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Want to Grow Fast – Learn to Network Better

Dilip — Tue, 18 May 2010 06:26:06 +0000

Do you really have to rely on your networking skills in order to grow in your organization?

This era is of networking. Business have taken to networking in order to connect with their customers because they know that it is the network that they create with their customers that will get them more and more customers. Stats have proven that networking has indeed helped businesses multiply their sales and their profits.

So when businesses have taken to networking, why shouldn’t networking play a role in your growth in an organization. And it is true that networking indeed plays a big role in your career growth in your organization.

If that is the last thing you wanted to hear then, career development is not for you.

When I as a manager, sees a vacant position in my department or, line of business as they call it these days, my worries are about the process that I will have to follow to pick the best person. Interviews, written tests etc. are the normal parts of the process and even after exercising restraints and judicious decision making, I still happen to get the wrong guy into my department. This only marks the beginning of a long and tiring journey in motivating, counseling, reprimanding etc. etc.

Interviews and discussions have more or, less become staged role-plays. The interviewee knows what will be asked and also knows what is the expected response to the question. Impressing an interviewer is not difficult if you are even slightly focused. Though there are extremely talented interviewers who are able to count the pulse of a person just by looking at the way he is responding to a question, most interviewers are not that talented and have to depend on the 1-2-3s of recruitment and interviewing techniques that they have learnt in trainings. A lot of negative aspects of the candidates, hence go un-identified and you end up picking the wrong person. The end-result – CHAOS and TROUBLE.

Why would I want to take that risk, when I have an alternate way of picking the best of the lot?

I would prefer talking to my colleagues and peers in various departments and organizations and ask them to refer candidates they think are the best fit for the role that I have in mind. Professionals, if they are and friends that they are, they would refer people they know and who have a proven track record. Though I am ruling out the possibility of a mis-fit being referred, still I would prefer this channel to the other.

This is where networking comes into the picture. If you have a strong network with your co-workers and superiors and with people in the department that you wish to get into as per your career plan, the likely hood of a referral for you by one of these is much higher and the chances of you getting the role is also much higher.

So wouldn’t you like to network better now?

In a later post we can discuss about what all are the things to bear in mind if you are to successfully network.

Going for the CAPM Certification for Your Career

Dilip — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:08:44 +0000

CAPM stands for Certified Associate in Project Management and the certification is generally for people pursuing a career in project management or, wanting to assist and improve the general success of a project as a team member in their area of expertise. The CAPM certification is an entry level certification that aspiring project managers are encouraged to begin with.

With this credential, employers and interviewers can be confident that you can efficiently carry out the jobs entrusted to you.

It also states that you are serious and dedicated about your work because obtaining a credential requires dedication and discipline.

When applying for a job, many employers will give preference to candidates with PMI certifications over a candidate who does not have any such certification. They have an idea of what to expect from a credential holder as opposed to someone else with the same amount of experience with no credential. A credential will present your resume with an edge and allow more possibilities to hone your skills and foster enough experience to eventually become a PMP.

To be eligible for the CAPM, you must fulfill certain requirements. You must have a bare minimum of a high school diploma or, global equivalent and acquired 1,500 documented hours of work on a project team, or enroll in 23 hours of project management courses. These requirements have to be completed at the time of application. You must then pass the three hours, 150 questions exam that’s based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) guide.

It is highly recommended that you prepare yourself for the exam by taking a training course. If possible, you should take courses that add to college credits or, PDUs (These are Professional Development Units that you will need to maintain your PMP credential). Courses can be very intensive and lasts about 16 to 40 hours. For best results, the exam should be taken right after the course so that information is still retained in the memory.

One should not underestimate the value of a CAPM certification. The benefits of education, experience, and opportunity it imparts to a person serious about professional advancement, commands respect and can not be overlooked. Aspiring project managers are encouraged to obtain this entry level certificate to launch their journey of becoming a project management professional.

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The Value of PMI Certifications

Dilip — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:07:59 +0000

Project management professionals from across the world, all have a goal of climbing the ladder to success while doing great things along the way and challenging themselves to see what their strengths are. They want to be acknowledged for all the hard work they put into the company. PMI certifications can fullfill this ambition that many professionals have..

PMI credentials have gained recognition throughout the world so much that regardless of where you go, you will be looked upon with admiration because you were able to obtain what many in your professional community were not.

Businesses all over the world will place you at a higher level than other workers because they trust that you are dedicated and serious to whatever projects you are given.

Not anyone who applies for a credential will become certified. PMI certification requires candidates to satisfy a set amount of extensive education and actual experience prior to taking the exam. They have to prove that they’re able to work with various project management situations.

Acquiring a PMI certification will not only allow you to be recognized all over the world for your project management skills, but you will get to benefit from other indirect effects that a credential will have.

Your knowledge of project management will increase along with your skills. Your hard work will prove beneficial as you learn more about the art of project management. Your salary may increase because you are now more knowledgeable and experienced than ever before. Your self confidence will reach new heights while your peers look upon your with high regard.

