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Are Service-oriented Firms More Suited for PMs?

Posted on by Adam Kovitz
You may be thinking that if you are in the Information Technology (IT) space, that EVERYONE is in the services industry. That may not be very accurate and the reason why is that if you are a project manager (PM) in a large corporation’s IT group, you may not necessarily be in a “services” group. We can argue that point of view during another blog. However, what I would like to ask you is this: Do you believe a service organization is a better place for a PM? What I mean is this: is a service organization more like a consulting organization rather than a professional services organization, and is it a better organization for a PM to use his/her skill set? In a service oriented organization that has a strong Professional Service Organization (PSO) the focus for the PM is a bit different than a Project Management Organization (PMO).
It seems that service organizations need good quality PMs because of the increased emphasis on project budget. A downside may be the number of projects a good PM may have to manage at one time. And let’s not forget resource scarcity. So let’s take this one at a time.
Budget Emphasis
In a service organization, the focus on budget is intense, and not just for expenses. The reason a service organization is in place is to provide specialized service for the client at a profit for the service organization. So, like other projects, this project must be on budget or under budget. If there is a possible budget over-run, the PM must communicate that risk to the client and convince and commit the client to a change request that adds to the budget and possibly the scope and timeline, while keeping the project green.
This is not easy since this project is to generate not only revenues, but most importantly, profits. The PM in a service organization MUST know the difference between those two terms and must be in line with the profit-generating mind-set. If not, that PM is looking at possible failure within the project and most likely within the organization.
Project Resource Emphasis
Service organizations are historically “lean and mean” to promote profits. That makes it additionally hard for a PM to attain and keep project resources. I can’t tell you how many times a resource manager has come to my desk in the middle of my project and said, “Oh by the way Benny, we have to take Jane away from you for XYZ project.” If you hear a scream, that is me. We can all say, “Then why doesn’t that organization staff to the project?” Good question. Mainly because, the organization may go through economic phases where they may have a good pipeline and times where they have a very shallow pipeline. Some service organizations may staff with third-party consultants. However, what service organizations don’t want to so is “home grow” their competition. So having third-parties may be both a blessing and a curse.
So how does a PM keep an important resource? Make that resource important to the client they are servicing and most likely that client will compliment the resource to the senior management team of the service organization. In that case, the management team wants “return business” from this client and the last thing they want to do is make the client unhappy.
Number of Projects that a PM Manages
Service organizations historically are known to keep their staff size small. So a PM in a service organization may have to work on more than the desired number of projects (5-8 projects depending on the size). However, in a service organization, that number may jump to 10 projects. If that happens, it is up to the PM to discuss this with management and provide input to the term “diminishing returns.” However, the PM must be prepared when having this discussion. The PM must come with proof that he or she has performed admirably in the past and now the PM’s work is compromised because of the quantity of projects, NOT because of the quality. Perception is reality here and the PM must focus on the past quality of work to management so that the quality of the PM’s work is never in question.

I have used this term in the past and it serves to repeat it: the PM walks a tight-rope in this situation because of perception. Once the PM proves that he/she can do the work with the right staff and number of projects, the PM has the ammunition to discuss issues with management. However, if a PM is considering working in a service organization, that PM must know  going in that a service organization is a challenging place to work because of budgets, resources, and the number of projects. 

I am open to discussion at any time on these blogs or anything else related to project management you would like to explore. If you would like to comment about this blog, please do so by posting on this blog or by responding in an email at Benny A. Recine. You may inspire a blog article. I look forward to your comments.

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What is the “Internet of Things”?

Posted on by Adam Kovitz
The Internet of Things (IoT) is where objects (or even living things) are provided with unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring a person-to-person or person-to-computer interaction. IoT has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, micro-electronics, electro-mechanical systems and the Internet. 

