Archives for April 2016

3 Must Know Tips from Project Manager Experts

April 28, 2016 by Mike McRitchie Leave a Comment

Guest Post by: Bryan Phelps (Workfront.com)

Project managers are a valuable asset to business to keep things running smoothly. Today, the role of project manager has grown to encompass many hats. To be successful, project managers must develop various skill sets, including leadership, cheerleader, and the ability to work well in a high-pressure environment.

Whether you’re seasoned project manager or just starting out, here are 3 important skills to help you succeed:

1. Effective communication. Things will change throughout a project. Help keep everything on track and the project moving forward by taking time to practice effective communication. As project manager, it is your responsibility to ensure all the communication lines between clients, shareholders, executives, managers, and your team are open and everyone is on the same page.

2. Build relationships with your team. Even after the project is over, take time to maintain a working relationship with your team. Set up a lunch, happy hour, coffee date or something else to talk about how things went and what kind of challenges they ran into. Was there something you could have done better to help them?

3. Don’t lose your cool. In the world of project management, things can come up and leave you feeling overwhelmed. Take a breath and don’t lose your cool because people will question if you’re cut out to be a project manager. Remember, not everything needs to be fixed right now and your team may need a sounding board with someone they trust.

When it comes to project management, there are various approaches to being successful. Learn more about what you can do to be successful by checking out Workfront’s article, How To Be a Project Manager: 81 Tips from PM Experts.

Bryan is right on about how to walk that fine line between pushing the project and not pushing away your team members. At times Project Management can seem like a blood sport. Be careful not to implode your team in the process. Here are 5 Keys to Successful Project Management that dovetail into what Bryan discusses.

If you are in the wireless telecom realm, you probably know more than others how challenging it can be. I especially like these tips from the 81 Tips article.

#8 – Set Clear Action Items
#11 – Be Transparent
#29 – Show Gratitude
#48 – Share Why the Due Date is the Due Date
#51 – Pay Close Attention to Detail

And sometimes you get at wits end and need a change. If that is you, let me know how I can help.

Prince and iFLY – How Joy and Collaboration Create Success

April 23, 2016 by Mike McRitchie Leave a Comment

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y[/youtube]

Although Prince’s passing a few days ago brings a sadness, his body of work is an incredible testament to how joy and collaboration can create beautiful music.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame video of his collaboration with Tom Petty and others, and the joy that just makes you smile and keeps you spellbound, is ample evidence – as is what those who’ve seen him live in concert can attest to. I’ve seen the responses from friends on Facebook whose lives have been impacted by his contribution to the soundtrack of their lives.

In a similar vein, a week ago I experienced a business that demonstrates how joy and collaboration combine in a great business model.

At iFLY you get to experience skydiving indoors in a safe and fun environment. Here’s me in the flight chamber…

[youtube]https://youtu.be/7r9HLabS2DI[/youtube]

What was really cool is that the environment is set up as a really fun, iconic experience. And a lot of what makes it that way is the instructors. They have really great instructors who you can tell really love their jobs.

I even talked to one as I was leaving and he shared that he liked it so much himself that he took a job there so he could enjoy it that much more.

And part of what makes it fun for them and for the participants is that in addition to helping a group skydive for the first time, the instructors also get the opportunity to do their own freestyle show at the end of each group’s session. It is fun for everyone to watch and the instructors get to do something other than plod along day in and day out with newbies. They get their adrenaline fix too several times a day.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpDd–VubQQ[/youtube]

And that then brings me to my own experience the last couple days with a company regional management session.

The goal was collaboration to improve results and provide best practices across the various markets. It is kind of funny how the work functions that are not all about work often get the best results.

After the first day’s meetings were completed we had an offsite dinner as a group. That is where you really get to know people and work and non-work related ideas and stories just pop up randomly. And from that random discussion, future collaborations and business growth and alignment opportunities spring forth.

Hanging out with Nick, Holly, Katie and Ryan was awesome. And it was fun and collaborative that then spilled over into the next day’s session.

Thank you guys for a great couple of days.

So as you look at your work life, home life, or play life, what are you doing to get the most from your days and nights? Are you bringing joy to the party? Are you being open, contributing, and collaborating with others? If you are, like Prince and iFLY, you will bring out your best talents, contribute more, and just have more fun.

Now get out there an enjoy!

Do You Believe Like Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors?

April 13, 2016 by Mike McRitchie 1 Comment

Win #73 – the new NBA Single Season Win Record!

What is it that makes this so special? Is it that they set the record in the final game of the season to pass the Chicago Bulls’ record?

Is it that the game is at home?

Is it that the team is just so likeable?

Is it that it is a West Coast team that isn’t L.A.?

A team that is the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Having been to several Warriors games watching Jordan, Magic, Kareem, etc. play and the years when the Warriors sucked badly, it is fun to see them win and win big. And break all kinds of records along the way.

It is kind of how I felt when the Oakland Raiders had their winning ways winning Superbowls.

A little East Bay pride.

So besides the obvious excitement that comes with this big win for East Bay and Bay Area fans, what else can we learn?

We certainly there are a couple big takeaways I see.

#1 – Teamwork Wins

We’ve seen this time and again. The Warriors have a deep bench and a ton of players who can all step into the mix and perform. And they all work well together.

Why?

Because they are all pulling toward a common goal. They don’t deviate. They don’t let petty squabbles get in the way of their mission. They win as a team.

#2 – Nice People Can Finish First

The are just nice. They don’t have egos out of proportion with the roles they play. Yes, they do have egos but being a professional athlete at the top of their game has to have some kind of ego to perform night in and night out.

What it really is though is confidence in their ability to deliver. And that confidence results in personas that are comfortable within themselves and aren’t intimidated by others. So they don’t have to prove they are better by putting others down. They just perform and let their game show off.

#3 – They Don’t Get Complacent

At this stage of the season it would be easy to coast. To put in the 2nd team to just get to the playoffs. But winning #73 isn’t something that anyone has done. And to pass the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan era and gain bragging rights, that is something they find too hard to pass up.

So you find all the team members giving it their all game in and game out.

That is why you see them come back from down multiple double digits to win games with half court three pointers at the buzzer. Steph Curry’s bread and butter.

#4 – The Bay Area IS A Good Place For Pro Sports

With championships by the A’s, Giants, Raiders and 49ers, and now the Warriors, it is a great place to be from – despite the fact that the East Coast often ignores the West Coast.

They may think we’re too laid back or too nice or too far away from what the East Coast thinks matters (the Beltway is their center of the Universe). But that can be deceptive as the West Coast overcomes all that and still wins.

So whether it is your business, your career, or you’re just basking in the glory of another monumental sports milestone being created out of our corner of the world, take these to heart…and prosper!