One of the most difficult people to replace in an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) company is a Program Manager(PM). Different EMS companies have different PM models, there is no one right answer to what they consider important in program management.
Six execs give their takes
• Henry Protzel, Project Support Manager, WKK America (Holdings) Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA).
• Leo Reynolds, Vice Chairman, Electronics Systems Inc. (Sioux Falls, SD).
• Renee Rocca, Program Director, Hunter Technology (Santa Clara, CA).
• Lynn Cuperus, director operations, Goodrich Corp. (Albuquerque, NM).
• Tan Ka Huat, Managing Director, CEI Contract Manufacturing Ltd. (Singapore).
• Elliot L. Shev, Sr. VP Sales and Marketing, SMS Technologies Inc. (San Diego).
What is your vision of the PM's role in terms of customer support and project management within your company?
Protzel: The PM is usually the sole contact for the customer. A PM's expertise in handling a project often defines the way customers perceive the support they are receiving. Strong support leads to a happy customer. Resulting in more business.
PMs need to know the company inside and out, understand available resources as well as limitations within their company. They should also know the same of the individuals within the departments and know resources and limitations of the company's material suppliers.
The ability to negotiate through the different departments to get the job done in their favor tactfully. They should have a strong technical background, while not an Engineer graduate, ability to see the macro view of a project and a working knowledge of how it all falls into place and be able to act on a moment's notice and change channels just as fast.
Reynolds: PMs perform the single most defining role in an EMS company. The EMS business is all about understanding and managing customer expectations. The PM has to understand the technical, business and relationship issues to manage the expectations and then translate those expectations for the EMS company in a way that produces good outcomes. Ultimately, program management is a relationship-building endeavor.
Rocca: PMs will manage business orders from beginning to end. Without planners at Hunter, the PM must status material as it is purchased and have NPI meetings with engineers and production to go over how we plan to build the product. A key skill is maintaining good customer communication and monitoring daily schedules. When it is production ready, the PM must be sure assembly packages are complete and correct. After production the PM needs to feed to the customer any manufacturability issues for future builds.
Cuperus: A PM needs to be a strong interface and a business development front person. When new product development is involved, a PM must keep the design on track, the one thing that [can] derail programs quickly.
Tan: PM is the business management person with arguably the most important function to implement: customer relationship management. This includes providing seamless customer care, encompassing the customer's demand and forecast management, materials and production activities coordination, quality/reliability and delivery fulfillment support, non-business/social interactions with the customers and anything else required. PM are most likely to be groomed into a general management function as the future leader of an EMS company.
Shev: The PM is the key customer interface and the lead for the product team which, in addition, consists of a quality engineer, mechanical engineer and production control.
Can you describe an example where either a strong technical background or business background helped you or your PM better address customer issues?
Protzel: I was prepared to be sent to a customer on a moment's notice regarding invoices. That meeting was underway 15 minutes when the QC department manager walked in. Next thing you know, I was out on their production line for three hours reviewing process improvement issues. By the time I returned home he had sent an email in recognition of my support in answering his questions, copying my team as well as his.
Reynolds: Recently, a newer customer asked us to take over a major program in the middle of a run from a competitor that turned hostile to both our customer and our people that were sent in to pull inventory and tooling. Our customer related that they appreciated our PM's (and his team's) professionalism in handling a very difficult situation. This exemplifies one of the major skills required by PMs: handling unexpected and difficult situations correctly, or in simpler terms the ability to think on your feet.
Rocca: Knowing the business is the main thing. I have very bright people reporting but couldn't understand the technical side of our business. Capable PM knows what customers are talking about, come up with creative ideas to get difficult programs through the manufacturing process and keep good communication with customers.
Cuperus: On space hardware, the engineering background has frequently prevented us from agreeing to a scope change or technical requirement that would derail delivery of compliant hardware. Lack of business background, on the other hand, has cost us margin or profitability when scope changes become science experiments and the engineering nature would take over (the Jekyll/Hyde phenomenon).
Tan: We have several cases that involved the need to be physically present to help in diagnosis of technical issues that were either process or electrical test related. A PM with strong technical background traveled within 48 hours' notice without bringing a team of engineers or technicians. The PM could confidently relate to the customer technical staff to review and discuss the problems, and come to a decision stage. Where it involved phone calls or remote interactions, this technically strong staff member could discuss in a 24/7 fashion with much less need to adjourn the session for consultation with other staff. Staff members with technical backgrounds can pick up business skills much more readily than staff members with business backgrounds can pick up technical knowledge.
Shev: PMs faces mostly technical issues. They deal with issues that concern documentation, parts, production and test. A good understanding really helps to deal with the everyday issues that come up. From a business side, street smarts are the best skill to have. Preparing a quote is mostly by rote and predefined algorithms; knowing when to deviate is gut level, not something taught in school.
Common Ingredient
Throughout the responses a key theme was that PMs are often the "face" of the EMS provider and as such required people skills which included the ability to think on their feet, communicate clearly, negotiate well and maintain organization within the programs they managed. The degree to which a pure technical or business background is required is often driven by the breadth of support staff available and the PM's primary role in a given project. All respondents valued prior EMS experience over formal education, which reflects the specialized nature of program management within this industry.
