Let the light pierce through the darkness Close all old accounts, turn a new leaf Re-learn that old lesson of friendship Kill nor be killed, settle for lessening Amidst us of this fossilized hatred
Technology Update
Perhaps that time has not come yet when our, Gods would listen to the beats in our hearts, peace and happiness spread their glow, perhaps we would have to force Mother Time?.
Change Management – Coping With Change
Clive Sexton asked:
Change Management is one of the most common reasons why organisations from the Private or Public Sectors approach Impact Executives for Interim Managers, who are skilled at handling the most complex of change management programmes, sometimes across different geographies.
Change can occur for lots of different reasons, from the challenges of growth that an organisation is facing, changing global markets, changes in strategy, technological change, competitive processes including M&A, customer pressures or shifting markets.
Research shows that organisations are undergoing major change on average every 3 years, whilst smaller changes are occurring almost continually, and there are certainly no signs in the current economic climate that this will alter. Whilst each change is unique, Interim Managers can introduce different models; the two frequently adopted are either Lewin and Beer or Shaw’s model.
But at the end of the day an Interim Manager has seen it all before and can draw on their immense experience, bringing with them sound programme and project management experience. They will understand how to pre-empt stakeholder concerns and possess the leadership skills to effectively communicate, facilitate and coach those resistant to change. Hand-holding those who require it to cope with change, together with all the issues surrounding re-alignment, performance management and motivation. Above all, they will remember that everyone reacts differently to change and has differing fundamental needs that have to be met. Change often involves a loss and people go through a ‘loss curve’ where expectations need to be managed realistically and fears need to be addressed.
Change management will often involve Interim managers playing a leading role in introducing new structures and systems. Above all a seasoned Interim Manager will deliver a Change Programme on time and on budget.
Impact Executives
Change Management
Change Management is one of the most common reasons why organisations from the Private or Public Sectors approach Impact Executives for Interim Managers, who are skilled at handling the most complex of change management programmes, sometimes across different geographies.
Change can occur for lots of different reasons, from the challenges of growth that an organisation is facing, changing global markets, changes in strategy, technological change, competitive processes including M&A, customer pressures or shifting markets.
Research shows that organisations are undergoing major change on average every 3 years, whilst smaller changes are occurring almost continually, and there are certainly no signs in the current economic climate that this will alter. Whilst each change is unique, Interim Managers can introduce different models; the two frequently adopted are either Lewin and Beer or Shaw’s model.
But at the end of the day an Interim Manager has seen it all before and can draw on their immense experience, bringing with them sound programme and project management experience. They will understand how to pre-empt stakeholder concerns and possess the leadership skills to effectively communicate, facilitate and coach those resistant to change. Hand-holding those who require it to cope with change, together with all the issues surrounding re-alignment, performance management and motivation. Above all, they will remember that everyone reacts differently to change and has differing fundamental needs that have to be met. Change often involves a loss and people go through a ‘loss curve’ where expectations need to be managed realistically and fears need to be addressed.
Change management will often involve Interim managers playing a leading role in introducing new structures and systems. Above all a seasoned Interim Manager will deliver a Change Programme on time and on budget.
Impact Executives
Change Management
Microsoft Project Management Training
sheila Mulrennan asked:
As the need for project management courses is becoming more and more prevalent, quite a number of courses with more up-to-date training are being offered. Global Knowledge, the leader in information technology instruction, for example, has recently opened project management courses that feature Microsoft Office Project product training. These courses are expected to provide managers with the project management knowledge they need to compete in this IT-driven industry.
About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge, the company offering the new Microsoft project management courses, offers its IT courses via training centers, the Web, and private venues. Having a variety of learning environment choices has allowed Global Knowledge to give its customers to freedom to choose when and where they want to learn.
The company currently offers more than 700 courses on a wide variety of topics. Global Knowledge has courses on subjects like IT security, Oracle, networking, and Cisco. Global Knowledge is based in North Carolina, but has training centers in countries all over the world, from the US to France to Singapore.
About Microsoft Office Project products
Microsoft’s project management applications, Microsoft Office Project and Microsoft Office Project Server, are a part of the Microsoft Office Enterprise Project Management software solution. Microsoft Office Project has been touted as top-of-the-line project management software. It is used to assist managers in creating project plans, managing resources, and keeping track of project progress. Microsoft Office Project Server allows project teams to collaborate on project plans and effectively manage their work.
All about the courses
The new project management courses being offered by Global Knowledge are called “Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007” and “Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007.” Each course lasts four days and has a total load of 40 Professional Development Units (PDUs). The project management courses are also offered over a three-day period, with a total load of 18 PDUs.
Upon completing each project management course, students can earn Microsoft certification. In the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 course, students receive Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification for Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 upon passing the exam. Certification for Enterprise Product Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 can be attained by passing the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 boot camp. These two certifications that can be acquired through Global Management’s new project management courses have been approved by the Project Management Institute.
