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<channel>
	<title>Virtual Project Management Consulting</title>
	
	<link>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com</link>
	<description>Project management advice, tips, tools and recommend resources for existing and aspiring project managers.</description>
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		<title>Project Management and Soft Skills</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/virtualprojectconsulting/~3/vPTtWQbHD9o/</link>
		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/project-management-and-soft-skills/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 20:24:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project manager]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project manager skills]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2891</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Project Management and Soft Skills. This article highlights some essential soft skills to ensure that a Project Management Professional can effectively manage, collaborate, and influence as needed to drive a project to successful completion.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-skills-for-project-managers/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Skills for Project Managers'>Leadership Skills for Project Managers</a> <small>Leadership Skills for Project Managers. Good leadership skills are what...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/project-management-standards-update-for-2013/' rel='bookmark' title='Project Management Standards Update for 2013'>Project Management Standards Update for 2013</a> <small>Project Management Standards Update for 2013. An overview of the...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/stakeholder-management-stakeholder-analysis-in-five-steps/' rel='bookmark' title='Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder Analysis in Five Steps'>Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder Analysis in Five Steps</a> <small>Stakeholders are critical to the success of any project and...</small></li>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/topics/projectmanagement/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2892" alt="project manager soft skills" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/stock-photo-17200729-skill-word.jpg" width="110" height="82" /></a>When a <strong>project manager</strong> starts a new project, it is important to do a check-point of both the <strong>Project Management</strong> Methodology and templates that will be used, but also the <strong>soft skills</strong> that will be required. This article highlights some essential soft skills to ensure that a Project Management Professional can effectively manage, collaborate, and influence as needed to drive a project to successful completion.</p>
<p>According to Joanna Durand, Managing Director of the Citigroup, effective leadership consists of a balance between both “hard skills” and “soft skills” that act as the conduits for success.</p>
<h2>Hard Skills versus Soft Skills</h2>
<p><strong>Soft skills</strong>, also called behavioral skills, is a sociological term relating to the cluster of personality traits and behavioral competencies that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills, also called technical skills, which are the occupational requirements of a job and many other activities.</p>
<p>Soft skills are essentially people skills &#8211; the non-technical, intangible, personality-specific skills that determine your strengths as a leader, listener, negotiator, and conflict mediator.</p>
<p>Hard skills, on the other hand, are more along the lines of what might appear on your resume &#8211; your education, experience and level of expertise.</p>
<h2>Essential Soft Skills</h2>
<p>Effective communication serves as the foundation by which all other soft skills are derived.  Mastery of communication skills will ensure broader success with rounding out your soft skills.</p>
<p>Communication skills include Oral, written and non-verbal communication.</p>
<ul>
<li>Oral: presentation, audience awareness, listening, body language</li>
<li>Written: presentation of data, critical reading, revision and editing, writing</li>
<li>Non-verbal: personal style, tone, body language and audience awareness</li>
</ul>
<p>For communication to be effective remember the five “C’s”:</p>
<ol>
<li>Clarity</li>
<li>Completeness</li>
<li>Conciseness</li>
<li>Concreteness</li>
<li>Correctness</li>
</ol>
<h2>Stakeholder Management</h2>
<p>Project success is often determined by the ability to successfully manage stakeholder expectations.   These interactions all begin with the basic communication process and an understanding of stakeholder objectives.</p>
<p>Some recommended best practices to communicate effectively with project stakeholders are:</p>
<ul>
<li>To know your audience and to customize your message according to their needs</li>
<li>To have a professional presence</li>
<li>To summarise the top 3-5 key messages</li>
<li>To acknowledge personal communication styles</li>
</ul>
<h2> How can a Project Manager’s soft skills be developed?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Set clear expectations – the team needs to be aligned as to what is being delivered. This will help with accountability and to manage changes to the scope.</li>
<li>Stage your delivery by creating interim deliverables.</li>
<li>Think ahead of what can go wrong. Anticipate problems (risks) and work with the client to find mitigation strategies.</li>
<li>Speak up and escalate when help is needed. This is a sign of confidence.</li>
<li>Skip the jargon and speak to clients in the same language they use.</li>
<li>Leverage the strengths of the team. Take time to know the team and their strengths as your project will run more effectively if the right people are working on the right things.</li>
<li>Don’t steal the limelight when things are going well and give credit to other people’s ideas.</li>
<li>Be realistic when setting deadlines. Promise what you know you can do and finish on time.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is important to understand how the basic communication process works and to appreciate the communication styles of different personality types. To grow as a p<strong>roject manager</strong> you need to consistently try to close the gap between “hard” and “soft” skills.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">For more articles about <strong>Project Management</strong> based on best practices, please subscribe to the <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><strong>Blog feed.</strong></a></span></p>
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<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-skills-for-project-managers/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Skills for Project Managers'>Leadership Skills for Project Managers</a> <small>Leadership Skills for Project Managers. Good leadership skills are what...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/project-management-standards-update-for-2013/' rel='bookmark' title='Project Management Standards Update for 2013'>Project Management Standards Update for 2013</a> <small>Project Management Standards Update for 2013. An overview of the...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/stakeholder-management-stakeholder-analysis-in-five-steps/' rel='bookmark' title='Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder Analysis in Five Steps'>Stakeholder Management: Stakeholder Analysis in Five Steps</a> <small>Stakeholders are critical to the success of any project and...</small></li>