KACAK5 Management
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Streetsmart or booksmart.
Program Management words of wisdom
1. A verbal contract isn't worth the evidence it's written on.
2. What is not on paper has not been said.
3. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.
_____________________________________________________________________
A big city lawyer went duck hunting in rural North Cowra . He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.
As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."
The old farmer Peter replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial lawyers in Australia and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in North Cowra . We settle small disagreements like this with the 'Three Kick Rule'.
The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?"
The Farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."
The lawyer quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel-toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!
His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow pie.
Summoning every bit of his will and remaining strength the lawyer very slowly managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."
(I love this part)
The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."
When you are educated, you'll believe only half of what you hear.
When you're street-smart, you'll know which half.
KACAK5 Management
1. A verbal contract isn't worth the evidence it's written on.
2. What is not on paper has not been said.
3. If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.
_____________________________________________________________________
A big city lawyer went duck hunting in rural North Cowra . He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.
As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing. The litigator responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."
The old farmer Peter replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."
The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial lawyers in Australia and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in North Cowra . We settle small disagreements like this with the 'Three Kick Rule'.
The lawyer asked, "What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?"
The Farmer replied, "Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."
The lawyer quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.
The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the attorney. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel-toed work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees!
His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow pie.
Summoning every bit of his will and remaining strength the lawyer very slowly managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, "Okay, you old fart. Now it's my turn."
(I love this part)
The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."
When you are educated, you'll believe only half of what you hear.
When you're street-smart, you'll know which half.
KACAK5 Management
Monday 24 August 2009
The Seed
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. 'The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.'
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.
When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,' said the CEO. 'Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!'All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot.
He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired! 'When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim,and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!'
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.'How could he be the new CEO?' the others said. Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!'
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.'Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back'
Kacak5 Management
He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. 'The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.'
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room.
When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,' said the CEO. 'Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!'All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot.
He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired! 'When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim,and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!'
Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.'How could he be the new CEO?' the others said. Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!'
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.'Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back'
Kacak5 Management
Friday 21 August 2009
Golf :- solved by a Program Manager's way!
“Through humour and knowledge resources, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers, and once you find laughter and insight, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can still survive it.”:- Albert Ho
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A Clergyman, a Doctor and a Program manager were playing golf together one day and were waiting for a particularly slow group ahead.
The Program manager exclaimed,"What's with these people? We've been waiting over half and hour! It's a complete disgrace to be behind schedule."
The doctor agreed, "They're hopeless, I've never seen such a rabble on a golf course."
The clergyman spotted the approaching green keeper and asked him what was going on, "What's happening with that group ahead of us? They're surely too slow and useless to be playing, aren't they?"
The green keeper replied, "Oh, yes, that's a group of blind fire-fighters. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime."
The three golfers fell silent for a moment. The clergyman said, "Oh dear, that's so sad. I shall say some special prayers for them tonight." The doctor added, rather meekly, "That's a good thought. I'll get in touch with an ophthalmic surgeon friend of mine to see if there's anything that can be done for them."
After pondering the situation for a few seconds, the Program manager turned to the green keeper and asked, "Why can't they play at night?"
KACAK5 Management
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Clergyman, a Doctor and a Program manager were playing golf together one day and were waiting for a particularly slow group ahead.
The Program manager exclaimed,"What's with these people? We've been waiting over half and hour! It's a complete disgrace to be behind schedule."
The doctor agreed, "They're hopeless, I've never seen such a rabble on a golf course."
The clergyman spotted the approaching green keeper and asked him what was going on, "What's happening with that group ahead of us? They're surely too slow and useless to be playing, aren't they?"
The green keeper replied, "Oh, yes, that's a group of blind fire-fighters. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime."
The three golfers fell silent for a moment. The clergyman said, "Oh dear, that's so sad. I shall say some special prayers for them tonight." The doctor added, rather meekly, "That's a good thought. I'll get in touch with an ophthalmic surgeon friend of mine to see if there's anything that can be done for them."
After pondering the situation for a few seconds, the Program manager turned to the green keeper and asked, "Why can't they play at night?"
KACAK5 Management
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Five Minutes Program Management reality
Lesson 1:
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the smelly drunken next-door neighbour.
Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to kiss me goodnight.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman kissed Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman cleans her beer smelling mouth and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand to help her fasten the seat belt.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand touch the seat belt again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129 It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Lesson 3:
A Production Planner, a Buyer, and the Program manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the Buyer. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the Production Planner. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the Program Manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?' The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Sh*t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..
Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who sh*ts on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of sh*t is your
friend.
(3) And when you're in deep sh*t, it's best to keep
your mouth shut!
THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COURSE
KACAK5 Management
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.
The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.
When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the smelly drunken next-door neighbour.
Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to kiss me goodnight.'
After thinking for a moment, the woman kissed Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.
The woman cleans her beer smelling mouth and goes back upstairs.
When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.
'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'
Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.
Lesson 2:
A priest offered a Nun a lift.
She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.
