ProjectConnections

NEW - Webinar: Trying Out Agile One Project at a Time

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:40:50 -0700

You can try Agile without changing the entire company. This session with Kent McDonald, co-author of Stand Back and Deliver, shows you how to experience success with Agile methods by trying them out carefully—one project at a time.

This live webinar will be held on September 23. Limited seats are available, so register now to guarantee your place!

Featured Template: Speaking Up – How to Make Your Case

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:41:46 -0700

You may have heard that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, but that kind of thinking can send a project seriously off the rails. If your grand idea has unfortunate side effects, wouldn't you rather know before you go skipping down the yellow brick road? And if it really is a perfect idea, you'll have much less resistance if everyone supports it. You're far better off getting everyone on the same page. Speaking up can be intimidating, but the advice and model in this guideline make it just a little easier, and should make you more effective at selling the idea. This Premium resource is free to registered Members until September 16, 2010!

Featured Article: Counting to Ten by Carl Pritchard

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:42:12 -0700

Coming back from vacation, you would think that we'd suddenly all be far more accommodating, understanding and relaxed. Strangely enough, I seem to note that the folks that I'm dealing with seem more pressured and stressed than they did before they took off on holiday. Here are ten simple suggestions on how to either be or appear less frustrated the next time someone pushes you near the edge of frustration.

Webinar: It's So NOT About Authority: Critical Influence Skills for PMs

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:43:03 -0700

This recording of our June 23 webinar—now available for just $39.95—explains how to identify your current influence shortfalls and do something about them fast. The art of genuine, well-meaning influence can be unexpectedly fun and liberating for people in the challenging role of project manager, no matter what your actual title is or where you are in the organizational chart. In the end, it's so NOT about authority!

Free How-To Course for Premium Subscribers!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:43:54 -0700

Deciding How to Respond to Risks
This course by Carl Pritchard of Pritchard Management Associates explains how you can make smart risk decisions for your project, and get the execs on your side. Carl illustrates the different risk strategies you can employ on your projects and recommends ways to select the best approaches for your situation. Then he shows how you can present alternatives to management based on a thorough assessment of the risks so they can make an informed choice. PDU credit available for paid Premium subscribers (exercise required).

NEW - Book Review: Fierce Conversations

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:44:40 -0700

Tough problems will never get solved if the parties involved can't even face and discuss what's really going on. How we communicate with others has everything to do with the influence (or lack thereof) we achieve in those situations.

Read our review of Susan Scott's Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time