</ol></p>
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		<title>What is PRINCE2 and How Popular is it?</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/virtualprojectconsulting/~3/t0N3gZlfHuo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/what-is-prince2-certification/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 05:30:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Knowledge Train]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prince2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prince2 training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2864</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is PRINCE2 and How Popular is the Certification. An Infographic showing the growing popularity of PRINCE2 as a Project Management qualification.<div class='yarpp-related-rss yarpp-related-none'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p>For a better understanding of <strong>PRINCE2</strong> in the <strong>Project Management</strong> context, please refer to this article:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/understanding-prince2-in-the-project-management-context/" target="_blank">Understanding PRINCE2 in the Project Management Context</a></span></p>
<p>For more information about PRINCE2 and how to implement it in your organisation, please refer to:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/understanding-prince2-and-how-to-implement/" target="_blank">Understanding PRINCE2 and How to Implement</a></span></p>
<p>Today I would like to share an <strong>Infograpic</strong> from Knowledge Train, a PRINCE2 training provider. It is about the popularity of PRINCE2 as the preferred project management qualification of choice.</p>
<p>The most recent annual figures released by APMG-International for 2012, show the number of PRINCE2 examinations taken globally rose 5% compared with 2011. The figures show more than 144,000 people sat PRINCE2 examinations in 2012 compared with 136,000 the previous year. By the end of 2012, more than 1 million candidates had taken PRINCE2 exams since 1996.</p>
<p>In fact, the total number of exams taken in 2012 was the highest on record,  and also saw record numbers of candidates take both <a target="_blank" href="http://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/prince2-training-course-foundation.php" target="_self">Foundation</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/prince2-training-course-practitioner.php" target="_self">Practitioner</a> examinations.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" alt="" src="http://A09A.http.cdn.softlayer.net/80A09A/cdn1.knowledgetrain.co.uk/blog/prince2_popularity_statistics_infographic.png" width="544" height="6270" /></p>
<p>PRINCE2 exam popularity statistics &#8211; An infographic by the team at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk">Knowledge Train PRINCE2 training</a></p>
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		<title>Project Management Standards Update for 2013</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/virtualprojectconsulting/~3/49WYItyiUKQ/</link>
		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/project-management-standards-update-for-2013/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 04:34:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA['project management professional']]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMBOK Guide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project managers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2858</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Project Management Standards Update for 2013. An overview of the changes made in the latest PMBOK Fifth Edition.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/lighter-side-of-project-management/' rel='bookmark' title='The Lighter Side of Project Management'>The Lighter Side of Project Management</a> <small>Proverbs on the lighter side of Project Management that most...</small></li>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><h2>PMBOK</h2>
<p>All <b>project managers</b> use the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide to prepare for the certification exams in order to become a <b>Project Management Professional (PMP). </b>This book presents a set of standard terminology and guidelines for project management.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/PMBOK-5th-Edition.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2859" alt="Overview of changes in new edition" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/PMBOK-5th-Edition.jpg" width="197" height="256" /></a>It was first published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a white paper in 1983 in an attempt to document and standardize generally accepted project management information and practices. The first edition was published in 1996.</p>
<p>The <b>PMBOK Guide</b> is process-based, meaning it describes work as being accomplished by processes. This approach is consistent with other management standards such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/iso-understanding-the-value-of-iso-for-your-business/" target="_blank">ISO 9000 </a>and the <a title="Software Engineering Institute" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_Engineering_Institute">Software Engineering Institute</a>&#8216;s <a target="_blank" title="CMMI" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMMI">CMMI</a>. At the beginning of 2013 the Fifth Edition was published as the latest release.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Summary of Changes</h2>
<p>This article will give a summary of the changes made in the latest edition.  At the end you will also find a link to a video from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iil.com/" target="_blank"><b>IIL</b></a> explaining what to expect in the newest edition.</p>
<p><b>As an overview the following changes were made:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>One new knowledge area (Project Stakeholder Management)</li>
<li>Seven new processes</li>
<li>Two moved processes (Distribute information, Report performance)</li>
<li>Nine process name changes</li>
<li>Eleven new process definitions</li>
<li>Many changes to the Glossary definitions</li>
<li>Chapters are now called sections</li>
</ul>
<p>The biggest change is to split Project Communications Management into two parts, namely Project Communication Management and Project Stakeholder Management.</p>
<p>There is an increased discussion of Project Management Offices or PMO’s, as well as project life cycles and phases.  The Chapter 3 Project Management Processes has been moved to Annexure A1.</p>
<p>For a complete overview of all the changes made to the PMBOK, please view the following video:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYaTMBMqWxU&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"><b>A PMBOK Guide – Fifth Edition Overview</b></a></p>
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</ol></p>