Types of PMI certifications -

There are five PMI credentials that you can apply for based on your level of education and experience.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – The CAPM contributes as team members in their area of expertise.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) – Holders of this credential are experts in project scheduling management.

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) – These credential holders are experienced in project risk management.

Project Management Professional (PMP) – The PMP leads the project.

Program Management Professional (PgMP) – The PgMP oversees, defines, and initiates multiple projects.

Each PMI certification requires a set amount of education and experience before you can take the exam. For example, PMP certification requirements include a high school diploma and 5 years of experience with a minimum of 7,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks and 35 hours of formal project management education. Applicants with a four year degree need 3 years of project management experience with a minimum of 4,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks along with the 35 hours of project management education

As you can see, meeting the requirements will need a lot of time, effort and dedication on your part. You will also have to prepare for the lengthy exams by studying hard and taking exam simulations and joining training courses.

Getting a PMI certification is not easy, but becoming a credential holder tells a lot about who you are, what you’ve done and what you’re capable of. It shows that while you were climbing the ladder of success, even though there was a higher level of step that seemed unreachable, you persevered and attained your goal because you knew how important that next step would be for yourself and for the projects that companies will entrust you with. PMI certifications can not be achieved by just anyone, but only by those who have the work ethics and determination to take on tough projects and situations.

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Can I change my Job? A Roundup of the status of the Recession

Dilip — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:54:15 +0000

Was there really a recession? Were you able to see it? Did you experience it?

I still remember a post that I had written about an year back on the job change confusion. The US economy was hit by one of the worst recessions and the Indian economy felt the ripples. Almost all the industries felt it and took some very harsh decisions including laying off a lot of employees and putting a freeze on hiring. There were not too many organizations that were interested in appraising salaries or, paying bonuses even. They wanted to remain conservative in spending and hence decided against doing any of these.

The Million Dollar Question

But the million dollar question was – Was it actually due to the ailing economy or, was it a deliberate attempt on the part of the organizations to save on the funds disguising recession?

Whatever the situation was, there was no or, very less job options available in the market and there was all-round firing happening. So the advice from any job counselor would be to stick to your current job and not look for a change.

For those of you who opted to stay with your current employer, even though pay-hikes were negligible, there is good news finally. The economy is opening up and organizations have started hiring.

The Situation Now!

The recession is finally over. Almost all economies have started recovering, including the US economy. Organizations that were in a strict cost-efficiency mode have finally decided to shed their inhibitions and re-open. Although the fact remains that recession is over and the economies are opening up, the recovery is yet not complete.

An ambiguous explanation to the entire situation. Right?

I would not want to question your thoughts because it is true. The explanation is indeed ambiguous. As a matter of fact, nobody can say it with conviction that the recession is finally over. Just as it went into a spiraling downward movement about an year back taking everybody by surprise, it could come up or, even go further down.

If that be the case how will you take a call, right now. What should be your plan of action?

The Plan of Action

Don’t take any hasty decision. Take a planned and calculated course of action. It is true that organizations like Infosys, TCS etc. have announced their ambitious hiring plans. Other organizations like American Express and Barclays are also hiring. So there is no doubt that there are a lot of opportunities. But it is advisable that your choose your career options very carefully.

If you think that your current organization is not doing too well or, that your appraisal is not satisfactory, you should look for a change. If you current status is not too good, then you can pick the next best opportunity that is coming your way. But if your current organization is stable and your role is kind of satisfying, then you should wait for a comparatively better opportunity. Till then you should stick to your current role and stay tight.

Economic situations like the one that is prevailing calls for a well-thought about career move. The volatility in the economy still remains. Think and decide.

The Importance of Perception Management

Dilip — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:35:59 +0000

The first step in perception management will be to ensure that the little time that you spend with the ones who you wish to influence is positive in all sense. Let me take the example of the regular employee. What is it that is influencing the superiors to form a negative perception about the good employee? It is the lack of interaction of this employee with his superiors, during the days that he is in office. The superiors don’t see much of him on such days and add to it the few days that he is on leave and a perception is made that the employee is never available.

How will you change the perception here? Just start interacting with your superiors a bit more on the days you are in office. Let them see a bit more of you. They will start to see a lot of you and would not miss you when you are on leave. Another thing you could do is to make people realize that you are never on leave. Before you go on a leave, make it a point to go to your bosses and engage in a chat during which you let them know that you will be on leave the next day after a long time – a much needed break.

To sum it up, the single most important and easiest way to perception management is to project a positive behavior to your superiors in the little time that you interact with them or, increase the interaction time, whichever is feasible to you.

There is nothing wrong in “Perception management”, though a few people profess that it is the wrong practice. You have been a very sincere employee but the sincerity needs to be appreciated by your superiors if you are to grow in your career. So a bit of dressing-up is not unethical.

Anger – It can help boost your career

Dilip — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:26:35 +0000

If you are wondering how anger can boost your career, then you are at the right place. Read on to know how.

