PMI Atlanta is proud to announce Larry Mead is hosting the release of the new version of MS Project on Wednesday, June 25 from 5:00 – 7:30 pm at Lenox Square Mall Microsoft Store at 3393 Peachtree Road NE Atlanta. Mead is the Director of US Operations at Campana & Schott, Inc. and a distinguished and active member of Project Management Institute, Atlanta Chapter. Microsoft and MPUG Atlanta will introduce the New Microsoft Project so that project managers across all businesses can see first-hand the rich reporting, collaboration and portfolio management capabilities the latest version has to offer. During the complimentary event, attendees will have a chance to:

• Engage with peers on enhancing usage of Microsoft Project’s portfolio management solutions within organizations.
• Learn how Microsoft Project offers flexible online and on-premises solutions for project portfolio management (PPM) and everyday work, enabling you to effectively execute and achieve strategic priorities.
• Experience how easily you can plan projects and collaborate with others from virtually anywhere.
• Understand new options for teams, departments, and large organizations to adopt lightweight or rigorous approaches to PPM through SharePoint, Project Server and Project Online.

TIME & AGENDA
• 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Introductions, pizza and refreshments
• 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Introducing the New Microsoft Project (Larry Mead, Director US Operations Campana & Schott Incorporated)
• 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Q&A & Raffles & store tour
 
Space is limited - Register now to try the New Project!

By:  Steven A. Shapiro, PMP

I recently was given a great opportunity to interview Daniel Pink, best-selling and award-winning author of books such as Drive: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us, A Whole New Mind, and his latest book To Sell is Human, among others.  Pink’s books have had a lasting impact on the way I look at my career and where I am headed and they have caused me to pause, at times, and rethink my goals.
When given this opportunity, I thought long and hard about what I could ask Pink to really make the connection between each of his books and the profession of Project Management, but ultimately I settled on asking just that.  What follows is the question I asked and Pink’s answer.

My Question
The practice of Project Management (PM) lends itself to many of the principles of Drive, A Whole New Mind and To Sell is Human. Connect your understanding of PM to the main concepts in each book - Drive (Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose), AWNM (Asia, Automation and Abundance, along with how the practice of PM is very conceptual) and then To Sell is Human (How we are all in Sales, but mainly that the practice of PM is a very non-sales selling job).

Our Programs team has scheduled a full day seminar for Friday, July 12, 2013 by Shobhna Raghupathy, MS, PMP, titled "Leadership & Emotional Intelligence for Successful Project Management".  If you are a Project, Program and Portfolio Manager who has leadership responsibilities within an organization, an emerging Project Manager seeking an opportunity to lead, or a consultant and Functional Manager who wants to excel in your role, you need to join Shobhna as she examines the challenges/issues presented to project managers and how emotional intelligence helps drive success.

As the project management profession continues to increase in complexity, there is a high demand for Leaders. With the changing business climate, the yardstick for measurement is the emotional competence of Project Managers and Leaders.  Leadership excellence cannot be achieved by technical competence but by character and Emotional Intelligence. Successful project management follows.

In today’s changing business environment, project managers not only need to manage global, virtual and multi-cultural projects, but also establish a direction and align with the organization vision.  Successful leadership is a dynamic process requiring both cognitive and emotional competencies.  The globalization of the workplace and the business environment puts special premium on Emotional Intelligence for project managers. Several studies demonstrate that strong leadership style and emotional intelligence leads to the success in implementing large and complex global initiatives.

The never ending demands and commitment to successfully managing a project can leave many project mangers feeling more like a “project mother”.  With Mother’s Day approaching, the significance of mothers was the resounding thought of the PMI Toastmasters group bi-weekly meeting held on May 9th at Nancy G’s Cafe in Sandy Springs.  Traffic must have been ideal across the city as many members arrived early and ordered dinner before the meeting started promptly at 6:30 pm.   The Sergeant of Arms, Dean Gudlauski led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the reciting of the Toastmasters creed.  First-time Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD), Issaiah Banks kicked off the meeting with a lot of energy introducing the fitting theme, “Mother Jewel of the Family”.   

The Joke Master, Chris Coussens took a stab at lightening the mood with a “Zombie Apocalypse” joke alluding to the inability of satisfying demanding stakeholders.  However, it was challenging for the audience to find humor in this disturbing reality!  During the introduction of the Evaluation Team, Dean captured the audience’s attention with a new traffic light timer to assist speakers in tracking their speech time.  With the fancy new timer in place it was time to hear two dynamic speakers!