Steve Jobs and his brilliant Presentation Skills

Linchpin- the book

It’s a book you will read at one go and you should- an eye opener in every sense of the word.

How does it help new Project Managers?

It tells you how to avoid the “lizard brain” (your inner resistance) that takes over when in doubt, anxiety and stress. It’s the negative emotions that stops you from being the “Linchpin”.

Linchpin’s have 7 abilities:

·Delivering unique creativity

·Inspiring staff

·Possessing a unique talent

·Managing  situation of great complexity

·Providing an interface among members of the organization

·Leading customers

·Providing deep domain knowledge.

Linchpin’s lead without being told or even holding a fancy title. Sound’s familiar? A quality must for aspiring PM’s.

He gives plenty of examples- like that of Richard Branson who encountered a situation where his flight was cancelled. So instead of waiting forever he went to the airports charter desk and chartered a flight. He then borrowed a blackboard and wrote $39 for seats. He went back to the gate, sold enough tickets to cover the price and reached his destination.

He gives example of the “lizard brain” and how a simple eye contact can get someone attacked. He talks about the Rotterdam zoo where Gorilla visitors have to wear glasses like those in 3D movies.  And what the Gorilla sees painted on the outside the glasses- eyes looking sidewise. This has saved many attacks by the gorilla. Avoiding direct eye contacts doesn’t trigger the “lizard brain”.

A great book- informative and inspiring and a complete  guide to understand why we choose the easy route of being a worker and not an “artist”.

(Pic courtesy: Google images)

PMI WB Chapter

The new PMI chapter of West Bengal (India) launched this February. 

The memberships are growing as is the effort to organize new events. This Saturday (June 25) they are hosting in the heart of the Kolkata IT sector a Seminar on Agile and chance to network among professionals over tea.

A free event for PMI west Bengal member, it will cost 300 (INR) for non-members.

The discussion will be based on Leveraging Agile Practices to Improve the PMO’s Effectiveness and Using the Measurement and Analysis Techniques.

You can find them in Linkedin as well. 

Cloning Not Allowed

The way you think is always different from the way the person sitting next to you in the coffee shop. And that is precious!

Your individuality is what you bring to the table.

So, should you maintain it? Yes!

•Don’t clone yourself like the rest.

•Be present- of what you represent.

•Don’t make the world flat- initiate and lead when required. Become the Linchpin (Read Seth Godin’s book if you haven’t)

•Be comfortable in who are and the difference. Someone working with a global background will automatically work better in a multicultural work environment. It’s an advantage, don’t hide it- flaunt it.

•Trying to fit in always might not be for the best- let your individuality show. It brings the zing factor to your life!

(Pic: Google Images)

Mark your calendars

•On June 14th, ESI will host IMPACT 2011, its third annual virtual learning event. IMPACT 2011 is a 24 hour, free global event that provides attendees with access to numerous resources.Register  here (it’s free).

•PMI Educational Foundation award grants up to US$23,750 for doctoral research grants in project, program or portfolio management. Grants are available to students worldwide. 30 June is the deadline to submit a grant proposal. If you have missed it this year, get ready for the next!

•Arras People Kicks Off the APM Road Show Season with a series of Project Management Careers and Marketplace talks at the Association for Project Management (APM) Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire branch meetings.

The series starts on the 12th July 2011 with John Thorpe, Managing Director at Arras People who will be looking at the Current Project Management Marketplace.The talk will cover current salary and rate levels; current demands in training and qualifications from organizations looking for project management talent; and key information from the Project Management Benchmark Report which covers the market in 2011.

On 21st September and 5th October where Dr Michael Hides and Lindsay Scott, respectively, will be talking about current topical areas in project management careers development and the marketplace.

•APM Conference 2011 will be held in London on 20th October 2011

•The updated exam for the Project Management Professional (PMP)®certification will be released on 31 August 2011.

(Pic: Google images)

Villanova University PMP Prep Course- Conclusion

This is the last week of Villanova University PMP Prep review.

The course has been worth the time and though I haven’t paid for the course- I would given the material and depth of the classes.

The time spent for taking the course is worthwhile and it simplifies the PMBOK and the lessons very well with definitions and examples.

I haven’t gone around taking their end of the course exam though and wish I had the time (or better planning) to get to it.

Breaking the course work into smaller chunks and including workbook like lessons at the end of each chapter are the smaller tests leading to the big one.

You can’t login into the university online portal once your course schedule is over, however you have the book, CD’s and downloads to keep for future preps and use.

This was my first online course and I don’t mind taking another again.

Thank you Villanova!

Last 3 weeks available here.

Ask

Today was a good and busy day.

I have tried my hands on creating a demo video and realized that it’s really tough. While I enjoyed the challenge and hated the retakes and editing involved, I couldn’t help but admire online trainers who do it often. It must be a lot of work to sit in front of the camera and record session after session.

None of us know it all but it never hurts to try it out.

Like the last email I received from someone who wants to get into project management and doesn’t know how to get it done. I responded like I do to most emails but his request was so well crafted, I told him I don’t mind taking Skype calls once in a while to help him out.

After all so many have helped me.

Ask- it’s never too late. 

Week 3- Additional Tools like Graded PMP Simulations

The Villanova course has been going alright so far. I’m still lagging behind but happy that the videos are of shorter duration and can be downloaded so I can move around with them.

The videos though a lot of them are not long intervals of mindless talking.

These pre-recorded sessions display  the time duration, and it helps; so you can squeeze in a few of the lectures before watching your favorite TV show or going out for your run.

Two trainers (as far as I have watched it) have been doing all the talking- Cynthia Stackpole and C. Aron.

Aron lectures on chapters involving mathematical calculation and I personally liked his style and presentation better than Stackpole’s.

Videos include definitions from the PMBOK, however the course is not an alternative of reading the PMBOK, so make sure you still read it.

So, how is it better than other online courses that are being offered on the web?

Honestly, I haven’t taken a lot of them. What I like about this online course is that, it mails you reading materials as well- for you to keep. So, even when your online access is over, you can still use the CD and study materials to prep for your PMP. That’s a nice and thoughtful touch.

Included is also a graded is a PMP and CAPM Test Simulation which is not part of the course requirement or the score doesn’t affect your final grades.

I think it takes a while to get used to the course, its navigation and utilizing the resources completely.

To read Week 1 and 2 and the Disclosure, click here.

Sheryl Sandberg, Career and Women

Week 2- It’s tailored for busy and fast moving professionals

The best feature of this course is that is tailored for fast moving people.

The course comes with options:

•You have the hard copy- the course material and the 5 CD’s.

•You can access the material via the web, so you don’t have to carry around the reading material if you don’t want to.

•Download the files in either audio or video format (in compressed file format) and you can watch it offline as well now. Or upload it in your ipod and carry around with ease.

The Course

The course is available in chapter wise like structure, so you are not all loaded with too much information.  The course if of 4 weeks which means, each week comes with its lectures.

•Week 1- 15 lectures

•Week 2- 8 lectures

•Week 3- lectures

•Week 4- 12 lectures

The video and the textual material compliment each other and so you can move back and forth drilling down the material or referring to the other when in need. 

The videos are usually of shorter duration, precise and narrate the chapter well and in required details. 

I have been trying to log on to the site and then listen to the videos, but since I have been lagging behind (blame the new job), I decided to download the videos so I can listen to them easily.

So, when readers like you comment or mail and let me know that you are waiting for the review because you are interested in this prep course, it does help me. 

For week 1 click here.