Negative emotions such as fear and anger are inborn and are of tremendous importance. Negative emotions are often crucial for survival: careful experiments such as ours have documented that negative emotions narrow and focus attention so we can concentrate on the trees instead of the forest.

This is what Professor George Vaillant, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School had to say.

Anger can be both constructive and destructive. It is anybody’s guess as to which type of anger can help you boost your career – It indeed is constructive anger.

In a previous post we discussed about the importance of controlled aggression. In contrast to it, one does not need to suppress or, control his anger. Instead what is required is to channelize it properly.

What is anger?

Anger is a reaction to the feeling of helplessness, when you realize that you want to do something, but you are not able to do it.

Professor George Valliant, further has to say that,

“People think of anger as a terribly dangerous emotion and are encouraged to practice ‘positive thinking’, but we find that approach is self-defeating and ultimately a damaging denial of dreadful reality. Negative emotions such as fear and anger are inborn and are of tremendous importance. Negative emotions are often crucial for survival: negative emotions narrow and focus attention so we can concentrate on the trees instead of the forest.”

So what is required is controlled and constructive anger. But how will you ensure that your anger is constructive?

Ways of channelizing anger into constructive forms:-

Whenever you feel angry, try not to exhibit that in public. The best way to control the exhibition of anger is to tell yourself, “Relax, relax”. Keep saying it to yourself until you start to feel that your temper is lowering down.
Sit down and think, as to whose fault was it, that gave rise to the situation. Think logically for about 5-10 minutes and you will start to realize that your too were partially at fault.
We described anger as an emotion against in-capability to do something. The solution hence lies in the statement. Find what capability is it that you are found wanting for. Work towards attaining that capability – if you cannot gain it yourselves, network with people who have power and capability.

How can anger help you at work?

Most often, you get angry at work because of increasing dissatisfaction. Other reasons could be strained relationships with your superiors, excessive work pressure, inability to control certain decisions etc.

Each of these reasons can trun out to work in your favor if you learn the art of channelizing your anger in a constructive way. You will learn to network better and would be able to build stronger realtionships with your superiors, peers and subordinates. You will also learn to better manage your time and delegate work. You will start to find reasons of being satisfied, or you will look for better opportunities that provide you satisfaction. You will also be in a better situation to bifurcate professional and personal things and will learn not to bring work to home, thus bringing harmony and peace to your home.

What is your thoughts on constructive anger? What are your choices of channelizing anger in a constructive way?

Technorati Tags: channelizing anger constructively, constructive anger, motivational thoughts

Aggression – Its Importance in your career

Dilip — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:56:40 +0000

Is aggression good for your career?

Many a times I have seen people in the top management being a bit too much aggressive. I have also come across quite a few employees in the lower management levels also who have exhibited excessive aggression. How good is aggression and what level of management does it benefit?

It is good to be aggressive, especially if you are into sales and marketing. It is said that the most aggressive of salesman are the ones who are the most successful. Aggression helps a salesman in pitching for his product with full confidence. In a way he overwhelms the customer’s thought process and induces him to think the way he wants him to think, thus creating an urge for the product that he is selling. And because the customer does not have too much time to think, the salesman is able to sell his product.

Does the story end there?

It would have ended there if the customer (consumer or, market) in question was that of the 1950s. The markets have changed now to become a buyers’ market and so the story does not end there. Customers have options these days and every company knows that if they do not keep their customers happy, they will loose then to their competitors. In such a situation, aggressive selling only helps meet the goal for the moment. When the customer finally gets time to think, he will realize that it was a forced sale and he will return the product or, decide not to buy from the company anymore.

Let’s ask the question again. Is aggression good for sales? The answer would be – Controlled aggression is good for sales.

Aggression in Management -

I was attending a workshop being conducted by one the top management personnel in my organization, when suddenly a participant stood up and questioned a logic that the speaker gave. The question was valid and would have made any speaker think. The speaker in question here, got irritated, probably because the questioner was a lower level manager and was a new entrant into the organization. His response did not provide a rebuttal to the questioner, but he indirectly meant to tell the participant that he should not be questioning somebody in the top management. He, in a way wanted to make the participant realize that he was in command.

The workshop turned out to be a flop with not too much of attention from any of the participant and even a few quitting the workshop in between. Later we got to know that the feedback that the participants gave the speaker was very poor. It is worthy of mention here that the speaker was an extremely intelligent person, with immense experience in the field that he was in and was the subject of the workshop, had good knowledge about the subject, was an extremely good orator and a public speaker.

Aggression can be extremely harmful, irrespective of what position you are in, or what level of management you belong to.

“No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him.

Control your aggression. Think of a situation in your organization where both parties take to aggression. There would be no solution. Logical thinking and a logical explanation is what can help you succeed.

People Managers, especially should bear in mind that you cannot lead your people by being aggressive with them. You need to understand them, their needs and their thoughts and evaluate things logically instead of taking to aggression. A composed discussion can provide you a resolution or, a solution rather than an aggressive discussion.