Apr 16, 2010

ProjectManager.com: Tips for Running Project Meetings

Author: Jason Westland

Do you repeatedly have to attend Proposal Meetings? If you must, in that case skim through these suggested methods to find out how to implement them easily and without difficulty.

Guide for Initializing Proposal Meetings

Everybody hates meetings that take so long. So your work is to make it precised, highly motivated and to add a substance. If you organize this, then you'll increase group motivation and spirits. The following are 5 guides to help you...

Tip 1: Prepare carefully
To ensure you obtain the most out of your meetings, you should arrange them carefully. Ahead of every gathering, put in writing 3 goals that you need from the convention. The following are several examples:
  • I need the group to perceive we're on schedule.
  • I need several challenges or hindrances to be discussed.
  • I need them to feel significant and encouraged.
Next you should discover how you're going to accomplish your objective. The subsequent number of tips will assist you with this.

Tip 2: Start and end carefully
Like in theatre, people largely recall the introduction and the end part the most. So start and end your talks mindfully. Once you initiate the discussion, impart to them what the target of the gathering is, what you need to make out of it and the reason it's focal. This gets their thoughts and prepares the field. As you end the discussion, ask them what has been agreed / achieved in the gathering and the next methods moving forward.

Tip 3: Structure the discussion
You should be in complete control of the conference at all times, to make sure that:
  • The business meeting follows the schedule
  • You don't get stumped on a single concern
  • An individual doesn't take control it
  • Each one has their voice
Begin by standing or sitting in a noticeable place in the area. Increase your voice a little to make presence. Take part frequently once participants discuss too long. Be respectful but firm. Structure the business meeting as a coach would direct a soccer team - by constantly monitoring, listening and guiding the group. If feasible, assign someone else to write the minutes. This gives you the time necessary to structure the discussion so that the schedule and your 3 goals are met.

Tip 4: Park it and proceed
Often in meetings, a single subject matter can take the big part of the engagement schedule. If the subject is not associated to your definite discussion objective, then inform the group to park it and proceed. Take note the subject on a whiteboard or paper and attend to it with the appropriate group members independently after the gathering. This keeps your meetings brief and structured.

Tip 5: Keep it results oriented
Projects are all about getting the job completed. So ensure that where viable, all argument results in an action to be fulfilled. Concentrating on the proceedings that are necessary, is a significant way of reducing the time of meetings.


Jason Westland has been in the project management industry for the past 16 years.
Find out about his new project management software here.



ProjectManager.com

Screenshot of the ProjectManager.com website.

About one week ago, I was surprised in receiving an email from ProjectManager.com. I felt honored since they told me they were impressed with my Time Management Tools for Busy Managers article. As a result, they would like to send me articles from ProjectManager.com's and are requesting to have them published in my blog. Of course I replied yes, yes, yes!

In this regard, I am dedicating Friday as my ProjectManager.com day. I will be posting articles that I receive from ProjectManager.com on this day and today is the start of this momentous event.





Mar 5, 2010

Canon 70-200mm F4L Coffee Mug

Image from PDNPulse

What is more awesome that owning a Canon L lens? Drinking from it! Kudos to Canon for making us fanboys drool all over again this awesome giveaway. They previously brought out the Canon EOS 5D Mark II flash drive and now this! It will even be more shocking if this mug is also "stabilized."

Here's the PDNPulse article for more information.





Feb 28, 2010

New Year, New Focus, New Projects

cartoon from www.weblogcartoons.com
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

It took me a long time staring at the window and waiting for something before being able to post this, a new posting after three months and my first for the new year, 2010.

Why the hiatus? Admittedly, a question had been plaguing my mind for several months now. How can I make this blog unique and stand out amidst the more than 130 million plus blogs (as of January 2009) out there? Because of this question, I suffered from paralysis by analysis in my quest to find the answers.

After reading through several blogs about blogging, I came across two articles from Problogger which inspired me and helped me unstuck myself from this rut.

Principles of Successful Blogging – Confessions of a ProBlogger
What Are You Taking For Granted That Might Be Useful to Others?

As a result, even if I still do not have a clear answer to my question above, I thought it would be better if I'll be moving along and continue my blogging activities, moving rather than standing idly waiting for rhyme and reason. As Kahlil Gibran aptly said, "A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle."

What are my plans then for this year? Well for starters, I have been toying around the idea of my own version of lists and I already have a couple in mind. In addition to this, I am preparing to take the PMP exam and I am planning to share tips, lessons learned and best practices that I will be amassing along the way.

I am raring to blog this year and it is great to be back! =)