The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand to help her fasten the seat belt.
The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand touch the seat belt again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'
The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'
Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129 It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'
Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.
Lesson 3:
A Production Planner, a Buyer, and the Program manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the Buyer. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.
'Me next! Me next!' says the Production Planner. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'
Puff! He's gone.
'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the Program Manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.
A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?' The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Sh*t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..
Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.
While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.
The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who sh*ts on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of sh*t is your
friend.
(3) And when you're in deep sh*t, it's best to keep
your mouth shut!
THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COURSE
KACAK5 Management
Management Leadership
What Matters Most?
Technical competency is not the most important skill for a Program Manager. Neither
is building a good schedule, nor monitoring issues and tracking down open action
items. I can’t overstate the importance of EFFECTIVE leadership skills for a Program Manager.
Eight of the top nine characteristics are aspects of managing relationships or leading. Technical competence is the lone exception on the list.
Characteristics of Effective Program Managers by ranking
1. Leads by example
2. Visionary
3. Technically competent
4. Decisive
5. Good communicator
6. Good motivator
7. Stands up to upper management when necessary
8. Supportive of team members
9. Encourages new ideas
Poor leadership is often a cause of Program failure, and they conclude that Program Managers must combine technical competency with the ability to lead. I agree.
The more responsibility a Program Manager has, the more crucial leadership skills are to his or her success.
What Is Leadership, Anyway?
I would says, “Leadership is difficult to define but critical to Program success.”
Management studies defines leadership as inspiring and guiding,
which includes these four aspects:
1. Articulating and arousing enthusiasm for a shared mission and vision
2. Stepping forward to lead as needed, regardless of position
3. Guiding the performance of others while holding them accountable
4. Leading by example
Leadership vs. Management
Management expert Peter Drucker says,
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Leading
focuses on guiding and inspiring; managing involves organizing and effectiveness.
Effective Program Managers must be good at both to be able to deal with the fast pace
and complexity of modern Programs. Below, I’ve listed important aspects of leadership
and management to show how they complement each other.
Leadership Skills on a Program
1. Articulate a program vision and build enthusiasm for it.
2. Empower and guide the program team
3. Build relationships to communicate, motivate, and influence
4. Create a positive team environment that helps the team:
• Navigate change
• Take prudent risks
• Listen well, work together, and respect each other
• Create an identity and take healthy pride in its work
Management Skills on a Program
1. Keep the program aligned with business strategy, and with customers and users
2. Acquire and coordinate people and resources needed by program
3. Use appropriate project management tools and processes
4. Plan, monitor, and steer the project work, including schedule and budget
5. Manage risks
Take Action
We do know “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” Take action now by trying one of the following ideas.
Get healthy. A leader is nothing without a team. Creating a healthy team environment should be near the top of your priority list. Take the time out of your busy schedule to attend to the health of the team.
• Foster an environment that embraces learning, a willingness to take prudent risks, and a unique team identity.
• Recognize and support individual team members, treating them with respect. Stand up for them – the workplace can be brutal - and don’t work them to the point of burnt out
Cast a vision. Maintain a constant and clear focus on the desired outcome of the Program and the path to get there. Seeing the vision allows the Program team to focus on day-to-day activities, knowing that they are in alignment and that their individual work
will come together to make something great.
Walk the talk. Demonstrate follow-through yourself. Then give team members the support they need to deliver on their responsibilities, and hold them accountable.
Empower others. Accomplish results through the Program team rather than doing everything yourself. Leaders learn to discern when to lead the charge personally and when to delegate and then get out of the way.
Show enthusiasm! Even during those times when your personal energy has ebbed, keep the team focused and moving forward.
Remember, “The energy, attitude, and commitment of the team rarely rise above those of the leader.”
Endpoint
Program Managers face a high standard – being both a good leader and a skillful Manager. Even very experienced Program Managers have room to improve. Therefore, I challenge you to pick just one aspect of your Program leadership to improve now. When you’ve made progress on that aspect, advance to another. That first small step will start you on a rewarding, career-long journey of continuous improvement as a leader.
Casting the assignment Objective
A traveler in medieval France was walking down a road at noon when he encountered
a man chiseling a large stone. “What are you doing?” the traveler asked. The stonemason replied, “I am preparing this stone to go into a wall.” His question answered, the traveler moved on. Around the next bend in the road, he saw another
worker chiseling a stone. Again the traveler asked, “What are you doing?” The second stonemason proudly replied, “Sir, this stone will fit into the north wall of a new cathedral.” Snapping almost to attention, he continued, “I am building a cathedral to the glory of God!” The two stonemasons were doing the same work, but gave very different replies. Who cast the more compelling assignment objective?
“ The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision and objective.”
KACAK5 Management
Technical competency is not the most important skill for a Program Manager. Neither
is building a good schedule, nor monitoring issues and tracking down open action
items. I can’t overstate the importance of EFFECTIVE leadership skills for a Program Manager.
Eight of the top nine characteristics are aspects of managing relationships or leading. Technical competence is the lone exception on the list.