The impact of IoT is bigger than any of us may realize.
A “thing” in IoT can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a thermostat that alerts of exceeding the desired temperature threshold, an automobile that can alert the driver when a mechanical issue arises, a farm animal with a bio chip transponder, or any other object that has a sensor which can be assigned an IP address and provided with the ability to transfer data over a network. So far, IoT has been most closely associated with machine-to-machine communication. A product built with machine-to-machine communication capabilities, usually called an Internet appliance, is often referred to as being “smart”.

The first Internet appliance was a Coke machine at Carnegie Melon University in the early 1980s. The programmers could connect to the machine over the Internet, check the status of the machine, and determine whether or not there would be a cold drink awaiting them in case they decided to make the trip to the machine.

How IoT Will Be Used
In 2007, a road bridge collapsed in Minnesota killing many people because the steel plates became inadequate to handle the bridge’s load. As we rebuild bridges, we can use beams, plates and cement equipped with sensors to monitor stresses and cracks. The sensors in the bridge will alert the bridge authority to fix problems before an issue causes a catastrophe.

The agriculture industry will use IoT to more effectively manage their production in order to feed a growing population. Smart farming will allow farmers to better understand the wide range of conditions that affect their yield. Embedding intelligence into the soil, as well as into the design and operation of machines, will allow sensor information to be combined with other data and the knowledge of the farmer. Farmers will water the crops only when needed and without over watering, and they will apply fertilizer only if necessary. For livestock farming, IoT includes monitoring the condition of animals to provide the right type of intervention at the right time, and only if necessary.

At home, we already have home security systems and thermostats connected to the internet. Looking forward, your refrigerator can inform you when you need to go shopping based on its contents and how your family uses the refrigerator.

IoT Comes at a Price

IoT will enable a future where every day devices are connected to the internet. In a world with billions of connected devices, privacy and data security becomes extremely important. IoT will collect data at a very granular level. When overlaid across devices and applications, companies are able to analyze and capitalize on this information quickly and in near real-time.

We have come to accept that some smart devices, such as our mobile phone, capture data associated with individual interactions. But, the ownership of this data is a matter of debate. Does the device owner or service provider own the data? Who can share that data with whom? Who must ensure data security? As consumers, we have never had to consider that for an appliance or a vehicle. 

There is no doubt that consumers should be able to control their own data. In addition, consumers must have confidence in how that information is protected and to be used.

What Should be Next?
Of all the technology trends that are taking place right now, perhaps the biggest one is IoT. It’s going to give us the most opportunity over the next several years. But, it has the potential to be the most disruptive and exploited. With the ever-increasing number if internet appliances and the amount of data that is generated in our increasingly connected world, it is essential that guidelines are developed to address privacy and security concerns.

It will be important to educate consumers on where and how their data is being shared. Consumers must become aware and accept that not all data is equally sensitive.  For example, data such as health, financial and individual communications should be subject to the more stringent privacy and security requirements than data that has been voluntarily given.

I encourage you to leave a comment by clicking on “…comments” below…
David Schuchman     Princeton Technology Advisors

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10 Best Job Search Tips

Posted on by Adam Kovitz

The word best in the title should be interpreted as a recommendation. Please also keep in mind that job search by someone who is employed differs significantly from job search by someone who is unemployed. The latter is, typically, more motivated, the person can devote more time to it, and the unemployed job seeker’s actions […]

The post 10 Best Job Search Tips appeared first on Landing Expert Career Coaching.

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Monthly Meeting

Posted on by Adrienne Roman

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents : “Re-Branding in the age of high technology, low personnel” presented by Marcos Edghill

Saturday June 13th at 8:00am ET

Synopsis:

“Re-Branding in the age of high technology, low personnel” presented by Marcos Edghill
Presentation: “Re-Branding in the age of high technology, low personnel”
Marcos Edghill will lead us in a discussion about the current state of hiring in various corporate environments as well as alternative thinking and approaches. This includes “re-branding” in the age of high technology, low personnel.
Our Moderator: Marcos Edghill is considered a “Technocrat” with a quarter century of IT Industry experience. His unique perspective comes from consistent roles as an employee, a hiring manager, an independent consultant, Corporate and Agency Recruiter and Staffing Executive. Having sat on three sides of the hiring desk, he has successfully provided career development and career counseling to many professionals.

