A bit of fun, Christmas Prize Draw, Seasons Greetings

Christmas Prize Draw – win a copy of The Project Management Coaching Workbook

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Would you like to own your your own copy of the fantastic “The Project Management Coaching Workbook”?

As a bit of fun we are offering up this review copy for a Christmas prize draw. 

Prize Draw

I reviewed The Project Management Coaching Workbook by Susanne Madsen for APM Project in October, as I thought it was so good I want to give away my review copy to a deserving Project Professional who can really reap the rewards from the valuable advice supplied in the book. All that you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is share your funniest Christmas story – whether it be work or home related. It might be the office Christmas do or an epic shopping trip to get that all important last packet of stuffing… You choose, and once we have some stories we will put them up for public voting on our facebook page.

Send your funny story to: noreply@thecvrighter.co.uk

 

The PM Coaching WorkbookThe PM Coaching Workbook sig

 

All entries must be received by Friday 6th December 2013

The draw is open to UK mainland residents only, winner will be picked Friday 20th December 2013.

Prize is a signed copy of The Project Management Coaching Workbook by Susanne Madsen.

 

guest blogger, Project Management Software, Risk Management, Technology

The Top Five Benefits Of Risk Management Software

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Managing risk is a vital part of any business operation today, just as it has always been, since merchants opened their first businesses untold years ago. Nowadays, though, business owners and managers have many more powerful tools at their fingertips to help manage risks, whether they are a small business or a multinational corporation. There are many benefits that these modern tools provide, some of which will be explained in the list below. First, it’s important to discuss what risk management is, and what tools we use to accomplish this today.

What is Risk Management?

There are many ways of going about risk management, but in general, we can define it as a process that ensures the achievement of objectives, reduces the likelihood of any negative consequences of the actions taken to achieve those objectives, decreases the risks involved with the processes of achieving those objectives and increases the likelihood of a beneficial end result. Basically, the risk management process makes good things happen while preventing bad things from happening. This could mean many different things to different businesses, though. Something that one business views as a negative result could in fact be a positive result for another business in a different industry. The specific objectives of a risk management system may change, but the general idea remains the same – managing risks to help assure the least negative impact of any action taken by the business.

How Do Businesses Manage Risk Today?

Most businesses turn to software in this day and age, which has made it much easier to manage risks for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. A software program can be used to manage risks, report risks and decrease risks – all with minimal effort once the system is securely in place. This can mean a safer environment for employees when the system is used to manage workplace accidents, injuries, spills and other internal hazards. For a company that works with harmful substances, it can mean a safer environment for people in the community with reduced likelihood for harmful emissions, meltdowns, leakages and other dangers. It can also mean a reduced possibility of inefficiency. A good software system can help boost profits, employee morale and customer satisfaction, all while reducing expenses, excess waste and dangers of all sorts.

What are the Top Benefits of Risk Management?

If implemented and maintained effectively, a risk management software program can provide countless benefits, some of which should already be clear. These are arguably the top five benefits of this type of program:

  1. Reduces the likelihood of unexpected, negative surprises
  2. Allows companies to take advantage of new opportunities more quickly
  3. Helps ensure effective business planning and strategy
  4. Supports ongoing improvements to the company
  5. Makes better use of the company’s resources

Many people find that after they learn a bit more about risk management and the tools that are available to modern businesses, they feel it is a good time to think about implementing such software systems within their companies.

Craig is a risk analyst for a large corporation. He uses this type of invaluable software in his everyday work, and hopes his recommendations help other professionals mitigate risk in their corporate operations.

A bit of fun, CV Tips, CV Writing, Guy Fawkes, No, Project management CV

Does your Project Manager CV light fires?

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Yes, it is Guy Fawkes and as such we are adding a little fun into the article today to relate all things to the occasion and asking the question – does your CV light fires in the hearts of hiring managers’ or is it a bit of a damp firework?  Expectations are always high when it comes to opening a CV when recruiting for a new role, sometimes (but not always) we have our appetites whet by a really explosive covering letter which really addresses the requirements for the role and we open the CV with excited anticipation, however, often the CV is a real let down. Why does this happen, you ask? Well CVs are often put together and then forgotten about as you feel you’ve done the best you can and it should be fit for all applications. You see a job you like and go about writing a cover letter talking through your career similarities to the position, all the effort goes in here with little thought to how the CV reads now (sometimes months on from when you originally wrote it). It is good practice to always read through your CV and match against the roles you wish to apply for, and then make tweaks so it is substantiating the detail you have supplied in the cover letter.

Fireworks

  • Bonfire – Create a document which really makes reviewers warm to it, think out of the box, and make sure your personality and management style come across.
  • Fireworks – Create a dazzling display on the CV to make recruiters want to read on, it’s not all about formatting and colours, it is content. What would you like to see if you were recruiting?
  • Treacle toffee – Always seems like a good idea until it gets stuck in your teeth, just like writing untruths. Keen it real, you want the CV to be good, more emphasis on what you have done not what you haven’t please.
  • Lanterns – shine a light on your experience; stand out from the crowd by working in good examples of where you have shone.
  • Penny for the Guy – Stop pretending to be something you are not, you will soon be found out. You will no doubt have some great experience so talk about it, think about impacts and change – doesn’t sound so flat when you add in some context.

Have a safe and happy Guy Fawkes!

A bit of fun, CV Tips, Halloween, No, Project management CV

Skeletons in the Closet – PM CV Tips

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As it is All Hallows Eve, far be it for me to pass up on a ghoulishly themed article, last year we looked at all things scary when it comes to job applications.  Something  I came across recently was a CV which seemed to say all the right things in regards to areas covered within the roles, but on asking questions about different aspects such as change management (which had been listed) it became clear that not all was as it seems. As a former PM recruiter I know only too well that candidates will be vetted on the detail supplied in their CV – usually at the point of contact with a recruiter but sometimes not until interview. Regardless of when this happens, rest assured it halloweenwill happen and if you have not got examples to back up your statements then you will be rejected for the role. Therefore it is important to keep it real, when I asked why the candidate had stated areas which they hadn’t actually touched on the response was “I thought it was what the employers want to see on the CV”. I pointed out that it would soon become clear there was no evidence to substantiate the claims and pointed out that they actually have some great experience despite the lack of exposure to particular elements. Why paint an untrue picture when you can create a masterpiece which is true and will gain interviews for the right roles? Scary to think some still believe it is OK to include untruths and not be found out. As tempting as it may be to try and boost your CV, don’t! Leave the dramatics and masks for Halloween parties and going out playing Trick or Treat with the kids.

Here’s a short guide to getting it right:

  • Nightmare on Elm Street or more Elmo on Sesame Street – don’t embellish situations / assignments to make them sound more interesting.
  • Pumpkin Carving or more pumpkin soup – think about how you make your mark within an organisation, are you carving the way or just mixing in with the soup.
  • Skeletons in the closet – lying is lying, you will not only jeopardise your job application by making false statements.
  • Witches and Warlocks – does what you clam sound like magic, or a little too good to be true? This will get questioned; it is about striking a balance between selling yourself and being realistic.
  • Devils and Ghouls – don’t become one of these! You will soon get a reputation with recruiters who will not touch you in the future and certainly won’t thank you if you have ruined a relationship with their client.

Skeleton

Have a fantastic All Hallows Eve and get the need to dress up out of your system – you might get some sweets and will certainly gain a more positive response than doing it in your CV.

Making Your CV Project You