Characteristics of Effective Program Managers by ranking
1. Leads by example
2. Visionary
3. Technically competent
4. Decisive
5. Good communicator
6. Good motivator
7. Stands up to upper management when necessary
8. Supportive of team members
9. Encourages new ideas
Poor leadership is often a cause of Program failure, and they conclude that Program Managers must combine technical competency with the ability to lead. I agree.
The more responsibility a Program Manager has, the more crucial leadership skills are to his or her success.
What Is Leadership, Anyway?
I would says, “Leadership is difficult to define but critical to Program success.”
Management studies defines leadership as inspiring and guiding,
which includes these four aspects:
1. Articulating and arousing enthusiasm for a shared mission and vision
2. Stepping forward to lead as needed, regardless of position
3. Guiding the performance of others while holding them accountable
4. Leading by example
Leadership vs. Management
Management expert Peter Drucker says,
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Leading
focuses on guiding and inspiring; managing involves organizing and effectiveness.
Effective Program Managers must be good at both to be able to deal with the fast pace
and complexity of modern Programs. Below, I’ve listed important aspects of leadership
and management to show how they complement each other.
Leadership Skills on a Program
1. Articulate a program vision and build enthusiasm for it.
2. Empower and guide the program team
3. Build relationships to communicate, motivate, and influence
4. Create a positive team environment that helps the team:
• Navigate change
• Take prudent risks
• Listen well, work together, and respect each other
• Create an identity and take healthy pride in its work
Management Skills on a Program
1. Keep the program aligned with business strategy, and with customers and users
2. Acquire and coordinate people and resources needed by program
3. Use appropriate project management tools and processes
4. Plan, monitor, and steer the project work, including schedule and budget
5. Manage risks
Take Action
We do know “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” Take action now by trying one of the following ideas.
Get healthy. A leader is nothing without a team. Creating a healthy team environment should be near the top of your priority list. Take the time out of your busy schedule to attend to the health of the team.
• Foster an environment that embraces learning, a willingness to take prudent risks, and a unique team identity.
• Recognize and support individual team members, treating them with respect. Stand up for them – the workplace can be brutal - and don’t work them to the point of burnt out
Cast a vision. Maintain a constant and clear focus on the desired outcome of the Program and the path to get there. Seeing the vision allows the Program team to focus on day-to-day activities, knowing that they are in alignment and that their individual work
will come together to make something great.
Walk the talk. Demonstrate follow-through yourself. Then give team members the support they need to deliver on their responsibilities, and hold them accountable.
Empower others. Accomplish results through the Program team rather than doing everything yourself. Leaders learn to discern when to lead the charge personally and when to delegate and then get out of the way.
Show enthusiasm! Even during those times when your personal energy has ebbed, keep the team focused and moving forward.
Remember, “The energy, attitude, and commitment of the team rarely rise above those of the leader.”
Endpoint
Program Managers face a high standard – being both a good leader and a skillful Manager. Even very experienced Program Managers have room to improve. Therefore, I challenge you to pick just one aspect of your Program leadership to improve now. When you’ve made progress on that aspect, advance to another. That first small step will start you on a rewarding, career-long journey of continuous improvement as a leader.
Casting the assignment Objective
A traveler in medieval France was walking down a road at noon when he encountered
a man chiseling a large stone. “What are you doing?” the traveler asked. The stonemason replied, “I am preparing this stone to go into a wall.” His question answered, the traveler moved on. Around the next bend in the road, he saw another
worker chiseling a stone. Again the traveler asked, “What are you doing?” The second stonemason proudly replied, “Sir, this stone will fit into the north wall of a new cathedral.” Snapping almost to attention, he continued, “I am building a cathedral to the glory of God!” The two stonemasons were doing the same work, but gave very different replies. Who cast the more compelling assignment objective?
“ The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision and objective.”
KACAK5 Management
Wednesday 12 August 2009
A Focused Program Manager
A Program manager, hardware engineer and software engineer were in a car heading down a hill when the brakes failed. The driver managed to get it stopped by using the gears and a convenient dirt track.
All three jumped out and after peering under the car the hardware engineer said, "I see what the problem is and technically with this handy roll of duct tape I think I can fix it good enough to get us to the next town".
At which point the software engineer said, "You know what, I think we should re-boot by pushing the car back up to the top of the hill and see if it happens again".
The Program manager quickly interrupted, "No, no, no. Before we do anything we need to decide on a Gantt Chart vision for our future, figure out a plan and assign individual deliverables".
KACAK5 Management
All three jumped out and after peering under the car the hardware engineer said, "I see what the problem is and technically with this handy roll of duct tape I think I can fix it good enough to get us to the next town".
At which point the software engineer said, "You know what, I think we should re-boot by pushing the car back up to the top of the hill and see if it happens again".
The Program manager quickly interrupted, "No, no, no. Before we do anything we need to decide on a Gantt Chart vision for our future, figure out a plan and assign individual deliverables".
KACAK5 Management
The Genie
Program Management words of wisdom:-
"Through humour, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers, and once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can still survive it.” - Albert Ho 2009
__________________________________________________________________________________
Three men: a Program manager, a Planner, and a Buyer are helping out on a program. About midweek they decide to walk up and down the beach during their lunch hour. Halfway up the beach, they stumbled upon a lamp. As they rub the lamp a genie appears and says "Normally I would grant you three wishes, but since there are three of you, I will grant you each one wish."
