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SIG Updates
Message
from the Chair
 Let's
start 2008 with some reflection and introspection. I think we can all agree
that PMs are supposed to be "disciplined," certainly in their work
life and quite often in their personal life. But I also think that the PM discipline
can escape us on occasion, and we end up being over-booked, in a hurry, or so
busy that we may not be able to perform at our personal best and even forget
what is most important to us.
An article that I had saved from an issue of USA Today a couple of years ago,
"Best New Year's resolution? A 'stop doing' list" by Jim Collins
(who wrote Good to Great and co-authored Built to Last), hit that
theme right on the mark. He was reminded by a former professor that while he
was indeed a busy person, he was however an undisciplined person; what he really
needed was a mechanism for disciplined thought about how to allocate his most
precious resource--time. That message was reconfirmed when he reviewed how several
key corporate transformations that had moved from mediocrity to excellence and
discovered that the cornerstone decisions were what to stop doing, and not what
to do.
I also came across a wonderful website/video, The
Twelve Tenets, from a well-know motivational speaker, Tony Robbins.
While the message is not brand new, it's a great reminder of the things we can
lose sight of if we're undisciplined. These are just what I needed to
bring me back to my passionate and disciplined center--I hope they do the same
for you!
SIG
Operations
The SIG Board will be conducting its annual planning meeting
this month in Dallas, TX. Our primary agenda item will be to review our 2008
objectives in support of our Strategic Plan and PMI's Community Transformation
initiative. We will also be working on our SIG charter renewal. While our 2008
programs fit nicely into the new performance management framework that PMI is
rolling out to its components starting in 2008, there are other aspects of the
program that we need to integrate into our operations. Hopefully, you all saw
the PMNetwork supplement in the November issue which focused on various
aspects of the CTP initiative--a link is also posted on our website.
Programs
& Education
Webinars Series - WiPM currently subscribes
to two webinar programs so that its members can view them free of charge. The
MetSIG PMO Series begins on Jan 9. Also, the Financial Services SIG webinars
agenda is currently being finalized and we'll distribute a notice when the agenda
is final. Archived sessions for both subscriptions will also be available.
WiPM
PMP® eStudy -
The WiPM PMP eStudy Group registration for our Winter / Spring 2008 session
is now closed. We are starting out with 18 participants (a full group), plus
a waitlist of four applications. The formal kick-off is Tuesday, January 15.
Any questions about the program can be directed to estudy@wipmsig.org.
eMentoring Program – The new Program Manager for the eMentoring
Program is Kari Klein. Kari is in the process of finalizing the eMentoring Program
Management Team and planning the 2008 eMentoring Program. The program is set
to kickoff in late March 2008.
SIG
Ambassador Program & International Project Management Day - The
slate of events for 2008 is currently being developed. We have had a great many
requests from both chapters as well as individual members to collaborate in
local professional development events, and we'll try to accommodate as many
as possible in the coming months.
PMI
News
Be
a speaker at the PMI® 2008 North America Global Congress
The call for presentations is now open and will close at 24.00 GMT on 20 January
2008. Individuals who would like to present at the congress are invited to submit
their proposals. For more information contact congressspeakers@pmi.org
and view
the guidelines.
Members
Disaster Relief, Inc.
In
2007, this organization
provided disaster relief assistance to PMI components and members both within
the United States as well as other countries, including the PMI®
Peru Chapter following the devastating earthquake. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable
corporation under U.S. law. If you know of any members in need as the result
of man-made or natural disasters, or wish to make a personal contribution, please
contact them directly via their website. |
Just
Stuff
Give
Your Career a Kick
One
of the most common New Year's resolutions is getting out of that job you
hate and finding your dream opportunity – the one that makes you more money
and gives you the recognition you deserve. But to achieve your goal, you
need a plan. Here
are twelve tips to give your career a kick-start. Although this article
is titled 2007, the message is just as good for 2008! What
Records Should you Keep?
What
financial records should you keep, and for how long? You can't take everything
with you, but
here are some suggestions for how long members located in the US should
keep personal finance and investment records on file.
Queen
Bee Syndrome
 The
November 19, 2007 issue of The Wall Street Journal carried an article,"Women
Get Better at Forming Networks to Help Their Climb" which debunks
the "old" image of successful female executives as loners who
shunned helping other women. The "queen bee syndrome" is the belief
that women strive for the most powerful position while excluding all rivals--the
new attitude is that women can have both powerful jobs and fulfilling personal
lives.
The Journal conducted a panel discussion with several female executives
who agreed that more women are headed for C-level offices citing several
reasons, including the track record of advancing women, women's growing
confidence in their abilities and the knowledge that if they don't fit in
a particular culture or job they can move to another. The panel also concluded
that there is a strong demand across industries for female talent, and that
women are beginning to set their own rules that make it possible for them
to balance families and careers.
One female executive pointed out that women need to seek mentors--something
they often do not do. In contrast, men have always used informal networks
to help one another get jobs and board seats.
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March
is
Women's History Month!
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Did you Know?
Ace Jugglers
Scientific research suggests women are hardwired for multitasking.
Thanks to the female hormone estrogen, which stimulates
the brain's frontal lobes, women are better able to focus
despite distractions. So give the guys a break--they can't
help being able to do only one thing at a time !
Source: Research
at Bradford University, West Yorkshire,
England
KISS
Workers who use extra-long words in their prose are seen as less
intelligent than those who write plainly. Perhaps that gives
some credence to the adage, KISS - Keep It Simple, Simon
(or substitute a word of your choice).
Source: Research by Princeton University,
New Jersey
Frazzled?
When you feel frazzled and need to instantly relax, try pondering
something meaningful to you, such as your close family,
a favorite volunteering project, something amazing that
happened to you. Reflecting on things that you cherish and
value can ease stress.
Source: A Study at University of California,
Los Angeles
Women
in Line, Staff & Clout Positions
According to researchers, feelings of persistent loneliness may
have a hereditary basis. But, regardless of your DNA, concentrating
less on making new pals and more on the quality
of your existing friendships is the best way to create a sense
of connection.
Source: Behavior Genetics Journal
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Tips &
Tricks
»How
to Use Office 2007 More Effectively
Office 2007 has a slew of lesser-known capabilities that are easy to overlook.
Read
the article>
Source: PCWorld Magazine - Weekly Brief 12/10/07
»Online
Planners
The
following online planners are also useful for those that want to have access
anywhere/anytime Internet access is available:
Google
Calendar
Yahoo
Calendar
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