There are many ways to manage a project. But what is a project and how do you manage "it"? Project: A project, as defined in the field of project management, consists of a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a product or service. More generically, the Oxford English Dictionary suggests that business and science projects involve "a collaborative enterprise, frequently involving research or design, that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim".
Project management: Project Management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. A project is a finite endeavor—having specific start and completion dates—undertaken to create a unique product or service which brings about beneficial change or added value. This finite characteristic of projects stands in sharp contrast to processes, or operations, which are permanent or semi-permanent functional work to repetitively produce the same product or service. In practice, the management of these two systems is often found to be quite different, and as such requires the development of distinct technical skills and the adoption of separate management philosophy, which is the subject of this article.
Now. Let's see a method that I believe it could be applied in all projects (and I am not talking only about IT):
Start:
Definition of the project's milestones
Calculation of situations, hr and budget pros and cons
Communication between all members of their tasks and milestones
Middle:
Evaluation of the situation
Revision of milestones (always make one!!!)
Communication between members on how to enhance their labor performance
End:
Overall evaluation
Definition of non deliverables and dealing strategy
Proof of quality
Simple no? Try it in all projects that you may have. Though, remember: "A badly planned project will take three times longer than expected - a well planned project only twice as long as expected."
WWW= World Wide Web. According to Wikipedia, WorldWideWeb was the world's first Web browser and WYSIWYG HTML editor and was introduced on February 26, 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee and ran on the NeXTSTEP platform. It was later renamed Nexus to avoid confusion with the World Wide Web.
I remember I started exploring HTML in 96'. What a glorious year!!! Why? Because it changed my life... It gave me, finally the extra flavor I needed! For me, to express feelings, emotions, thoughts by creating web pages, was the best thing ever! And then after I touched Adobe Photoshop!!! Simply amazed! I could even put clouds on the background of the page!
Now, you could ask yourself, why am I telling you my story... The answer is simple... The same passion I had the very first day that I created my first website (which I still remember and have in a 3.5' floppy disk)!!! Each day, I visit many websites to realize the design trends of the market plus to get ideas. What I see is 20% great and 80% poor in content, design and GUI website. Why is that?
The problem starts with the whole concept on "why do I need a website"??? Most of the companies are having a website because all the rest have, not because they realize that a) they will be in contact with their customers and b) they prove their quality and moreover... their existence!!! In addition to this, we, the professional web designers, have forgotten the creative part of ourselves! We don't bring new ideas... we copy, paste and alter...
The key point in this situation if, again, you! It doesn't matter in which side you are (designer / customer), what does matter though is your belief on your website (as creation or business tool). Think of it... There is no other way, but to be conscious on what you are doing and on why you are doing it... I believe now that you should click on your homepage (I expect that this is your company's website and not Google... yeah... right!) and re-evaluate the result!
Well, yesterday we discussed about the respect that customers should exhibit to you and your services or products. The key question to that is: do you worth it? I believe it! Do you? Let's find out by simply answering yes (1) or no (0) to the following questions... so... do you:
have your company's website as your default homepage on your browser?
say to your friends "I am happy working in the company XYZ"?
want to get more salary?
spend more than three hours per day on the phone?
care if what will sell will be something valuable for your customer?
have a friend in the company you work?
contact your friend to sell them your products?
say "no" to customers that you can't communicate?
make 50% off price in a special occasion that could be proven valuable for your company?
smile the end of the day while leaving your office?
Now... things are simple, add the "Yes" (1) and if:
Sum <5, change occupation, you never wanted to be a salesman;
Sum =5, you have selected the Buddhism path: the middle way;
Sum =10, what can I say... if you recount them you might even have 11 or 12...
So, I would suggest the following: when you will have your next cold-call, feel the person on the other line, and if a proper communication exists.. go for it, otherwise... next call!!! (btw Skype is cool!)
Seriously, in some years I want Apogee's office to be literally 10 meters away from the seaside!
Now... let's get back to our subject... Prospect Customers! Have you ever thought how many brain cells have you burned because of them? You need to:
be nice and smiley;
never make mistakes;
listen each very word they say;
show them compassion about the bad situation in their company;
apologize if you drop some water on their table...
And then what? They will get another offer 80% less price and quality, than yours and they will never bother even pick up the phone tell you "sorry, I got another offer and gave them the contract!". Well it's true! As customer I have done it also many times... So... what's your position?
never go bellow your standards;
represent effectively your company;
always be yourself and tell the truth... a bad customer means a bad project no matter what!!!
Imagine this... you are on Earth - Gaia!!! On this planet there are more than 1.000.000.000 companies that you can offer your services and products. Now... click on Google, and start sending emails to them... I am not talking about SPAM, but emails that will prove to these companies that you will bring them some valuable solutions!!! Of course, in order to succeed on that... you need to WORK like crazy and bring QUALITY on your products and services... otherwise you will just moan saying to yourself that you are a poor salesman!
Ps. Dear Potential Customer, I do apologize for my tone, please have a look at our product and services at http://ilovehotchocolate.com/
