In this short episode we cover a simple approach for project email communications which really works well for informing end-users and/or large groups. Full show notes on the website link https://www.pmtrainingsquad.com/2021/02/podcast-better-project-communication-email/   ========================= Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it. https://www.pmtrainingsquad.com   Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and do not represent the view of my employer.  

In this episode we talk about how you can become leaner and more efficient in your project delivery. "....I thought if anyone reads that they are going to come back to me and say what is this total garbage you've written in your document....."   The Lean Startup by Eric Ries http://theleanstartup.com/   ========================= Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it. Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and do not represent the view of my employer. These are methods I’ve successfully used and honed over many years of actual project delivery but I can’t guarantee they will work in every circumstance or for you personally. http://www.pmtrainingsquad.com

In this podcast we look at our first Epic Project Fail and take away some key learnings. How do you deliver years late and go €billons over budget?? Simple: build an airport... Sources BBC Radio 4 - In Business, The Berlin Airport Fiasco https://www.bbc.com/news/world-48527308 https://onemileatatime.com/berlin-brandenburg-airport/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-07-23/how-berlin-s-futuristic-airport-became-a-6-billion-embarrassment ============ Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it. http://www.pmtrainingsquad.com Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and do not represent the view of my employer.    

How to deal with project overload You're delivering your projects. Everything is fine. And then you're given another one. It's still fine, so then another. And then the wheels begin to fall off... How to identify if you are overloaded What problems it causes Who is actually responsible? How to deal with the situation What if it doesn't work out like you hoped? What do you do then? ========================= Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it. http://www.pmtrainingsquad.com (please note this podcast was previously called 'The Smarter PM')

In this podcast we discuss some of the merits of permanent and contract roles, and consider the factors that you might want to consider when deciding what's the right career option for you. PERM - base salary - company car - pension - other fringe benefits - training (usually paid for) - progression/transition - mentoring - redundancy - security - experience depends on employer CONTRACT - IS usually paid more - admin hassle - need to manage your own money - keep a buffer (both for the taxman and in case you are on the bench) min 6M but ideally 1yr - take renewals - evidence of this shows competence - will depend on the amount of risk you want to take - exposure to different ways of working and cultures - easy to leave a nightmare role - some people just don’t feel comfortable with permanent employment and the obligation that brings - you may get the rubbish jobs - can be a good option to see if you like the culture and then move to perm - IR35 - a UK challenge - fixed term salaried role - not such a good deal for you - agency ‘directly employed’ model - ditto   ========================= Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it.

Many people will now be working from home for the first time which, if you are used to 5 days working in the office, can be a culture shock. We look at what you need to create a productive working environment that fits in with your home life.   Broadband - plus your backup Recommended kit Working environment - separate from your home area Take breaks and get fresh air Daily routine Use meetings effectively in multiple ways Set clear targets and communicate these Tools you can use Addressing social isolation Use the phone instead of email Activities/opportunities outside work   View out the window.....Fawlty Towers :-). 0:50 sec onwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcliR8kAbzc     ========================= Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, like or give us a 5* rating on your podcast app! We really appreciate it. https://www.thesmarterpm.com/podcast11-tips-for-working-from-home/

In this episode we outline a straightforward process and approach which orgnaisations can use to help prepare for restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus / Covid19 pandemic. In particular when you have no access to your premises.   Approach / Project Phases 1. Analysis - what systems have I got, and how critical are they? How to ask the right questions to determine this. 2. Requirements - what do we need to do, in detail? 3. Delivery - implementation, what are the tasks, who is doing them and by when? 4. Test - make sure everything works as expected.   Remote control software tools TightVNC https://www.tightvnc.com/download.html Chrome Remote (free) https://remotedesktop.google.com/ GoToMyPC ($$ paid) https://get.gotomypc.com/ Teamviewer ($$$ paid)   Trello Board - Coronavirus Business Preparation (reusable template) https://trello.com/b/iVt2ZJPs/coronavirus-business-preparation/cczmark/recommend   Other tools worth considering..   Online backup services Backblaze (paid - I use this) - https://www.backblaze.com/   Password Store Make sure you keep a record of all critical system user accounts and passwords. Give at least 2 people the master password. Keep a copy of the password store offsite. Keepass V2 is great - I personally use this and have worked at organisations that use it. https://keepass.info/   Video conferencing /screen sharing Zoom meetings WebEx   IP Telephony (instead of landlines) Search for 'hosted VOIP'   Thanks for listening! Please subscribe and share this podcast with anyone who may find this of value. Visit www.pmtrainingsquad.com for more project management information.