The Planner went first. "I would like to spend the rest of my life living in a huge house in St. Thomas with no money worries." The genie granted him his wish and sent him on off to St. Thomas.
The Buyer went next. "I would like to spend the rest of my life living on a huge yacht cruising the Mediterranean with no money worries." The genie granted him his wish and sent him off to the Mediterranean.
Last, but not least, it was the Program manager's turn. "And what would your wish be?" asked the genie. "I want them both back after lunch otherwise my program will screw-up" replied the Program manager.
KACAK5 Management
Friday 7 August 2009
Fifteen Simple, Everyday Habits to Help You
If you’ve ever longed for greatness, it’s not too late. Here are some secrets for
propelling yourself out of a life of mediocrity—and they’re not what you think they are.
When you hear the word “greatness,” certain people probably spring to mind: Michael
Jordan, Albert Einstein, Obama. Think a bit harder and you’ll realize you know a few
real-life “greats” as well. Perhaps your officemate is a management whiz or a teacher at your child’s school is a genius at inspiring kids. Heck, maybe you have some hidden talent, too. If only you’d been born with that elusive “greatness gene” or raised by superachieving parents or accepted to an Ivy League college, your life would be soooo much better…right?
Wrong. Greatness has far less to do with that “one special thing” about a person than it does about his or her day-in-and-day-out habits and his or her character as a whole.
Most people think that there is some silver bullet to being great. And while it’s true that certain circumstances may give you a leg up in life, they don’t determine greatness. Your own actions do. Greatness is really about doing the ordinary, everyday things consistently well.
In other words, no matter what your past (or even your present) looks like, you have
the ability to achieve greatness—starting now. You just need to hone in on the small things you do every day—those tasks and chores that may seem trivial and unimportant—and start doing them well, all the time.
Walk your talk.
Is there an intersection between what you say matters to you and what you actually do? There should be. If you swear up and down that nothing is more important than family, but you miss every ball game or dance recital, your actions will speak louder than your words. Or if you make a grand pronouncement about living frugally but run out and buy a flashy new car the minute your neighbor does, no one will take you seriously. Nothing is more irritating than a hypocrite. It’s the opposite of greatness.
If you make a promise, keep it.
Sounds obvious, yes? Actually, it’s rarer than you think. We all know someone who makes big promises and announces lofty goals to their colleagues and friends, only to let them fall by the wayside. The secret is to make only commitments that are manageable and realistic and keep them—consistently. While saying you’ll deliver the big project first thing tomorrow (instead of 5:00 on Friday, which is what will actually happen) sounds good at the onset, your hero status will quickly falter when you can’t come through as promised. Think about it like this: While a homerun every once in a while is great, a solid base hitter is someone you can depend on. When you’re tempted to make a promise, think realistically about whether you can keep it. If you’re not sure, keep your mouth shut.
Do sweat the small stuff. (Or at least pay attention to it.)
With jam-packed schedules and busy days, it’s easy to let the little things escape your notice. But it’s those tiny details that can set you apart from the rest. Pay close attention in meetings and interactions with others and keep thorough notes on things that will be important later: Does your client have a food allergy he mentioned in passing? Remembering this tidbit for future dinner meetings shows
him you can be trusted with detail-intensive projects. Is your boss a morning person? If you’ve noticed she’s more productive in the early hours, you can plan your interactions around her schedule, getting more work done more efficiently and improving your relationship.
Plan for the worst.
It may seem a bit “doom and gloom,” but it will save you in a pinch every single time. Even if things go according to plan 99 percent of the time, it’s that other 1
percent that can really get you into trouble. Let’s say you’re working on a big project with a tight deadline. Carefully think through any obstacles that might arise and lay the groundwork for solutions, in advance. When trouble strikes, you’ll be prepared and your work won’t suffer—a true sign of greatness.
No matter how good your work has been in the past, you are only as good as your last
mistake. So think like a Boy Scout and be prepared. And if everything does go smoothly, you can enjoy being pleasantly surprised.
Align yourself with the other “greats” in your life.
Once you understand how ordinary greatness works, and how to recognize it in yourself, you’ll begin to notice glimmers of greatness in others around you. Team up with these people. Cultivate relationships with them. And it may go without saying, but be sure not to strongly also disassociate yourself from the not-so-greats who surround you. Two heads are better than one, but two great heads are phenomenal. Three, or more, are even better. You’ll find that you are much happier partnering with people who consistently build you up and keep you energized. Having teammates with like values keeps you accountable and makes your ordinary greatness extraordinary.
Always act as if someone is watching you.
It may sound like the same warning you give your kids before school, but it applies to you, too. Work every day—in your personal life as well as at your job—as though your boss were standing beside you taking notes for your evaluation. In other words, use your time wisely, meet deadlines, and don’t cut corners. You’ll be less likely to make mistakes and more likely to pick up good working habits and life skills. Your efficiency and diligence will be noticed by others—and not just at your quarterly review.