In these project management courses, students will learn how to go through all of the project management steps – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing – and use Microsoft Office Project 2007 and Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 to facilitate the entire process. More specifically, the courses will teach concepts such as how to create and define project goals, how to make accurate project estimations, and how to generate useful project reports. The project management courses involve a wide range of activities, including hands-on exercises and skills training. Students are also given sample tests and drills to prepare them for the certification exams.
As the need for project management courses is becoming more and more prevalent, quite a number of courses with more up-to-date training are being offered. Global Knowledge, the leader in information technology instruction, for example, has recently opened project management courses that feature Microsoft Office Project product training. These courses are expected to provide managers with the project management knowledge they need to compete in this IT-driven industry.
About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge, the company offering the new Microsoft project management courses, offers its IT courses via training centers, the Web, and private venues. Having a variety of learning environment choices has allowed Global Knowledge to give its customers to freedom to choose when and where they want to learn.
The company currently offers more than 700 courses on a wide variety of topics. Global Knowledge has courses on subjects like IT security, Oracle, networking, and Cisco. Global Knowledge is based in North Carolina, but has training centers in countries all over the world, from the US to France to Singapore.
About Microsoft Office Project products
Microsoft’s project management applications, Microsoft Office Project and Microsoft Office Project Server, are a part of the Microsoft Office Enterprise Project Management software solution. Microsoft Office Project has been touted as top-of-the-line project management software. It is used to assist managers in creating project plans, managing resources, and keeping track of project progress. Microsoft Office Project Server allows project teams to collaborate on project plans and effectively manage their work.
All about the courses
The new project management courses being offered by Global Knowledge are called “Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007” and “Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007.” Each course lasts four days and has a total load of 40 Professional Development Units (PDUs). The project management courses are also offered over a three-day period, with a total load of 18 PDUs.
Upon completing each project management course, students can earn Microsoft certification. In the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 course, students receive Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certification for Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 upon passing the exam. Certification for Enterprise Product Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 can be attained by passing the Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 boot camp. These two certifications that can be acquired through Global Management’s new project management courses have been approved by the Project Management Institute.
In these project management courses, students will learn how to go through all of the project management steps – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing – and use Microsoft Office Project 2007 and Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 to facilitate the entire process. More specifically, the courses will teach concepts such as how to create and define project goals, how to make accurate project estimations, and how to generate useful project reports. The project management courses involve a wide range of activities, including hands-on exercises and skills training. Students are also given sample tests and drills to prepare them for the certification exams.
10 Reasons Your Small Business Needs A Technology Services Provider
Nick Pegley asked:
Can your small business get both affordable professional-class IT service and peace of mind? The secret lies in having a technology services provider handle your technical solutions.
To stay competitive, small businesses must make the most of current technology. But it’s expensive, time consuming, and inefficient to maintain a full-time IT department like larger companies. A true Professional Technology Services Provider offers on-demand talent, depth of experience, deep resources and huge economies of scale. Here are the top 10 benefits you’ll see.
Benefit #1: Stay Focused On Core Business Functions
People are happiest doing what they do best. And they get frustrated by tasks that distract them from it. Researching solutions, implementing new technology and fixing IT-related problems are extremely inefficient for non-IT professionals. Free up internal staff for revenue-generating functions and the business of business.
Benefit #2: Tap Economies Of Scale And Purchasing Power
Due to a single focus on IT, sechnology services providers achieve greater efficiencies and economies of scale. They consolidate purchasing power and have access to deep and broad knowledge bases. Using developed best practices, tasks are completed more efficiently than small businesses can do on their own. The means real cost savings– both in time and money.
Benefit #3: Reduce Cost and Control Operating Expenses
The business value of technology services providers results in very hard dollar savings. In almost all cases, small businesses will spend 25% to 50% less than the cost of even one mid-level IT professional. Then take recruiting, training, vacation, sick days, turnover and other management issues out of the equation to see even more savings. Costs are budgeted, predictable and controlled.
Benefit #4: Access Highly Specialized Talent
Small businesses cannot cost effectively achieve the scale and flexibility to properly support their technology environments. Even a very experienced and dedicated IT employee has limits to skills and avenues for help. Professional technology services providers offer access to teams of IT specialists that deliver the cross-sectional IT knowledge needed to provide both on-going and critical support for small business networks.
Benefit #5: Get Services On-Demand
Many small businesses face the challenges of growth and the burden of scaling back. Both cases present a genuine HR problem when relying on in-house IT resources. Small businesses need the agility of just-in-time resources for emergencies and the flexibility to adjust technology support levels. With a professional technology services provider, sudden changes won’t affect the livelihood or morale of employees.
Benefit #6: Help Employees Innovate and Stay Productive
Communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing allows employees to innovate. These capabilities are delivered through a multitude of technologies including file servers, central databases, broadband connectivity, mobile platforms, email communications, and many others. However, true productivity and business benefit can only be realized when this complex technology is properly planned, implemented and maintained. The best practices and comprehensive experiences around planning, implementing and maintaining such systems allow technology services providers to successfully deliver these productivity improvements.