Please share this with other groups you may be in. Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

RSVP

TBC meetings for 2015 are free (courtesy of one of our members), and free breakfast (bagels) to the first 50 attendees!!!

Be sure to tell your friends and bring them along. Be a part of our growing network of Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Career Coaches, and people who want to be able to help themselves and each other.

Event Location:

Days Hotel Conference Center
195 Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-828-6900

Meeting Format:

7:30 to 8:00 – Registration & Open Networking

8:00 to 8:15 – Welcome and housekeeping

8:15 to 9:15 – Presentation by the guest speaker – Limited to 60 minutes

9:15 to 10:15 – Elevator Pitch – 30 Seconds about yourself, who you are, what you are looking for, target companies (3-4), how we can help you, how you can help others. Follow the rule of the Three B’s of Public Speaking: Be informative; Be brief; Be seated.

10:15 until you choose to leave – Open Networking, follow up with people you are interested in meeting following their elevator pitch, exchange business cards, peruse the library, arrange follow up meetings, etc.

The Breakfast Club NJ – 10 Points for Good Member Citizenship

    1) Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com)

    2) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly

    3) Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible

    4) Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton -gpeyton@ptd.net)

    5) Join groups Facebook group, Google +, and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – adrienne1204@optonline.net)

    6) Join groups twitter account (questions see George Pace – keeppace@gmail.com)

    7) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com)

    8) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful)

    9) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to thebreakfastclubnj@yahoogroups.com)

    10) Help fellow members whenever possible

  1. Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com)
  2. Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly
  3. Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible
  4. Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton -gpeyton@ptd.net)
  5. Join groups Facebook group and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – adrienne1204@optonline.net)
  6. Join groups twitter account (questions see George Pace – keeppace@gmail.com)
  7. If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com)
  8. Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful)
  9. If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to thebreakfastclubnj@yahoogroups.com)
  10. Help fellow members whenever possible

We look forward to seeing everyone let’s make this a great meeting for our members that are in transition and welcome those that have landed
RSVP

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Don’t be Fooled by the Job Description

Posted on by Alex Freund

4771913_sAs an executive job coach, an important part of my job is training my clients how to prepare for interviews. During this training, I am often handed the job description relevant to the interview. Most often I caution my clients to take that job description with a grain of salt. I have learned through the years working for major companies that “the bigger the company the bigger the mess.” I, of course, say this with sarcasm, but there is a lot of truth in this.

Typically, job descriptions are documents that Human Resources are required to have on file for reference purposes. They have no practical use except during the hiring process or during the yearly employee evaluation should there be a dispute. Once a position needs to be filled the job description becomes the focal point for recruiting. However, very often, these documents have not been adequately updated and made pertinent to the opening. At times they are outright misleading!

Evidence to this was when I interviewed with Honeywell. Truthfully, I was very reluctant to apply for the position advertised in The New York Times. It was two titles below my level, but it was a 15-minute drive from my house. Since I was so upset with my employer at that time, I was very motivated to make a change. Evidently, my resume was so impressive that I was called in for an interview. Only, during that interview, I find out that they are looking for someone with my background and accomplishments and not what they advertised for. I ended up spending the best fifteen years of my career with Honeywell.

So what is the candidate to do to be best prepared for the interview? The answer is to learn the skill of sleuthing into the company through his networking contacts and the skill of being able to ask the interviewer questions revealing the key issues on his mind. The job description may reveal some of the issues, but often they are buried among the details. The reason for this is easy to understand. Job descriptions are often written by HR. How often do they understand the core needs of the position? HR most often uses standard language descriptions that are very general, “Looking for a highly motivated self-starter with strong organizational and leadership skills. Must be an excellent communicator with…”. The same goes for recruiters unless they have a long-standing relationship with the company.