Surround yourself with people who don’t think like you.
When you meet someone who shares the same interests and ideals as you, it’s easy to become fast friends. But do those people really help you to grow in the long run? Challenge yourself to make friends and acquaintances with the people who are going to challenge you. Forming friendships with nearclones of you nurtures the person you are rather than the person you can become. Great people are able to look at the world from perspectives other than their own. That doesn’t mean they lose their own convictions; it just means they expand their field of vision. There are many rich life lessons to be learned from people who are completely different from
you.
Be known for your integrity.
Our mother was right: Honesty is the best policy. Integrity may mean owning up to a mistake or admitting a failure, but it also means the people around you can depend on you for transparency. And that goes a long way in the business world. Even when you do make mistakes, people are willing to overlook them to work with someone they know will be honest and do the right thing. Think about the “greats” throughout history and try to name one who wasn’t also a person known for his or her integrity. Coming up empty? There’s a reason!
Know when to ask for help.
Being great doesn’t mean that you have all the answers all the
time (just ask any parent!). Take the president of the United States for example: Even the leader of the free world works with experts and advisors every day before making important decisions. A big part of greatness is recognizing it in others, and knowing when their expertise is more efficient than your own. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of intelligence. It’s also a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. You’ll be able to guarantee that you can always get the job done—no
matter what your own personal level of expertise may be.
Read at least six books a year.
Sound like homework? It doesn’t have to be! Start each year by making a list of books you want to read. And if you’re not a big reader, don’t worry—pace yourself! Pick six books from all different genres and topics (and maybe slip in a fun read or
two!) including a few that you wouldn’t normally think of choosing. By the end of the year you will have expanded your horizons—you will have learned about new topics, considered differing points of view, and perhaps even developed a palette for a new writing style. Books are a great way to open yourself up to new experiences from the comfort and safety of your own home. They also help you remove the blinders you may not even know you are wearing and serve as conversation starters for meeting new people!
Keep your curious spirit.
As children, we were curious about everything in the world around us: How do things work? Why do people act a certain way? Where do things come from and how are they made? Our interest in the world around us made us great observers and spurred
the questions that grew into the knowledge we have as adults. We should hold on to our curious nature. The minute you think you know it all is the minute you close the door on your pursuit of greatness.
The more we pay attention to our surroundings and the more we increase our knowledge, the better our chances for greatness. Be an insatiable student of life.
Shape your life around your passions.
The reason is simple: When you’re passionate about something, your devotion can lead to a lifetime of dedication and practice that makes you the expert in a given field. Without that deep well of emotion to draw from, you’re unlikely to get very far. It’s pretty tough to build a great career in a profession that you feel ho-hum about. Many people try, but they usually fail. And don’t underestimate the importance of having people and interests in your life that you feel passionate about. They infuse you with energy that keeps you going when you have a rough patch in your career.
Talk to strangers.
It may seem odd, and yes, a little awkward, but talking to strangers is a great way to expose yourself to the ordinary greatness around you. The next time you are in
line at the grocery store, sitting in the airport terminal, or out walking the dog at the park, take the time to talk to someone you don’t know. You never know when you may meet someone extraordinary, and by not taking the chance to meet new people, you are passing up greatness every day!
You may be amazed at the people you will meet and the new things you will learn if you just let down your guard and say hi to the person sitting next to you. It could be anyone from a rocket scientist to a CEO to an archaeologist. Think of the connections you can make and the new things you can learn just by taking the time to get to know someone new.
Be a risk taker.
Imagine all of the things we would be living without if it weren’t forrisktakers: electricity, airplanes, even the Internet! Taking the easy route is safe, sure, but it rarely leads to greatness. Success isn’t easy, and it’s not going to come to you while you’re sitting idly at your desk. So get out there—go against the grain—you could be behind the next great discovery of something we can’t live without!
What if Benjamin Franklin had decided he wouldn’t fly his kite in the storm because it was too dangerous? Do the things that make your spine tingle and your heart race. Those are the things that are worth doing.
Practice the fine art of humility.
There’s one in every office…or family…or team. You know, the guy who likes to toot his own horn? How about the coworker who announces every sale she makes? Aside from being a little on the annoying side, her insistence on pointing out her achievements may also be a clue into her overall character. Not only does it signal low self-esteem, it may well indicate that she doesn’t have many other impressive achievements
under her belt. Ordinary greatness often goes unnoticed because the person doesn’t feel the need to broadcast her talents. Not only is humility an attractive quality in a person, it’s also a pretty good indicator into the type of person he or she is. Strive to do great work consistently and let your talents and actions speak for themselves.
Greatness is about being extraordinary in ordinary circumstances. It’s the mother of four who is always on time, the employee who gets his work done by the deadline, the friend who anticipates your needs before you do yourself. It’s about doing the small stuff, especially when nobody else wants to, and doing it well. Embrace this philosophy and in the end you’ll be like the proverbial tortoise who wins the race while those flashy, boastful hares sleep through life’s big moments of truth.
KACAK5 Management
propelling yourself out of a life of mediocrity—and they’re not what you think they are.