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		<title>A Closer Look at What Agile Project Management is</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/virtualprojectconsulting/~3/zyz_qsV7nwI/</link>
		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/a-closer-look-at-what-agile-project-management-is/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:05:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Agile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMI-ACP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project manager]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scrum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is Agile project management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2851</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Closer Look at What Agile Project Management is, what training is required and how to become certified.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

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<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/project-manager-the-value-of-certification/' rel='bookmark' title='Project Manager – The Value of Certification'>Project Manager – The Value of Certification</a> <small>Project Manager – The Value of Certification. A look at...</small></li>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p>Many project managers prefer to use <b>Agile project management</b> for software development projects or on projects that are too complex for the customer to understand and specify before testing prototypes. This article will explore <b>Agile Project Management</b> to understand what it is, how to receive training and how to become certified.</p>
<h2>What is Agile Project Management</h2>
<p>According to Mark C. Layton in <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Agile-Project-Management-For-Dummies.productCd-1118026241.html">Agile Project Management for Dummies</a></b>, <b>Agile</b> focuses on continuous improvement, scope flexibility, team input, and delivering essential quality products. Agile project management methodologies include scrum, extreme programming (XP), and lean.</p>
<p><b>According to Wikipedia:</b></p>
<p><b>Agile</b> is an iterative method of determining requirements for engineering and information technology development projects in a highly flexible and interactive manner. During Agile development deliverables are submitted in stages. One difference between agile and iterative development is that the delivery time in agile is in weeks rather than months.</p>
<h2>The 12 Agile Principles</h2>
<p>The 12 Agile Principles are a set of guiding concepts that support project teams in implementing agile projects. Please have a look at the <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/agile-project-management-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html">Agile Project Management Cheat Sheet</a></b> for the details of the 12 Agile principles.</p>
<p><b>A typical Agile project will consist of 7 stages:</b></p>
<ol>
<li>Stage 1: Product Vision</li>
<li>Stage 2: Product Roadmap</li>
<li>Stage 3: Release Plan</li>
<li>Stage 4: Sprint Planning</li>
<li>Stage 5: Daily Scrum</li>
<li>Stage 6: Sprint review</li>
<li>Stage 7: Sprint retrospective.</li>
</ol>
<p><b>An Agile project also consists of specific roles, namely:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Development team: Group of people who create the product</li>
<li>Product owner: The person responsible for bridging the gap between the customer, business stakeholders, and the development team</li>
<li>Scrum master: Also called project facilitator who supports the development team and keeping the agile process consistent.</li>
<li>Agile mentor: Someone who has experience implementing agile projects and can share that experience with a project team.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Agile Project Management Organisations and Certifications</h2>
<p>There are several representative organisations for Agile practitioners. Agile Alliance, the original global agile community, with a mission to help advance agile principles and practices.</p>
<p>Scrum Alliance is a nonprofit professional membership organization that promotes understanding and usage of scrum. The following professional certifications are offered by them:</p>
<ul>
<li>Certified Scrum Master (CSM)</li>
<li>Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)</li>
<li>Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)</li>
<li>Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)</li>
<li>Certified Scrum Coach (CSC)</li>
<li>Certified Scrum Trainer (CST)</li>
</ul>
<h2>PMI Agile Community</h2>
<p>The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the largest nonprofit project management membership association in the world. The agile section of PMI&#8217;s website provides access to papers, books, and seminars about agile project management. PMI supports an agile community of practice and a certification, the <b>PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).</b></p>
<h2>Agile Project Management products</h2>
<p>For project managers who want to become <b>PMI-ACP certified</b>, there is a good product from Cornelius Fichtner, the President of OSP International. It is called the <b>Agile PrepCast</b>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/108394/89627/" target="_blank"><b>The Agile PrepCast</b></a>™ is a Video Workshop that you download to your smart phone, table or laptop and watch whenever and wherever you want. It’s a podcast/videocast with in-depth video lessons for your PMI-ACP exam prep.</p>
<p>After completing <strong>The Agile PrepCast</strong>™ and passing the Final Exam you will be able to print a 21 Contact Hours Certificate and use it to apply for your PMI-ACP® exam. OSP International is a PMI® Registered Education Provider.  If you order the <a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/108394/89627/" target="_blank"><b>Agile PrepCast</b></a> in the next 3 weeks, a discount is offered. Just use the Gift Certificate “agile” when you place your order.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/108394/89627/" target="_blank"><img border=0 src="http://www.project-management-prepcast.com/images/affiliate_marketing/agileprepcast-468x60-1.jpg"/></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Project Manager – The Value of Certification</title>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:54:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA['project management certification']]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[project management career]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2829</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Project Manager – The Value of Certification. A look at the growing demand for project managers and what to consider when you want to pursue a project management career. Also recommended resources for becoming PMP certified.<div class='yarpp-related-rss yarpp-related-none'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/pmp-certified-15935079.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2833" alt="project management certification" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/pmp-certified-15935079.jpg" width="131" height="87" /></a>The demand for skilled <strong>project managers</strong> is at an all-time high as organisations continue to focus on higher productivity and greater customer satisfaction with minimum resources. <strong>Project management</strong> is a booming profession that is only going to get bigger in the years ahead.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pmi.org/pmief/learningzone/flyer.pdf" target="_blank">Click here if you are considering <b>project management</b> as a career</a> and you want more information.</p>
