Projects Pivot
With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!
Random Things That Distract Us
Hi Reader, When I was 18, I dreamed of delivering sailboats for a living. Raised on the northern Great Lakes of Canada, I was a sailing enthusiast who never wanted to be away from water. So, naturally, I decided to become a professional boat-deliverer. Spoiler alert: it didn't pan out. I didn’t even get to deliver one boat. Instead of hopping globally from port to port, sampling cultures and ferrying fancy sailboats to sun-seeking millionaires, life steered me in a slightly different...
Rock the Role
Hi Reader, Many leaders wrestle with the timing and importance of bringing the right people onto a project. Which roles are truly necessary? When should they join? What title will they give them? It all comes down to the art of effective resourcing—or, as I like to call it, “rocking the role.” In other words, shaping the role to fit the project to make sure things actually get done. But that raises another question: What does a role really mean? And for that matter, how much does a title...
The Leaky Basement
Hi Reader, Are you a planner? If not, no worries—we’ve got your back. I’m always amazed by how many people struggle with planning. It’s not a bad thing—thinking ahead just isn’t everyone’s superpower. A good project manager friend I have a new-ish friend who can barely keep track of what she needs to do in the next hour, let alone navigate the entire month. She’s constantly asking me, “Wait, what are we supposed to do next?” For example, if we’re going on a day trip together, she’s always...
Why Start?
Hi Reader, Executives often ask me, "Why start something if we're unsure we can finish it? It just doesn't make sense." Management tends to only begin something when they know it can be completed. If it's uncertain, they put it on hold—sometimes indefinitely—missing out on what could have been. But what if you simply start with one thing? Suddenly, starting turns that idea into something real, providing insights to help decide whether to continue. Start somewhere to do something One of my...
All or Nothing
Hi Reader, Ever feel tempted to finish an entire bag of potato chips once it’s opened? I mean, it’s already open, right? And it seems logical to eat them all before they go stale. But we all know it’s healthier to enjoy them in moderation, rather than plowing through the whole bag in one go. Unless, of course, you want to deal with the tummy ache afterward. We tend to treat big projects the same way. The whole kit and kaboodle In my experience, companies often delay starting major initiatives...
No More Boring Leadership Project Presentations
Hi Reader, We've all sat through those project presentations to leadership where the Geeky PM drones on, and not only is everyone bored, they secretly message each other about how to make a quick escape. Over time, I've learned to work on five key areas to strengthen when pitching projects to leadership: Understand what's happening in the industry and market trends Look at the entire organization's priorities Financially smart decision-making Strategically thinking ahead with innovative ideas...
Communicate Project Value
Hi Reader, How do you effectively convey your project's value to leadership? You know your project is essential. You’ve spent months in the weeds—gathering requirements, aligning stakeholders, prepping for approvals. But here’s the thing: just knowing it’s important isn’t enough. If leadership doesn’t see the value clearly, your project might never get the green light. Many project managers struggle to present their work in a way that resonates with leadership. We tend to focus on what we...
Creative Project Resourcing
Hi Reader, Everywhere we turn lately, companies everywhere are facing the challenge of doing more with less—be it budget, deliverables, or people. How do you manage your project portfolio under these constraints? By getting creative. Outsource: The fastest path to project success The fastest, easiest way to build out your project portfolio while experiencing a low internal head count is to outsource some quality project management talent. When resources are limited, it can be the best time to...
Getting By With Less
Hi Reader, These are lean times. Even with limited resources, such as reduced staff due to layoffs or other reasons, projects can still be managed effectively. Although it may require a different approach than usual, success is possible. Critical resource crunch I’ve participated in many projects where it’s been challenging to pull together the stakeholders. There was one project that stands out. In the beginning, we lost key stakeholders because of a conflict between the company and its...
Automations Gone Bad
Hi Reader, Have you ever stepped inside a massive food warehouse, way larger than Costco? I have, and it was truly eye-opening. Seamless warehousing I once took a tour of a Gordon Food Service warehouse in Milton, Ontario, Canada. As one of the largest food distribution companies in North America, they have a fully automated distribution centre. It was fascinating to see the staff efficiently zipping around in carts, automatically filling orders and delivering them to the trucks. The seafood...
With decades of experience managing all types of projects, we're ready to share our invaluable tips, tricks, and tidbits. Don't just tick boxes—master the art of managing people and projects. Sign up now!