Begin today

How to run a successful team meeting

If you are in and out of meetings all day as a project manager; you should figure out by now the best way to run them efficiently.

• Set the objective- why are you calling this meeting? Email a clear bullet point agenda a day before the meeting. Make sure everyone is informed on the reason for the meeting so they come prepared. 
• Required Outcomes of the meeting- If there’s some decision making happening which is the output of the meeting; make sure you mention it in the email. More information you put there, you make it easier for the members to understand. Any document required to make the decision should be attached in the email when you send out the agenda. 
• Assign a note taker- You want someone to volunteer to take down notes or you can bring in your own note taker during the meeting. You don’t want to miss out on important points discussed during it and send out a detailed minutes after the meeting. 
• Manage your time well- No one wants to get bored. Try standing up for the meeting, manage your team by limiting the meeting and to run your meeting like Google, read up this link.
• Discourage taking sides- Don’t take sides during meetings, beware of what you say and how you say it. Meetings are a great way to learn about human behavior, body language and a way to understand the  reactions even before it happens.

Don't underestimate the importance of meetings, its a great way to learn about the people you work with. So, run them well, learn from them and be an expert in benefiting from them. 

5 ways to get your team to adhere to the incoming change

Change is good. Change is difficult. Change leads to more change.

And you are going through a change with your team- could be team shuffling, can be inclusion of distributed team members, can be a transformation and you want the team to stop worrying and be at ease.

Here are few ways to get it done:

• Provide enough information to stop the panic-If you already know the road map  share it with your team, so no one is in panic mode and work continues. Make sure you answer questions, share your vision and keep them engaged during the change.
• Communicate often- Talk to them on what’s bothering them, look for honest feedback, listen to their needs and keep the communication open. Set up a communication plan with your team- a meeting once  a week or an email update that goes out on Friday 5 pm.
• Naysayers- Keep them in the communication loop. It’s easy to spread discontentment and negative word around much faster, so make sure you know what’s going on at the water cooler.
• Mind your Body language- You don’t want to be the manager who says something and believes in something else. Before you go out on an information sharing crusade make sure you know what you are talking about and know it well to filed any questions coming your way.
• Acceptance- If you want your team to accept the change, make sure you create an environment that allows them to stay positive and get all the right information at the right time. 

(Pic Courtesy: Google images)

To learn more about project management, read my book Stepping into Project Management (Welcome to the #PMOT World). To connect with experienced Project Manager's from all over the world, get mentored or shadow for a day see the SIPM Community.

Be Yourself!

Interview with Ron Rosenhead

Here's the answer for those who saw the lateral thinking post!


So, today we have the honor to interview Ron Rosenhead, who is Managing Director of Project Agency. He first became interested in project management when involved in a major change management project. Since then he has run many project events and workshops, helped organisations develop their own project management system and spoken at conferences. 

How does your day usually look like?
There is no typical day for me which is why the job is so much fun. One day I am running an event for a client, another planning an event for a client. Maybe I am out selling or researching and writing blogs. I try and take time out from work as much as possible because all work and no play…

I travel a fair amount in the UK and I chose to use the train a lot. This gives me time for reading and relaxing.

No typical day, not even running events as each group is so different

What do you see as a major change in trend in project management for 2013?

• I am writing a book on project sponsorship with Vicki James & Peter Taylor. I think this will be a big area in 2013 and not simply because of the book we are writing. I am getting more and more enquiries about this area.
• Benefits management will grow in its importance. The need to be able to justify projects (especially with public money) is growing 
• People skills/soft skills  - I started my life as a ‘soft skills ‘trainer and there has never been enough emphasis on the people side of project management. I see this as a growing area

3 qualities every aspiring project manager should have.

Wow, only 3? Difficult however here goes:

• clearly the project manager should know about project management. Whether that is a qualification or experience I do not mind. The project manager needs to immerse themselves within project management and get to know as much a possible about it – in a practical (not theoretical) way 
• people (soft) skills – projects are delivered by people. It is essential that the PM develops great people (soft) skills. Dealing with a difficult stakeholder can enhance the project if done well. Done badly can make the job really difficult
• learn – you will make mistakes and learn from them. We have all made mistakes however the good PM will realize they can build on their knowledge and experience by being honest and sharing the mistakes with others and learning from them

Tell us a little more about Project Agency and what  training programs are conducted? Are there any training's for people stepping into project management?

A lot of our work focuses on those who are professionals and find themselves ‘involved with project management’ but have not had very much training. One of our courses: We have had over 14,000 people on our Perfect Project course. It is tied, tested and practical and is aimed at those who are new to project management.

Some of our courses are customized to meet client needs however I would judge around 80% are new to project management in some way or other.

We also work 1 to 1 with individuals, coaching and working with them to deliver projects.

Another area is to support the company by developing in-house project management approaches that really work. This involves some consultancy and then training however I am really aware of the needs of people who are new to project management


How can people reach you?
They can contact me by:

email: rr@projectagency.com
phone: +44 (0) 208 446 7766
Skype: ron.rosenhead1
web site: www.projectagency.com

Thank you Ron!

(Pic Courtesy: projectagency.com)