<p>Once you decide that you want to become a <b>professional project manager</b>, or you’re already doing the work and you want to formalise your credentials in order to be acknowledged as a project manager, you have a few choices. You can pursue a degree or diploma in <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/pm-resources/" target="_blank"><b>project management</b></a>, offered at multiple universities and institutions, and/or you can become certified by becoming a <b>Project Management Professional</b> (PMP), a title awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI).</p>
<p>In order to obtain the <b>certification</b>, you need to complete a log book as evidence of your experience and you need to pass an exam. To study for an exam while working full-time can be a challenge.</p>
<p>Here are three excellent resources from Cornelius Fichtner to help you prepare and pass the PMP exam the first time (there are people who have to sit more than once before they pass).</p>
<h3>#1 <a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/104761/89627/" target="_blank">PM StudyCoach</a></h3>
<p>The PM StudyCoach™ is a 10-week long self-study coaching course in which you will receive and learn what it is exactly that you have to study week after week.</p>
<p>The benefits of this course are that it helps you to stay focused, to apply best practices, to make studying a routine. It also keeps up your study morale and it guides you to a proven plan. The coaching sessions are in MP3 format and it provides activity checklists.</p>
<h3>#2 <a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/104731/89627/" target="_blank">PMP Exam eFlashCards</a></h3>
<p>Now that people can surf the net with the use of their phones, laptops, androids and other gadgets that fit their lifestyle, you no longer require thick sets of paper for flashcards. With eFlashCards™ you can do reviews while in the elevator, during your break time, or waiting for the bus. They run on your iPod®, BlackBerry® and most other smartphones.</p>
<p>The benefits of the FlashCards are that they make repetitive learning fun and fast. More of your senses are engaged in the learning process. You can study anytime and anywhere .The digital flashcards can be downloaded for your iPod, Blackberry, Windows mobile device or smartphone and they include all the chapters of the <i>PMBOK® Guide</i> 4<sup>th</sup> Edition.</p>
<h3>#3 <a target="_blank" href="http://nanacast.com/vp/104827/89627/" target="_blank">The PM Exam Simulator</a></h3>
<p>This offers you the opportunity to take 9 computer-based sample PMP® Exams before heading out for the real thing.</p>
<p>The benefits are that you practice under test conditions, learn to manage your exam time effectively, to gain confidence and most importantly that you are ready to take the exam. With 1800 realistic PMP exam questions and detailed explanations for all answers, you can make certain that you pass the exam!</p>
<p>If you have more questions about following a <b>career in project management</b>, you are welcome to email me at:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="mailto:linky@virtualprojectconsulting.com">linky@virtualprojectconsulting.com</a></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Subscribe to <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>RSS</strong> </span></a>for more project management articles in future.</span></p>
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		<title>Project Management: How a PMO Can Make a Difference</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 05:20:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PMO]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Project Management Office]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2798</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Project Management: How a PMO Can Make a Difference by having a vision, proper goal and delivering value to the organisation.<div class='yarpp-related-rss yarpp-related-none'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/stock-photo-19469355-PMO.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2800" alt="PMO" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/stock-photo-19469355-PMO.jpg" width="136" height="129" /></a>Recently I attended a Virtual Conference hosted by the International Institute of Learning (IIL). A presentation by James C. Brown about how a <b>PMO</b> can make a difference was very insightful. Today I want to share some of what I have learned from him about <b>Project Offices</b> and the value that they bring.</p>
<h2>PMO Perceptions</h2>
<p>Often there are many perceptions about <b>Project Management Offices (PMO’s)</b> in organisations. They are considered to be ‘Report Generators’, ‘Process Creators’, ‘Infastructure builders – building and maintaining costing, time-keeping and scheduling tools etc’, ‘Dashboard/Scorecard experts’, ‘Organisational home of Project/Program managers’, ‘process police’ and so on.</p>
<p>In reality a <b>PMO</b> is and should be much more than any of the above. Let’s take a closer look at what the <b>goal of the PMO</b> should be.</p>
<h2>Goal of a PMO</h2>
<p>According to James Brown and the research that he has done, the <b>goal of a PMO</b> is the following:</p>
<p><strong>“The right information at the right time in the right hands.”</strong></p>
<p>For a <b>PMO</b> the commodity is information. How a <b>PMO</b> manages and communicates that information to others so that they know where it is, have it at the right time, and it’s pertinent to them to use it, interact with it, and make decisions with it, is the key to success.</p>
<p>When you want your <b>PMO</b> to deliver real value, you need to make Portfolio Management your goal. This would include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Strategy development</li>
<li>Revenue planning and budget development</li>
<li>Functional resource management</li>
<li>Project execution</li>
</ul>
<p>And how all of the above relate to one another.</p>
<p>James Brown states that for a <b>PMO</b> to be successful, the PMO needs to make life easier for the stakeholders by providing data that they need for decision making and making visible what projects have done for the organisation at any given time.</p>
<h2>Types of PMO’s</h2>
<p><b>Traditionally there are 3 types of PMO’s:</b></p>
<ol>
<li>Auditing – responsible for auditing methodologies and compliance with quality and standards.</li>
<li>Enabling – to improve the maturity and effectiveness of project leaders</li>
<li>Executing – actively engaged in implementations, responsible for facilitating and doing project work.</li>
</ol>
<p>The ultimate vision, according to Brown, is to be a bit of all these types, but being flexible depending on the needs of the organisation.  For a <b>PMO</b> to survive it should become agile, which means it must learn to adapt and overcome challenges.</p>