When you hear the word “greatness,” certain people probably spring to mind: Michael
Jordan, Albert Einstein, Obama. Think a bit harder and you’ll realize you know a few
real-life “greats” as well. Perhaps your officemate is a management whiz or a teacher at your child’s school is a genius at inspiring kids. Heck, maybe you have some hidden talent, too. If only you’d been born with that elusive “greatness gene” or raised by superachieving parents or accepted to an Ivy League college, your life would be soooo much better…right?
Wrong. Greatness has far less to do with that “one special thing” about a person than it does about his or her day-in-and-day-out habits and his or her character as a whole.
Most people think that there is some silver bullet to being great. And while it’s true that certain circumstances may give you a leg up in life, they don’t determine greatness. Your own actions do. Greatness is really about doing the ordinary, everyday things consistently well.
In other words, no matter what your past (or even your present) looks like, you have
the ability to achieve greatness—starting now. You just need to hone in on the small things you do every day—those tasks and chores that may seem trivial and unimportant—and start doing them well, all the time.
Walk your talk.
Is there an intersection between what you say matters to you and what you actually do? There should be. If you swear up and down that nothing is more important than family, but you miss every ball game or dance recital, your actions will speak louder than your words. Or if you make a grand pronouncement about living frugally but run out and buy a flashy new car the minute your neighbor does, no one will take you seriously. Nothing is more irritating than a hypocrite. It’s the opposite of greatness.
If you make a promise, keep it.
Sounds obvious, yes? Actually, it’s rarer than you think. We all know someone who makes big promises and announces lofty goals to their colleagues and friends, only to let them fall by the wayside. The secret is to make only commitments that are manageable and realistic and keep them—consistently. While saying you’ll deliver the big project first thing tomorrow (instead of 5:00 on Friday, which is what will actually happen) sounds good at the onset, your hero status will quickly falter when you can’t come through as promised. Think about it like this: While a homerun every once in a while is great, a solid base hitter is someone you can depend on. When you’re tempted to make a promise, think realistically about whether you can keep it. If you’re not sure, keep your mouth shut.
Do sweat the small stuff. (Or at least pay attention to it.)
With jam-packed schedules and busy days, it’s easy to let the little things escape your notice. But it’s those tiny details that can set you apart from the rest. Pay close attention in meetings and interactions with others and keep thorough notes on things that will be important later: Does your client have a food allergy he mentioned in passing? Remembering this tidbit for future dinner meetings shows
him you can be trusted with detail-intensive projects. Is your boss a morning person? If you’ve noticed she’s more productive in the early hours, you can plan your interactions around her schedule, getting more work done more efficiently and improving your relationship.
Plan for the worst.
It may seem a bit “doom and gloom,” but it will save you in a pinch every single time. Even if things go according to plan 99 percent of the time, it’s that other 1
percent that can really get you into trouble. Let’s say you’re working on a big project with a tight deadline. Carefully think through any obstacles that might arise and lay the groundwork for solutions, in advance. When trouble strikes, you’ll be prepared and your work won’t suffer—a true sign of greatness.
No matter how good your work has been in the past, you are only as good as your last
mistake. So think like a Boy Scout and be prepared. And if everything does go smoothly, you can enjoy being pleasantly surprised.
Align yourself with the other “greats” in your life.
Once you understand how ordinary greatness works, and how to recognize it in yourself, you’ll begin to notice glimmers of greatness in others around you. Team up with these people. Cultivate relationships with them. And it may go without saying, but be sure not to strongly also disassociate yourself from the not-so-greats who surround you. Two heads are better than one, but two great heads are phenomenal. Three, or more, are even better. You’ll find that you are much happier partnering with people who consistently build you up and keep you energized. Having teammates with like values keeps you accountable and makes your ordinary greatness extraordinary.
Always act as if someone is watching you.
It may sound like the same warning you give your kids before school, but it applies to you, too. Work every day—in your personal life as well as at your job—as though your boss were standing beside you taking notes for your evaluation. In other words, use your time wisely, meet deadlines, and don’t cut corners. You’ll be less likely to make mistakes and more likely to pick up good working habits and life skills. Your efficiency and diligence will be noticed by others—and not just at your quarterly review.
Surround yourself with people who don’t think like you.
When you meet someone who shares the same interests and ideals as you, it’s easy to become fast friends. But do those people really help you to grow in the long run? Challenge yourself to make friends and acquaintances with the people who are going to challenge you. Forming friendships with nearclones of you nurtures the person you are rather than the person you can become. Great people are able to look at the world from perspectives other than their own. That doesn’t mean they lose their own convictions; it just means they expand their field of vision. There are many rich life lessons to be learned from people who are completely different from
you.
Be known for your integrity.
Our mother was right: Honesty is the best policy. Integrity may mean owning up to a mistake or admitting a failure, but it also means the people around you can depend on you for transparency. And that goes a long way in the business world. Even when you do make mistakes, people are willing to overlook them to work with someone they know will be honest and do the right thing. Think about the “greats” throughout history and try to name one who wasn’t also a person known for his or her integrity. Coming up empty? There’s a reason!
