Good Reads

Mar 27, 2012 | 0 comments |

This month I have found some really interesting articles while continuing my daily readings and here are some links. Have a great week everyone!

Why working more than 40 hours is worthless (don’t forget to see the ongoing debate in the comments section) 
Why Top Talent leaves?
How the mind really works?
Want to be a better leader? 
How busy are you?

Here’s some update on the blog- The regular blog visitors, you might have noticed some sponsor banners in the site. I let go most of the ad requests unless I myself find them useful. The goal is to try to make the site as independent as possible, so a few bucks through affiliations allow me to keep this going.

Thank you, if you have clicked on the sponsor links!

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Beyond the Boys Club- Book Review

I came across this book review here and decided that I should read the book- so I bought it.

It had a waiting period of 10-15 days to import the book from US and then deliver- it was worth the wait and every single bit of the money!

This 292 pages book is a must read if you are a woman working in an organization which has a considerable percentage of men involved.

It lets you in to the secrets and science of being noticed, taking on more responsibility and being promoted. Suzanne Doyle Morris, the author interviews professionals and talks about steps taken by them to be noticed and be considered as part of the all male teams.

With this book you will actually learn and it’s a keeper .

Throughout the 14 chapters of the book she helps women see themselves in ways we have never thought about- the way women are perceived by men, how the body language, smaller things in workplace affect your image. She educates on things to change, things to act on, to do on what will make a favourable impression where you have a sponsor and an advocate for you.

It’s an amazing book and the one book which I think that will change your life and will be used over and over again.

Who should read this Book?
  • Women Starting Out- Why wait, when you can read this book and be aware from the beginning on how to manoeuvre your way through professional success.  
  • Women In the Profession- Ever felt being sidetracked when you are spending 14 hours a day head down working and producing incredible results? Not getting the right project, the right promotion, the raise? This book is for you.
  • No matter what I do; it never works out (for women)- The book reveals perceptions that are working against us ad how we can change them. The do’s and the don’ts of survival and making an impact.
  • Men in the Profession- Not all actions are deliberate, this book will allow you to see the point of view of women working with you. An in-depth study, this might be the one book that allows you or your team to understand and create ways to encourage and promote women in your team.
Why should you read this book?
  • If you have been frustrated by your career track and umpteen hours at your desk hasn’t produced any favorable results.
  • Has goals to grow and wants to know how to work the system.
  • If you are a women and a minority in your organization, this is a must read. Even if you have never felt out of th loop and get along well and are happy with your job, this might be life changing for you.
What’s the price and where can I find it?
Who is the author?
You can find all about the author here and this is her Linkedin profile.

If you want a short video to see her talk about the book click here

You can also watch her interview in the video below:



To read her interview about her new book Female Breadwinners here 

PMOT March

Mar 15, 2012 | 0 comments |

#PMOT  updates for March:

The PMO Leader of the Year Award – This will be presented to the PMO Leader, nominated by their PMO team, who shows the most excellent leadership and understanding of what a PMO can deliver to a business.

Timescales All entries should be received by Gower by 31st March 2012. The shortlist for the ‘PMO Leader of the Year (2012)’ will be announced on 31st May 2012. The winner of ‘PMO Leader of the Year (2012)’ will be announced on 29th June 2012.

Please send your entries by post or email to: Melisa Young, Gower Publishing, Wey Court East, Union Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7PT, UK
E-mail: MYoung@Gowerpublishing.com Telephone: +44(0)1252 736600

How to enter If you would like to nominate your PMO leader as PMO Leader of the Year, then please write in no more than a total of 1,000 words:

Why you think he or she deserves this award and how they fulfill the judging criteria we have identified above.

Please make sure that you seek the approval of the PMO leader before submitting his or her name.

Include the following information with your entry:

1.Your contact details: name, role, organization, address, telephone and e-mail, along with the contact details for your PMO leader;
2.An indication of the size of your PMO (number of full time or part time members); the date it was set up as well as for how long your chosen nominee has been leading the PMO.
3.You may, if you wish, include endorsements or comments from members of of the PMO or others inside (or outside) the organization, who have worked with your PMO and its leader.

A panel of independent judges will review all submissions to consider how each nominee has led their PMO over at least the last 12 months and how they plan to grow the PMO under their stewardship in the coming months. The judges will look at the key PMO leadership skills in the areas of:

•Flexibility- How effectively does your PMO leader respond to the changing needs of the projects, your PMO and your organization? How does he or she manage the balance between the requirements of project processes and the people delivering those processes?
•Resilience- How effective is your PMO leader as a negotiator? How well does he or she negotiate changes to how things are done whilst maintaining the core objectives of the PMO? How well does he or she enable the PMO to respond to unexpected requests for resources or support?
•Setting Example- How successful is your PMO leader is an example to everyone within the PMO and the project organization? How well does he or she express or demonstrate the standards of the PMO and champion these in the face of misunderstanding, conflicting interests or politics. How good an example is your PMO leader as an agent of change?
•Professionalism- How professional is your PMO leader is his or her approach to their work. How does the PMO leader demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and understanding of, for example, the commercial needs and constraints of the business or the technical aspects of project and programme management? What commitment does the PMO leader demonstrate to developing skills and a capability for themselves, the PMO members and the wider organization?
•Support- How well does your PMO leader communicate with everyone within the PMO; to establish and articulate needs; support the team or individuals within at times of pressure or conflict?