<p><strong>Some critical success factors for successful PMO’s are:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>To support the vision of the Leadership team (innovation, cost savings, growth etc)</li>
<li>Focus on value delivered from a stakeholders point of view</li>
<li>Support decision management with data that matters to stakeholders</li>
<li>To improve forecast capabilities</li>
<li>To provide near real-time data that is always accessable</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #333399;"> Subscribe to <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><strong>RSS</strong> </a>for more project management articles in future.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Please share in the comments section if your organisation has a PMO and what your perception is of <b>the value that your PMO delivers</b>.</span></p>
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		<title>Leadership Style – Servant Leadership and Communication</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:55:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Leadership Style - Servant Leadership and Communication. How Servant Leaders use communication and conflict resolution skills to help people grow.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

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<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-is-servant-leadership-the-answer/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Styles &#8211; Is Servant Leadership the Answer?'>Leadership Styles &#8211; Is Servant Leadership the Answer?</a> <small>Leadership Styles - Is Servant Leadership the Answer? Servant leadership...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-the-vision-of-a-servant-leader/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader'>Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader</a> <small>Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader. If servant...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-servant-leadership/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership'>Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership</a> <small>Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership. A look at another leadership...</small></li>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><b>By Bill Flint</b><b></b></p>
<p>This article is part of a series of <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/topics/leadership/" target="_blank"><strong>Leadership Style</strong></a> articles about <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-servant-leadership/" target="_blank"><strong>Servant Leadership</strong>.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/servant-leadership-ahead.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2740" alt="Servant Leaders Communication and Conflict Resolution skills" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/servant-leadership-ahead.jpg" width="152" height="100" /></a>One of the most common challenges in today’s work-place, is to find the time to improve on <strong>communication</strong> and conflict resolution skills.</p>
<p><strong>Leaders</strong> complain about people being lazy or not doing their jobs right, or people complain about the <strong>leaders </strong>being so busy that they don’t have time to spend with their people.  The workforce complains their <strong>leaders</strong> don’t set expectations, don’t ask for feedback and don’t really care about them. Then we wonder why companies have a gap between their vision and the results they are achieving. Everything in life and business revolves not just around <strong>communication</strong> but the “right kind of communication.”</p>
<h3>Communication is the # 1 problem in almost all businesses</h3>
<p>Why is <strong>communication</strong> considered as the main problem in many businesses?</p>
<ul>
<li>It keeps the people and the organization from reaching their potential.</li>
<li>It’s not because people aren’t talking, but in most cases, it’s the “wrong kind” of communication or a “lack of the right kind.”</li>
<li>People are talking at each other, but not getting through.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Servant Leaders and communication</h3>
<p>What <strong>Servant Leaders</strong> have learned about great communication is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Setting Goals</li>
<li>Helping people understand what is expected and why?</li>
<li>What they will be measured by?</li>
<li>Performance reviews—how they are doing, what are they doing well and the areas they need to improve on.</li>
<li>Asking people for their ideas and suggestions.</li>
<li>Providing, inspiration, encouragement and motivation.</li>
<li>Discipline</li>
<li>Conflict Resolution</li>
<li>I’m your <b>“coach not your boss.” </b>I’m here for you<b>.</b></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000080;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Servant leaders know it’s their goal to “help both the people and the bottom line  grow.&#8221; </span></b></span></p>
<p>It&#8217;s not an either or. You need both for a business and its people to build a sustainable competitive advantage.</p>
<h3>Communication and Conflict Resolution</h3>
<p><strong>Servant Leaders</strong> need to realize about communication and conflict resolution:<span id="more-2759"></span></p>
<p>•      It’s what leaders do every day. If you’re not, potential is being wasted.</p>
<p>•      A business thrives on<b> communication with its people and customers.</b></p>
<p>•      <strong>Communication</strong> moves the company forward, stops it in its tracks or slows it down to a crawl.</p>
<p>•      It creates or removes barriers that prevent people from accomplishing their work.</p>
<p>•      Without good <strong>communication</strong> decisions cannot be made, tasks cannot be carried out and goals cannot be achieved.</p>
<p>•      Done poorly it creates stress and frustration between leadership and the people they have been called to lead.</p>
<p>•      Silos are created if there is not open and honest <strong>communication</strong>.</p>
<p>•      If done poorly mistakes and problems are hidden.</p>
<p>•      If <strong>communication</strong> between leaders and their people is non-existent, often people’s minds are left to guess why things are the way they are.</p>
<p>•      <b>When times are bad </b>or there is uncertainty,<b> more communication is needed not less. </b>Too many leaders<b> hide when trouble comes.</b></p>
<p>•      <b>Actions must match</b> <strong>your communication.</strong>  If not it will make things worse.</p>
<p><b>Servant leaders have learned</b> if you want to build relationships with your people, and help them grow you must “really get to know them.” What are their goals, their talents and skills, their potential and how you as the leader can help them grow. For this to happen, real communication needs to take place. <b>Not just a hello in the morning or a once a year performance review.</b></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Please subscribe to the <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank">RSS </a>for more leadership and project management related articles.</b></span></p>
