Projectified

Oren Klaff, pitch expert and author of "Pitch Anything," shares invaluable insights on pitching for project leaders. He highlights pitching as a vital skill, emphasizing the importance of building a compelling vision and establishing trust. Oren discusses common pitfalls like the 'information dump' and how to structure a presentation effectively. He also delves into the neuroscience behind communication, offering strategies to keep your audience engaged and foster credibility, thus ensuring effective decision-making and buy-in from stakeholders.

Scott Berkun is a bestselling author, sought after speaker, and former Microsoft project manager. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI. In this episode Stephen discusses creativity withScott explains creativity’s often misunderstood and neglected role in project work, how to foster and apply creativity in process-oriented environments today, and why it will become even more important in the future of project professionals.   Scott describes creativity as a creation and problem-solving process within project roles. He emphasizes that the process of creation and being creative is to not only create something new but to maintain and improve pre-existing ideas. Scott discusses the importance of defining ‘good’ when it comes to creativity, the relevance of creativity in the project management role, the benefits of applying creativity to any role, and where creativity fits in an increasingly automated and digitized world.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: iTunes, Stitcher,  Google Play, or Pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Stephen provides some background on Scott and welcomes him to the podcast [1:09] What’s the deal with Scott’s hair? [2:49] Scott’s definition of creativity [5:12] Scott’s early project manager role with Microsoft [6:04] Reflecting back on his role as a project manager: Where was creativity relevant? [7:34] The importance of defining ‘good’ and who gets to define ‘good’ [11:08] Where creativity fits in a world that is becoming increasingly more automated and digitized. [14:14] Who is at greatest risk for losing their job to automation? [16:02] Creativity’s relevancy in projects in an ever-increasing automated world and how project managers can better bring creativity to their job. [20:15] The opportunities and benefits of applying creativity in the role of project management.   Links: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project

Jacqueline Van Pelt, a rising star at BAE systems, recounts her experiences in a number of project management roles and shares the deep insights she’s gained along the way. Jacqueline’s insights will benefit both up-and-coming and mid-career project professionals alike. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI.   Jacqueline is a young professional that has already amassed an impressive level of experience. She started as a consultant in the defence industry doing project management and business development consulting and is now employed with BAE Systems — a leading defence contractor where she has spent the last year immersed in a project management role and has gotten to see project management from a number of perspectives and angles. Jacqueline has a lot to bring to the community of project professionals, project managers, and those involved in PMOs and related work.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Introduction to Jacqueline and her current work [2:24] Jacqueline’s role in reinvigorating a PMO: The challenges and mission [5:19] The importance of mentorship [6:18] The biggest challenge of reinvigorating a PMO [7:42] Jacqueline’s transition from an engineer-focused mind to focusing on her interactions with people [9:07] The switch to relationship-focused PM [11:25] A window into how building these relationships began [13:19] Valuing your own perspective as a project manager [15:00] Jacqueline’s ‘backstage’ tips [17:01] Jacqueline’s basic principles when it comes to trust and building relationships [19:14] The key to building trust with those that you need to influence [20:43] Learning to ask the awkward questions [23:27] The experiences Jacqueline carried with her as a consultant into her current work [26:35] Jacqueline’s excellent mentors [29:13] Developing a leadership style

Dr. Michael Chui of the McKinsey Global Institute. Dr. Michael Chui is a technologist by training, a computer and cognitive scientist, author, and frequent speaker at major global conferences. Stephen W. Maye is your host for Projectified with PMI. In this episode, Stephen talks with Michael Chui who has conducted lots of fascinating research around automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and digitization.   Michael shares research on the impact that artificial intelligence will have on the workforce, why A.I. presents new opportunities in the project world, how it affects work and the future potential of work, and how project professionals can prepare themselves to thrive in an emergent, exciting and uncertain landscape.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:28] Steven introduces Dr. Michael Chui and he gives us some background into his work [1:40] What Dr. Michael Chui’s research has been about, the motivation behind it and the biggest surprises to come out of it [8:40] Where Michael sees the significant differences in the project world with the adoption of technological automation [12:17] The good news: Emphasis on leadership roles and developing connections with people [14:20] Where Michael anticipates the most significant impacts from automation and digitization [16:25] Where we are from a social acceptance perspective about machines and robotics [19:20] Awareness of robotics and automation adoption across the country and on socioeconomic levels [22:17] How people in professional roles will prepare for a world of increasingly smart technology [24:48] The good news for project management and project leadership: Immense value placed on leadership and motivation skills   Links: Michael Chui’s McKinsey & Company Profile

Anand Swaminathan, a senior partner at McKinsey and Stephen W. Maye talk about what digital transformation means today, why it’s important to almost every organization’s future, the role of project management and realising its benefits, the risks and challenges it introduces, and the changes it can bring to your work culture, teams and customer experiences.   Anand Swaminathan is also one of the authors of Digital @ Scale: The Playbook You Need to Transform Your Company. Anand covers some of topics in the book such as the changes in strategy that happen as part of the digital transformation, changes in culture, the organization model and operating model, as well as the changes in fundamental capabilities.   For an easy way to stay up-to-date on Projectified with PMI, follow the podcast at: Itunes, Stitcher, Google Play or pmi.org/podcast.   Key Takeaways: [1:27] What ‘Digital Transformation’ represents [3:22] What is different today in digitizing processes and the capabilities in technology [5:33] The fundamental difference between ‘strategy’ vs. ‘execution’ [7:07] The breadth of relevance of digital transformation as a modern movement [7:38] Where we should look today to see the most significant impact from an industry perspective [10:01] Going Digital: Embracing the capabilities (John Deere serving as an example) [13:47] Connection to Culture: The culture shift from digital transformation [15:22] The big red flags in digital transformation initiatives [19:36] Tailoring your digital transformation to better suit your customers [21:02] Infusing and not replacing talent; Putting together the organization ‘puzzle’ [22:11] Planning a major digital transformation program vs. Planning a large technology implementation   Links: McKinsey & Company Digital @ Scale: The Playbook You Need to Transform Your Company, by Anand Swaminathan and Jürgen Meffert