Congratulations to Educocity (Interviewed the co-founder last month)- It has been shortlisted for the prestigious Social New Venture Challenge 2012 by University of Chicago Booth School of Business!

Happy Women's Day

Mar 8, 2012 | 0 comments |
I hope today is the day you realize how strong you are, today you have the courage to stand up and speak in the meeting, Today you can look up and say and you want a better project, ask for a raise or stop comparing yourself  and be proud of your career.

If you have been thinking about starting your blog- let it be today. Start your certification prep or decide on your next move, plan it well, keep someone for accountability sake and don't look back.

Just do it. Don't turn your decision today as another new years resolution.

Happy Women's Day!!!

I'm honoring the day by keeping myself in a happy space. I went for this dance recital the other day in honor of today ( See the Women's March partial banner in pink) that was dedicated to Rukmini Devi Arundale.


Book Review- Project Management in Real World (E Harrin)


Published by BCS, this 203 paged book is a perfect read by newbies as well as project managers.

Divided into 5 sections and including topics like “Managing Budgets” to “Managing Yourself”, the book encompasses every topic that a project manager has to handle on a regular basis to fulfil their role as a project manager.

Sprinkled all over with real life examples, the author drives home every single point with graphics, illustrations, simple narrative without many of the tongue twisting jargons. Heady and compact with information this is not a one day reading. You will find yourself bookmarking the pages for reference later.

Every chapter begins with the definition, an example followed with Golden Rules and Hint for easy reading and reference. The example doesn’t necessarily always stick to IT, it goes back and forth in all domains from media to wedding planning to offshore projects and ways to provide incentives to your team.

This book is a fantastic read for everyone who wants to attempt their hands in project management or is in the domain ( to get a different perspective). In fact the book starts with a Glossary and is a great way to learn concepts and the reality of project management if you have seen projects happening from the outer circle or is planning certifications for the near future.

Who should read this Book?
  • Newbies- Anyone interested in project management, this is a perfect read to step into the realities of project management. Book offers a detailed narrative on what happens in your dream job role.
  • Project Management Students- Great examples that you can relate to the theories or the PMBOK chapters. The book displays how the formulas, theories and expertise keep the projects running in reality.
  • Just Promoted New Managers-Great read to know how to manage teams, find solutions to complex problems and accounting, how much risk to take, how to get your team together.
  • Ambitious Professionals- Anyone from any domain and position (job title) looking forward to impress your bosses and finding ways to make yourself stand apart and get more responsibility.


Why should you read this book?
  • Real life examples those are easier to relate to than theories in the PMBOK.
  • Examples from all domains, so everyone can relate to it and find ways how you can use project management in your everyday job or your field. You don’t have to be in IT to implement project management techniques.  You also don’t need to know all chapters of the PMBOK to understand this, however if you have read the PMBOK this book might turn to be  a great guide to see how all those theories really are implemented in reality.  
  • Expert comments on their insights and mistakes and how they handled it.
  • From Peer Reviews to finding a mentor; the author covers it all. It’s a one stop guide/book for all project managers.


What’s the price and where can I find it?
$41.99 at Amazon US
21.05 (pounds) in Amazon UK
325(INR) in India

Who is the author?
The author is Elizabeth Harrin, who runs the award winning blog A girls Guide to Project Management  and is currently the Head of IT Program Delivery and author of 2 books- Social Media for project Managers and Project Management in the Real World. She is also the director of Otobos Group which provides writing services to the business. You can also find her at this twitter handle @pm4girls  


Disclosure: The links provided in this review are NOT affiliate links.

Happy Sunday

Mar 4, 2012 | 1 comments |

Have a lovely Sunday.




Pic Courtesy: Pinterest

Fight it out- To achieve your goal


In all the work that spills into our busy days, we forget what our team members can expect from us. Or for that matter what you expect from your manager.

There are times works pushed down the alley because no one wants to do it, you can’t say no or linger on with the last hope that if I take this project, I will have access to the good one next time.

I hope the strategy works out for you, but sometimes in the midst of all this and the effort you put in - it doesn’t. In those trying times, try fighting it out- with yourself first.

Sometimes its so easy to convince yourself that they are right- after all they are the ones with more experience or control/authority. I think it has to do more with the imposter syndrome where we are so convinced with self- doubt that we take it for reality.

It’s a pity that so much talent is wasted because of the failure to be recognized, nurtured and sponsored . I remember being in a meeting where a new director had walked in and told us how one of his craziest decision turned out to be the most profitable. He interviewed someone for a position in one his companies before where skills didn’t match but he liked the fire he saw in the girl to make it. She needed the job, had lost her husband and the job is all she wanted. He hired her inspite of the mismatch- a gamble he took based on his intuition. And never regretted, turns out she learned the ropes and was the best employee in a year and stayed with the company.

Lesson- never assume about someone before you give them a chance.

Be sure about your goals and if you are side tracked, don’t blame others for thinking that you are not serious about it. Fight it out- for the chance you deserve with yourself, your team or your boss. Don’t allow anyone to second guess your abilities. 

When it comes to you- give someone a chance. Help them be who they are and what they want from their work. If you can’t be the mentor or give them a job or a project, at least help them find one. Refer to friends and colleagues, sources of information and allow their dreams come true.

If nothing else, its good Karma!