<p><strong>About the author:</strong> Bill Flint is the founder, president, and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.servantleaders.org/" target="_blank">Flint Strategic Partners</a> located in Goshen, Indiana. His firm provides servant leadership training, strategic planning and sales and marketing strategy and implementation. He is also the author of the best-selling book, <b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Journey To Competitive Advantage Through Servant</span></b> <b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Leadership.</span></b></p>
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<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-the-vision-of-a-servant-leader/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader'>Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader</a> <small>Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader. If servant...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-servant-leadership/' rel='bookmark' title='Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership'>Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership</a> <small>Leadership Styles – Servant Leadership. A look at another leadership...</small></li>
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		<title>Closing a project prematurely – is it right?</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/virtualprojectconsulting/~3/9ufuwCNpFBs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/closing-a-project-prematurely/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:59:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Project Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business case]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project documents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project management principles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project manager]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2776</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Closing a project prematurely - is it right? A fundamental principle of project management is that a project must have continued business justification. Without it, you are guaranteed to waste both precious time and money.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><b>By Simon Beuhring</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2779" alt="Closing projects prematurely" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/closing-a-project-prematurely-300x240.jpg" width="257" height="206" /></a>Have you ever worked on a <b>project</b> which lost sight of its goals? Or worse, worked on a <b>project</b> where the goals were never clearly defined?</p>
<p>If so, then join the club of <b>projects</b> which have been a waste of money.</p>
<h2>Recipe for disaster</h2>
<p>Too many times <b>projects</b> are started based upon loosely defined objectives. The most important <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/5-essentials-for-explaining-projects-to-stakeholder/">stakeholder</a> on a project – the sponsor &#8211; authorizes such projects and then sits back thinking their job is done. <b>Project managers</b> are then left with the job of delivering the project, often without further input from the sponsor. This is a recipe for disaster.</p>
<h2>Business justification</h2>
<p>A fundamental <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whatisprince2.net/prince2-principle-continued-business-justification.php">principle of project management</a> is that a <b>project</b> must have continued business justification. Without it, you are guaranteed to waste both precious time and money.</p>
<p>This means that the sponsor must be involved from the very beginning in defining the reasons for doing the <b>project</b>. This means being clear about the business problem(s) you are facing, or the business opportunity which is presenting itself.</p>
<h2>Business Case is the key</h2>
<p>The most important of all <b>project documentation</b> is the Business Case. This document outlines the reasons for doing the project and the expected benefits which will result from the project. It should contain an investment appraisal where the costs and risks are weighed up against the expected benefits.</p>
<h2>Deliverables help realise benefits<span id="more-2776"></span></h2>
<p>On all projects, the <b>project</b> will deliver one or more deliverables which will then be used by the organization in its daily work. The use of these deliverables will enable it to realize the expected benefits.</p>
<p>For example, an I.T. system might be introduced because it is expected to raise the efficiency of the staff. These efficiencies in turn will help realize benefits which might be measured in the form of cost savings. Therefore the Business Case must weigh up these costs and associated risks against the expected benefits. If the costs and risks outweigh the benefits then the <b>project</b> should never be initiated.</p>
<h2>Business Case review</h2>
<p>So, although a <b>project</b> can be started if a robust Business Case exists, it should also be stopped if circumstances change and the project no longer offers a worthwhile investment. For example, suppose the costs of the new I.T. system increase to such an extent that by continuing with the project the costs and risk are higher than the expected benefits. In this case the project should be stopped even though this might result in writing off the investment to date.</p>
<p>This is often preferable to continuing to throw bad money after good.</p>
<h2>Involve your sponsor</h2>
<p>So how do we ensure that the correct decision to close the project prematurely can be taken? The answer lies in involving the <b>project sponsor</b> on a regular basis so they can review the current Business Case and take appropriate decisions.</p>
<p>This in turn requires that the <b>project manager</b> updates the Business Case on a regular basis and presents the updated version to the sponsor for a decision.</p>
<h2>Educate your sponsor</h2>
<p>This often requires the <b>project manager</b> to educate the sponsor in some of his/her responsibilities. Whilst this in itself is often fraught with dangers, it’s always a better option than delivering a project only to subsequently find it had stopped being worthwhile some time previously.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333399;">Have you worked on a project which should have been prematurely closed? Please respond in the Comments and tell us about your projects.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Please subscribe to the <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>RSS</strong><strong> feed of Virtual Project Consulting</strong></span></a> not to miss future posts.</span></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://plus.google.com/111822630856522955853/about" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-2780 alignleft" alt="Simon Buehring" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/simons-photo.jpg" width="127" height="127" /></a><b>About the author</b>: <a target="_blank" href="https://plus.google.com/111822630856522955853/about">Simon Buehring</a> is the founder and Managing Director of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/">Knowledge Train</a> which is a PRINCE2® accredited training organization based in the UK. PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of the Cabinet Office.</p>
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		<title>Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader</title>