Know when to ask for help.
Being great doesn’t mean that you have all the answers all the
time (just ask any parent!). Take the president of the United States for example: Even the leader of the free world works with experts and advisors every day before making important decisions. A big part of greatness is recognizing it in others, and knowing when their expertise is more efficient than your own. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of intelligence. It’s also a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. You’ll be able to guarantee that you can always get the job done—no
matter what your own personal level of expertise may be.
Read at least six books a year.
Sound like homework? It doesn’t have to be! Start each year by making a list of books you want to read. And if you’re not a big reader, don’t worry—pace yourself! Pick six books from all different genres and topics (and maybe slip in a fun read or
two!) including a few that you wouldn’t normally think of choosing. By the end of the year you will have expanded your horizons—you will have learned about new topics, considered differing points of view, and perhaps even developed a palette for a new writing style. Books are a great way to open yourself up to new experiences from the comfort and safety of your own home. They also help you remove the blinders you may not even know you are wearing and serve as conversation starters for meeting new people!
Keep your curious spirit.
As children, we were curious about everything in the world around us: How do things work? Why do people act a certain way? Where do things come from and how are they made? Our interest in the world around us made us great observers and spurred
the questions that grew into the knowledge we have as adults. We should hold on to our curious nature. The minute you think you know it all is the minute you close the door on your pursuit of greatness.
The more we pay attention to our surroundings and the more we increase our knowledge, the better our chances for greatness. Be an insatiable student of life.
Shape your life around your passions.
The reason is simple: When you’re passionate about something, your devotion can lead to a lifetime of dedication and practice that makes you the expert in a given field. Without that deep well of emotion to draw from, you’re unlikely to get very far. It’s pretty tough to build a great career in a profession that you feel ho-hum about. Many people try, but they usually fail. And don’t underestimate the importance of having people and interests in your life that you feel passionate about. They infuse you with energy that keeps you going when you have a rough patch in your career.
Talk to strangers.
It may seem odd, and yes, a little awkward, but talking to strangers is a great way to expose yourself to the ordinary greatness around you. The next time you are in
line at the grocery store, sitting in the airport terminal, or out walking the dog at the park, take the time to talk to someone you don’t know. You never know when you may meet someone extraordinary, and by not taking the chance to meet new people, you are passing up greatness every day!
You may be amazed at the people you will meet and the new things you will learn if you just let down your guard and say hi to the person sitting next to you. It could be anyone from a rocket scientist to a CEO to an archaeologist. Think of the connections you can make and the new things you can learn just by taking the time to get to know someone new.
Be a risk taker.
Imagine all of the things we would be living without if it weren’t forrisktakers: electricity, airplanes, even the Internet! Taking the easy route is safe, sure, but it rarely leads to greatness. Success isn’t easy, and it’s not going to come to you while you’re sitting idly at your desk. So get out there—go against the grain—you could be behind the next great discovery of something we can’t live without!
What if Benjamin Franklin had decided he wouldn’t fly his kite in the storm because it was too dangerous? Do the things that make your spine tingle and your heart race. Those are the things that are worth doing.
Practice the fine art of humility.
There’s one in every office…or family…or team. You know, the guy who likes to toot his own horn? How about the coworker who announces every sale she makes? Aside from being a little on the annoying side, her insistence on pointing out her achievements may also be a clue into her overall character. Not only does it signal low self-esteem, it may well indicate that she doesn’t have many other impressive achievements
under her belt. Ordinary greatness often goes unnoticed because the person doesn’t feel the need to broadcast her talents. Not only is humility an attractive quality in a person, it’s also a pretty good indicator into the type of person he or she is. Strive to do great work consistently and let your talents and actions speak for themselves.
Greatness is about being extraordinary in ordinary circumstances. It’s the mother of four who is always on time, the employee who gets his work done by the deadline, the friend who anticipates your needs before you do yourself. It’s about doing the small stuff, especially when nobody else wants to, and doing it well. Embrace this philosophy and in the end you’ll be like the proverbial tortoise who wins the race while those flashy, boastful hares sleep through life’s big moments of truth.
KACAK5 Management
Thursday 6 August 2009
Talking about school…
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1 : Life is not fair – get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn’t care about your Self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won’t be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault , so don’t whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent’s generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they’ll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.
If you agree, please inform others.
If you can read this -Thank a teacher!
KACAK5 Management
Rule 1 : Life is not fair – get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn’t care about your Self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won’t be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault , so don’t whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent’s generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they’ll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.
If you agree, please inform others.
If you can read this -Thank a teacher!
KACAK5 Management
Monday 3 August 2009
Embracing Imperfection
A story by a girl.
"When I was a little girl, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.
On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned toast in front of my dad.
I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologized to my dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: 'Baby, I love burned toast.'
Later that night, I went to kiss daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, 'Debbie, your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides-a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!'You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook.'
What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of GOD. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!! "
"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket but into your own."
See through God's eyes and feel through God's heart And you will appreciate the value of every soul including yourself.
Jesus loves you.
KACAK5 Management
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