stakeholder Management is Important

    Projects revolve around stakeholders

    Projects stakeholders have an interest in the outcomes of your project. Some are more important to the life of the project, such as the sponsor, steering committee, or project team members. Others are no less important but are involved only …

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  • April 14, 2016 | Knowledge

    Plan to Manage Risk

    Why risk management must be part of your project plan

    As we said in Part 1, the first phase of managing a project is Project Initiation. Early in the project, you define the project’s product or end point in sufficient detail that you can both satisfy the customer’s view of …

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  • March 4, 2016 | Knowledge

    Managing Change and the Job Search

    Your job search is a project

    (Part 3 in a series of 3 posts on how to project manage your job search. Read Part 1 and Part 2.) What’s On Your Plate? You have a new project to manage: a job search. Don’t get out the …

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  • February 14, 2016 | Knowledge

    Use Projects to Launch High Quality Global Products (part 2)

    Focus on cost efficiency

    Now that your project is well scoped (in part 1), and you can define success, it’s time to consider cost efficiency and the timing for major expenses. It’s important to remember that shaping quality at the beginning of a project …

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  • January 24, 2016 | Knowledge

    Use Projects to Launch High Quality Global Products

    Use Project Management to Deliver Quality

    You’ve started a new project. Your objective is to successfully create and internationally launch a new high-quality product for your company. But, you’re stuck, because you are not sure you know how to ensure success across countries or how to …

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  • January 20, 2016 | Knowledge

    Initiating Your Job Search Project

    How to begin your job search

    (Part 2 in a series of 3 posts on how to project manage your job search. Read Part 1 here.) Once you have decided to treat your job search as a project, you have begun “Project Initiation.” The things you …

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  • January 18, 2016 | Knowledge

    Project Managing Your Job Search

    How to project manage a successful job change

    Your job search is a project; how to use project management skills to help find a new job.

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  • October 13, 2015 | Knowledge

    Gathering Project Information

    Plan ahead to get the most out of project resources

    by Denise Gifford   One of the most common mistakes a new project manager can make is to request more information than is needed to run the project. Information is an important resource, but it is not free. Completing forms …

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  • April 15, 2015 | Knowledge

    Negotiating and the Rock Bottom

    It pays to know your bottom line

    by Steven Lesser   Negotiators often have a position that is their rock bottom, their least acceptable deal. Sometimes negotiators communicate this as a take-it-or-leave-it. Some negotiators use the take-it-or-leave-it even when they are not at their minimum deal. When …

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  • February 12, 2015 | Knowledge

    Focus on Listening

    Why you need to commit to listen

    How are your listening skills? We all know it’s important to pay attention. But most of us, including me, lose focus from time to time. Why don’t we listen? “I am distracted.” “I don’t like the person.” “They don’t communicate …

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  • July 24, 2014 | Knowledge

    Stakeholder Clues

    How to tune in to non-verbal communication

    by Denise Gifford   Do you know what your stakeholders really think about your project? You’ve read their emails. You’ve met with them. You’ve provided reports and solicited feedback. But what are they really thinking? Are they happy with where …

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  • February 23, 2014 | Knowledge

    Stakeholder Communication

    Four key steps for project managers

    Stakeholder communication matters. What makes a project manager a good communicator?  It is not as simple as sharing everything with everyone in a project. In our efforts to keep stakeholders informed, project managers typically communicate too much to too many …

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  • December 17, 2012 | Knowledge

    Don’t Ignore Business Risks

    Recognize business risk when you see it

    Generally, if you are in business, big or small, you face risks. These may be reflected in the day-to-day management of the business or in a specific project, for example. Business risk is largely under the control of management of …

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  • December 12, 2012 | Knowledge

    A "blank check" for process improvement

    A strategy to deliver solutions

    Let’s face it, we are all comfortable in our routines and practices. We are resistant to change. Yet we complain bitterly when another process or procedure we regard as “inadequate” slows us down. When we consider ways to improve things, …

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  • November 28, 2012 | Knowledge

    Managing Change

    Managing change: the keys to success

    by Steven Lesser Change is a constant element in both our personal and business lives.  Rarely do situations remain static, particularly in the ever-changing technological society in which we live.  Since we cannot escape change, the question is, “How can we …

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  • November 7, 2012 | Knowledge

    Effective meetings

    Improve meetings by focusing on what's important

    by Steven Lesser According to a recent Strategy + Business article, the risk of being “switched on” continually and the benefits of “shutting down” from time to time are important considerations for managers. Effective managers and leaders learn to differentiate between …

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  • October 24, 2012 | Knowledge

    What’s the Big Problem?

    Take time to really understand the issues

    “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.”  – Groucho Marx As we move closer to this year’s U.S. Presidential election, we are hearing about a lot of issues, …

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  • October 14, 2012 | Knowledge

    Introverted versus Extroverted Leadership

    There's no "right" leadership personality

    With the U.S. elections coming in November and the start of the pre-election debates, there is currently a lot of “noise” about what constitutes a good leader, a comparison of leadership styles of the two presidential nominees, Barack Obama and …

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  • September 18, 2012 | Knowledge

    Tips for Relationship Selling

    Building trust will transform your client relationships

    Relationship selling is dead, or so contends author Matthew Dixon in his book The Challenger Sale. I think Dixon’s report of the death of relationship selling is an exaggeration. Let’s say relationship selling is evolving. Dixon advocates “challenge selling” over …

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