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		<comments>http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-the-vision-of-a-servant-leader/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:10:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership qualities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[servant leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[type of leader]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vision]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is servant leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/?p=2749</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Leadership Styles: The Vision of a Servant Leader. If servant leadership is going to be successful, leadership must be committed to the journey and the changes that everyone in the company will need to make in the way they lead, interact, and think about the people they lead.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><b>By Bill Flint</b><b></b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/topics/leadership/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2739" style="border: 1px solid white;" alt="Vision of a Servant Leader" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/vision-is-that-way.jpg" width="149" height="115" /></a>As part of a series of articles about <b>Leadership Styles</b>, today&#8217;s post is about the vision of a <b>Servant Leader.</b></p>
<p>The best strategy to achieve organizational goals and create competitive advantage is by developing an environment of caring, mutual trust, and respect between the leaders and the people by focusing their efforts and strategy on developing the full potential of all associates and the business, therefore creating a winning partnership.</p>
<h2>Servant Leaders Live Their Vision By:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Treating people as the most important asset in the company</li>
<li>Seeing people not as they are today but their potential</li>
<li>Realizing people are more important than tasks</li>
<li>Measuring their own success by the success of those they lead</li>
<li>Knowing leadership is about building relationships throughout the company</li>
<li>Impacting people’s lives by mentoring and coaching</li>
<li>Setting goals, objectives, actions, and measurements, with accountability for the results</li>
<li>Leading not just with their words but with their actions and modeling the behavior</li>
<li>Believing it is the responsibility of leaders to make a difference in people’s lives</li>
<li>Encouraging, inspiring, and motivating their people</li>
</ul>
<p>When you see the definition and vision of a <b>servant leader</b>, it seems it should be something every leader and every company would want to embrace. It’s hard to argue with developing leaders who exhibit such skills, abilities, vision, and philosophy for leading others. But for many, it’s hard for them to understand the importance and make <b>servant leadership</b> a way of life.</p>
<p>Often when companies have tried to start new initiatives to improve relationships with their people, it has failed, because there is no real strategy or plan for developing and implementing a process. Real change takes time, patience and perseverance to make the needed people and culture improvements.</p>
<p>They look at it as a program and not as an on-going process. Programs are usually looked at as something short term, while process-building is for the long term. If <b>servant leadership</b> is going to be successful, leadership must be committed to the journey and the changes that <i>everyone</i> in the company will need to make in the way they lead, interact, and think about the people they lead.</p>
<h2>Success Factors for Servant Leadership</h2>
<p>Some of those changes will require a commitment that causes leaders to learn how to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Balance the leadership of the people with the stewardship of the company.</li>
<li>Establish the expectations with their leadership for this new servant leadership style.</li>
<li>Obtain support by all senior leadership (from the top), or it will not work</li>
<li>Ensure leaders, supervisors, and middle -managers who won’t support it or cannot change leave the company.</li>
<li>Realize it is a journey and not a quick fix.</li>
<li>Communicate the process and the strategy to the total workforce, so they know what is happening and will hold you accountable for making it happen.</li>
<li>Expect scepticism from some associates.</li>
<li>Remove the barriers that keep people and the company from reaching their goals.</li>
<li>Empower your people.</li>
<li>Dramatically improve communication up and down the chain; communication will be the glue that makes it work.</li>
<li>Build real relationships with those they lead.</li>
<li>Make resolving conflict “job one,” because there will be plenty of conflicts as you implement this strategy.</li>
<li>Move your company from reactive to proactive in its personality.</li>
<li>Position people as problems solvers, not problems in the mind of all the leaders.</li>
<li>Develop an atmosphere of innovation and imagination.</li>
<li>Make motivating, encouraging, inspiring, and energizing your people the new normal.</li>
<li>Train and teach to build your associates into a team of champions.</li>
<li>See problems as opportunities.</li>
<li>Concentrate on developing the potential of your people.</li>
<li>Set goals, objectives, actions, and measurements, with accountability for the results. Build a sense of community, where everyone is pulling together to build your competitive advantage.</li>
<li>Train, teach, and learn over and over.</li>
<li>Remember there will sometimes be pain in the journey, but it will be worth it.<span id="more-2749"></span></li>
</ul>
<p>Change is never an easy journey. When the implementation of <b>servant leadership principles</b> isn’t going as fast or as well as you would like, there will be those who say it isn’t going to work. There will be leaders and people who won’t catch or support the vision, and they will need to change or move on. As we know, anything worthwhile is never easy.</p>
<p>But if your team will truly work together to create a collaborative effort and develop their potential and that of the company, you will create a competitive advantage that will confuse your competitors, as they try and figure out how you are accomplishing your success, how you are beating them in the marketplace, and why your customers love you so much.</p>
<h2>Results from Servant Leadership Vision</h2>
<p>As you implement your <b>servant leadership principles</b>, you will begin to see people in a new way, and best of all, you will begin to see a new excitement among your people. Your turnover problems will start to improve, and your vision of becoming the best place in the area to work will become a reality. You will create the security for the workforce and the company that you have always desired. Not only will the smiles of your people become brighter, but the results of your business will begin to improve.</p>