The solution is that the candidate should attempt to surface the true needs of the hiring manager as soon as possible at the start of the interview. One way to do this is by asking the interviewer a question such as “I understand what you are saying but I wonder if you could share with me what the hired candidate would be doing, say, in the first three weeks on the job?” Paraphrasing that question, you would be asking, “What is important for you?” After all a newly hired person will focus in the initial period on the job that the boss needs done. Right?

Posted in Monthly Meeting

The Worst Thing Is to Be Stuck in Your Career

Posted on by Adam Kovitz

Many of my clients say they feel suffocated in their careers. For whatever reason, they do not like the profession they have chosen for themselves: they feel they’re poorly fit for their careers, and they dislike everything associated with their jobs, their companies, and their bosses. So, the question is, what to do next? Recently, […]

The post The Worst Thing Is to Be Stuck in Your Career appeared first on Landing Expert Career Coaching.

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Networking Is Art and Science Combined

Posted on by Adam Kovitz

Networking has two purposes: (1) to get you your next job, and if that’s not right now, (2) to prepare for when you need to. Networking is the most effective way to secure a job nowadays. Gerry Crispin of CareerXroads—human resources consultant to the largest companies in America—says that if you network your way into […]

The post Networking Is Art and Science Combined appeared first on Landing Expert Career Coaching.

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It’s OK to Disagree With Your Manager

Posted on by Adam Kovitz
If you disagree with your manager about something, it’s important not to panic or retreat. You can disagree constructively by showing respect for his/her point of view, and demonstrating that you care about achieving the best result for the organization. You want to show that you’re truly working to collaborate. So link your ideas directly with your manager’s goals and concerns.
How you approach disagreement is critical when you want to disagree with your manager. Managers who are confident in their own skills and position want employees who will disagree with them when necessary. With disagreement comes alternative ideas, solved problems, stronger relationships, better products for your customers, and personal growth and development. 
Be Specific About Your Ideas
Don’t just list objections. Have facts available to support your position. Present supporting data to show that your proposal is fact-based rather than emotional.

Research the area of disagreement. Identify the practices of other departments or companies, and talk with other industry professionals about best practices. These will bring the necessary verification to support your opinion. This is especially important when the decision involves serious business issues that might require a disruptive change in management strategies, financial commitments, or have an emotional affect on employees.

Try to Give a Range of Options
Suggesting different possibilities signals your flexibility, demonstrates your thoughtfulness, and invites your manager to be flexible too. Understand the alternatives and be able to make your case in the context of a strong set of options.
Be Prepared to Win
If your argument prevails, be ready to move it forward. Your manager will expect you to act on your suggestion, and will respect you for seeing your idea through its completion.

If You Have Not Changed the Manager’s Mind

What happens if you have done your best job of disagreeing with the direction and your manager decides to stay on the current path or rejects your solution? You tell the manager that while you disagree, you will perform the request as the manager has decided. Remember, the manager has the decision making authority and responsibility. At this time, you will know the point at which it becomes no longer okay to disagree further.
I encourage you to leave a comment by clicking on “…comments” below…
David Schuchman     Princeton Technology Advisors

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How close are you to the Business Side of Your Organization?

