Business Trends for 2009 & Implications for Project Managers

In this blog I have been asked to write about Business Trends for 2009, what is on the horizon and what it will mean to project managers. So, here’s how I see the top 5 trends we will face in 2009… 1. Cut expenses. This isn’t the traditional cry for lowering costs raised predictably by executives each year. It is more like a do it or we die languishing wail. The list of business that are going out-of-business grows each day, from the small business in your hometown to the big chain retailers such as Sharper Image, Footlocker and Zales... Read More»

How to Survive a Layoff: A Project Plan

A friend called me two days ago and announced that he, along with 600 other employees, has been laid off from the company where he's worked the last 12 years. My aunt called to let me know that my cousin had been cut from a full-time job with benefits to 40% time, hourly pay and no benefits. These are intelligent, professional people who are hard workers and top performers. Last night on the evening news an economist projected that in California alone, one million - that's ONE MILLION - people will be laid off in 2009. And the problem isn't... Read More»

Problem Solving vs. the Blame Game: PM Skills for All Leaders

As an organization development professional who has designed and implemented leadership programs, training programs and change management efforts for major corporations, I am still amazed when I see very smart people forgetting to problem solve and to concentrate on finding a solution to their problem. It seems that once humans get overwhelmed, our nature often prefers to blame, make assumptions or feel guilty rather than use reason and problem solving to find solutions. Just this past week this issue came up again. I was having coffee with a person I use to work with a few years ago. Let’s call... Read More»

Networking as a Strategic Business Skill

Many people do not like networking. In fact, for many of my friends, especially in the technology sector, you could say they hate it. For these folks, networking is at best annoying and at worst reminiscent of a slimy sales person trying to sell you something that you don't need and don't want to buy. However, in my experience, networking is one of the most important, misunderstood and underutilized business tools we have as professionals. It all starts with our attitude – how we approach meeting new people, and how (or if) we connect to the people we do meet.... Read More»