<p>If you can capture this <b>vision for leadership</b>, you will notice a change. You will start to feel less stress and frustration, knowing you and your companies are making a difference in the lives of people. This will give you the true joy and happiness all of us desire: the kind that is achieved by making a difference in the lives of the people God has placed in your path. This is the kind of joy and happiness money, job titles, power and fame can never buy!</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Subscribe to the <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>RSS</b> </span></a>for more articles about Leadership and Project Management best practices.</span></p>
<p><strong>About the author:</strong> Bill Flint is the founder, president, and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.servantleaders.org/" target="_blank">Flint Strategic Partners</a> located in Goshen, Indiana. His firm provides servant leadership training, strategic planning and sales and marketing strategy and implementation. He is also the author of the best-selling book, <b>The Journey To Competitive Advantage Through Servant</b> <b>Leadership.</b></p>
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		<title>Leadership Styles – Is Servant Leadership the Answer?</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:27:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Linky</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership qualities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership style]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[servant leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[type of leader]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is servant leadership]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Leadership Styles - Is Servant Leadership the Answer? Servant leadership is about working to eliminate conflict through good communication, listening to other people’s ideas, and being civil in the way we treat those with ideas we don’t agree with, so we can reach agreement for the good of the people we lead.<div class='yarpp-related-rss'>

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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- Start Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><!-- End Shareaholic LikeButtonSetTop Automatic --><p><b>By Bill Flint</b><b></b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/topics/leadership/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2742" style="border: 1px solid white;" alt="Is Servant Leadership the answer?" src="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/servant-leadership.jpg" width="150" height="100" /></a>When we look at the state of our economic climate, politics, and the decline in trust people around the world have for their leaders, it becomes obvious that there needs to be a new direction and emphasis on the right <b>kind of <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/topics/leadership/" target="_blank">leadership</a></b>.</p>
<p>Almost every night on TV, we see the despair people feel around the world because <b>leadership</b> isn’t<b><i> </i></b>working. In countries where leaders have used the power of the “big stick and control” <b>leadership</b> model to try and control their people, we see individuals willing to die in the streets to bring about change.</p>
<h2>What is the answer to this leadership crisis?</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/leadership-styles-servant-leadership/" target="_blank"><b>Servant leadership</b></a> is about working to eliminate conflict through good communication, listening to other people’s ideas, and being civil in the way we treat those with ideas we don’t agree with, so we can reach agreement for the good of the people we lead. This <b>leadership style</b> could be the answer.</p>
<p>Leaders are forgetting that<b> leadership</b> is <i>always</i> about the<b></b>people. That<b> </b>doesn’t mean people will always get what they want, but even medicine that doesn’t taste well can make you feel better. We need <b>leaders</b> who really care about us, who will be honest, explain what needs to be done, and tell us the pain and the sacrifices we must go through and the actions needed to make things better. We need <b>leaders</b> who can develop a three-year strategy, instead of throwing abandon to the wind and coming up with a new program all the time to satisfy special interests and try to give us false hope.</p>
<h2>How will Servant Leadership be an answer to the problems?</h2>
<p>What kind of <b>leadership</b> is needed to bring about the changes we desperately need?</p>
<p>Who are <strong>Servant Leaders</strong> in Business?<b> </b></p>
<p>Men and women who bring their purpose, passion, and character, and when combined with their God-given skills and abilities for <b>leadership</b>, bring out the best in people, helping a business develop and implement a sustainable process for success.</p>
<p><b>To Develop This Type Of Business Environment Requires Several Things <span id="more-2734"></span><br />
</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Businesses must learn to embrace the vision and principles that <b>servant<i> </i>leaders</b> bring to a business and the people who work there- building true caring relationships with the people they lead.</li>
<li>Most businesses need to be taught what <b>servant leadership</b> is about and how it can make a difference. We have somehow convinced ourselves that business and our feelings in business and life should be different and separate, that what works in building relationships in life won’t work in a business setting. Leaders must realize that people are people and encouragement, caring, listening, relationships, and sense of community works everywhere.</li>
<li>Businesses need to establish <b>servant leadership principles</b> and philosophies as a goal for their leaders and then hold them accountable for becoming a servant leader. It must become a way of life and be sustainable.</li>
<li>Only people with <b>leadership</b> ability and potential, who clearly understand the leadership expectations for them, should ever be put in leadership positions.</li>
<li>Businesses must establish the training (teaching), coaching, and mentoring process that helps develop <b>servant leaders</b>. They must remember it is a journey and not an event. The training process must be one that is sustained no matter what is happening in the business.</li>
<li>Leaders need to embrace <b>servant leadership</b> as something they aspire to become.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Please tell us in the comment section if you agree that <b>Servant Leadership</b> is the answer to our leadership problems.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Subscribe to the <a href="http://www.virtualprojectconsulting.com/feed/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>RSS</b> </span></a>for more articles about Leadership and Project Management best practices.</span></p>
<p><strong>About the author:</strong> Bill Flint is the founder, president, and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.servantleaders.org/" target="_blank">Flint Strategic Partners</a> located in Goshen, Indiana. His firm provides servant leadership training, strategic planning and sales and marketing strategy and implementation. He is also the author of the best-selling book, <b>The Journey To Competitive Advantage Through Servant</b> <b>Leadership.</b></p>
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