Posted on by Adam Kovitz

I know a certain project manager (PM) who I will refer to as “Bob.”
Bob seems to have a knack that other PMs do not have. Bob listens to the business side of his organization and he acts as if he owns his projects as if they were his own business.  Basically, Bob introduces himself as a partner of the business to not only the project sponsor, but the whole project team.
So how does Bob do this?
Bob listens to what clients are saying in meetings
Bob keeps his ears and eyes open during project meetings, but not just these meetings. Bob makes it a point to read the client and have a good line of sight of what makes the client happy or uncomfortable when it comes to the actual project. However, in these meetings, the client may begin discussing future needs and possible projects. That’s when Bob LISTENS to the whole message and discussion. The next move that Bob makes is critical. Instead of stating anything publicly in the project meeting, Bob meets with the client lead or the client sponsor who made the statement(s) and asks for additional information and clarification.
Once confirmed, Bob then contacts his direct manager and the client manager, who both need to be aware of this opportunity. Once those individuals are notified, Bob makes every effort to have the client agree to a meeting with those interested parties as quickly as possible. Bob stays in the middle of this effort and is seen as the catalyst both by his organization and, more importantly, the client.

Bob listens to the project team
Bob also listens to his project team for information regarding a client’s business climate. Bob is close to the Business Analyst and/or the Technical Lead, who hear the “gossip” from the client’s employees. These individuals may have information that could predict possible future scope creep on a current project that would necessitate a change request or information that could lead to a new project. Bob delivers this information to his direct manager and the client manager, as I mentioned above. Once this is done, Bob approaches the client sponsor with this information to see if he can schedule a meeting with the interested parties as soon as possible.
Bob reacts quickly to the news
Time is of the essence when new information is received. This information may grow “cold” quickly and the opportunity to bring in additional business may be lost. Bob understand that the current project is why Bob is there in the first place and that project is going to be referenced by the client organization. If the project is going well and is in the green, then Bob’s management team will have an advantage to gain additional work from the client organization.
Conclusion

So what Bob brings to the table is his ability to listen and watch what the client and the project team say and their body language. Bob also uses his project team as his ears and eyes while he is not around and uses that intelligence to benefit both his organization and the client for additional services that brings a solution to a problem. 


I am open to discussion at any time on these blogs or anything else related to project management you would like to explore. If you would like to comment about this blog, please do so by posting on this blog or by responding in an email at Benny A. Recine. You may inspire a blog article. I look forward to your comments.

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What Does Net Neutrality Mean to You?

Posted on by Adam Kovitz
Net neutrality (also known as “network neutrality”, “internet neutrality”, or “net equality”) is the principle that internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the internet equally, not discriminating or charging differently by user, content, site, platform, application, or mode of communication.*
In May 2014, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler released a plan that would have allowed internet service provider companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to discriminate online and create pay-to-play fast lanes. Essentially, the big internet providers would have had the power to decide on what content moves the fastest on the web based on who pays the most. 
Thanks to a huge public and political outcry, Chairman Wheeler shelved his original proposal. In February 2015, he announced that he would base new Net Neutrality rules giving internet users protections from any attempt to pay-to-play. The core net neutrality provisions are bans on blocking and throttling traffic. Broadband providers will not be allowed to block or degrade access to content, applications, websites, and services, or favor some traffic over others in exchange for payment.
Why Net Neutrality is Important for Businesses
Net Neutrality is crucial for small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs who rely on the open Internet to launch their businesses, create a market, advertise their products and services, and distribute products to customers. It ensures the web is a level playing field. It’s because of Net Neutrality that small businesses and entrepreneurs have been able to thrive on the internet. They use the internet to reach new customers and showcase their goods, applications and services. We need the open internet to foster job growth from small businesses, competition and innovation.
Why Net Neutrality is Important for Individuals
The open internet allows individuals and community organizations to tell their own stories. The open internet gives marginalized voices opportunities the opportunity to be heard. But without Net Neutrality, internet service providers could have blocked unpopular topics from reaching the masses. And without Net Neutrality, many small businesses would not be able to compete against larger corporations online.
“An open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life. By lowering the cost of launching a new idea, igniting new political movements, and bringing communities closer together, it has been one of the most significant democratizing influences the world has ever known.” – Barack Obama: November 2014
I encourage you to leave a comment by clicking on “…comments” below…
David Schuchman     Princeton Technology Advisors

* Wikipedia

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