Benefit #7: Reduce Downtime
Even a few minutes of systems downtime carry enormous business costs. Maximizing uptime must be a high priority. Small businesses can longer afford issues with internet connectivity, email communications, corrupt data or systems failure-the cost of reacting to these events is just too high. Professional technology services providers offer planned, measured approaches to pro-active systems maintenance, security, backup and disaster recovery.
Benefit #8: Get A Technology Edge Over Competitors
Don’t just level the playing field: take advantage of new technologies for a competitive advantage. Technology services providers keep up with the latest solutions through ongoing training and real-world experience. They know how to implement the latest hardware, software, and network applications available. Just as important: they know which technologies are not worth the investment.
Benefit #9: Attract and Retain Employees
Employees want to work in an environment where their computers are up and running. Employees want to be competitive with their rivals and they want the technology tools that really help them deliver. Potential new talent will weigh your company’s technology prowess. Utilizing a professional technology services provider allows small businesses to meet these expectations and increases the ability to attract and retain employees.
Benefit #10: Access Otherwise Unavailable Vendor Support
Access to manufacturers is crucial in effectively supporting complex technology. When available, technology manufacturers traditionally provide basic or unreliable direct end-user support. With a well-established professional technology services provider, small businesses enjoy the benefits of priority access to Microsoft, Cisco and thousands of other technology vendors.
Can your small business get both affordable professional-class IT service and peace of mind? The secret lies in having a technology services provider handle your technical solutions.
To stay competitive, small businesses must make the most of current technology. But it’s expensive, time consuming, and inefficient to maintain a full-time IT department like larger companies. A true Professional Technology Services Provider offers on-demand talent, depth of experience, deep resources and huge economies of scale. Here are the top 10 benefits you’ll see.
Benefit #1: Stay Focused On Core Business Functions
People are happiest doing what they do best. And they get frustrated by tasks that distract them from it. Researching solutions, implementing new technology and fixing IT-related problems are extremely inefficient for non-IT professionals. Free up internal staff for revenue-generating functions and the business of business.
Benefit #2: Tap Economies Of Scale And Purchasing Power
Due to a single focus on IT, sechnology services providers achieve greater efficiencies and economies of scale. They consolidate purchasing power and have access to deep and broad knowledge bases. Using developed best practices, tasks are completed more efficiently than small businesses can do on their own. The means real cost savings– both in time and money.
Benefit #3: Reduce Cost and Control Operating Expenses
The business value of technology services providers results in very hard dollar savings. In almost all cases, small businesses will spend 25% to 50% less than the cost of even one mid-level IT professional. Then take recruiting, training, vacation, sick days, turnover and other management issues out of the equation to see even more savings. Costs are budgeted, predictable and controlled.
Benefit #4: Access Highly Specialized Talent
Small businesses cannot cost effectively achieve the scale and flexibility to properly support their technology environments. Even a very experienced and dedicated IT employee has limits to skills and avenues for help. Professional technology services providers offer access to teams of IT specialists that deliver the cross-sectional IT knowledge needed to provide both on-going and critical support for small business networks.
Benefit #5: Get Services On-Demand
Many small businesses face the challenges of growth and the burden of scaling back. Both cases present a genuine HR problem when relying on in-house IT resources. Small businesses need the agility of just-in-time resources for emergencies and the flexibility to adjust technology support levels. With a professional technology services provider, sudden changes won’t affect the livelihood or morale of employees.
Benefit #6: Help Employees Innovate and Stay Productive
Communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing allows employees to innovate. These capabilities are delivered through a multitude of technologies including file servers, central databases, broadband connectivity, mobile platforms, email communications, and many others. However, true productivity and business benefit can only be realized when this complex technology is properly planned, implemented and maintained. The best practices and comprehensive experiences around planning, implementing and maintaining such systems allow technology services providers to successfully deliver these productivity improvements.
Benefit #7: Reduce Downtime
Even a few minutes of systems downtime carry enormous business costs. Maximizing uptime must be a high priority. Small businesses can longer afford issues with internet connectivity, email communications, corrupt data or systems failure-the cost of reacting to these events is just too high. Professional technology services providers offer planned, measured approaches to pro-active systems maintenance, security, backup and disaster recovery.
Benefit #8: Get A Technology Edge Over Competitors
Don’t just level the playing field: take advantage of new technologies for a competitive advantage. Technology services providers keep up with the latest solutions through ongoing training and real-world experience. They know how to implement the latest hardware, software, and network applications available. Just as important: they know which technologies are not worth the investment.
Benefit #9: Attract and Retain Employees
Employees want to work in an environment where their computers are up and running. Employees want to be competitive with their rivals and they want the technology tools that really help them deliver. Potential new talent will weigh your company’s technology prowess. Utilizing a professional technology services provider allows small businesses to meet these expectations and increases the ability to attract and retain employees.
Benefit #10: Access Otherwise Unavailable Vendor Support
Access to manufacturers is crucial in effectively supporting complex technology. When available, technology manufacturers traditionally provide basic or unreliable direct end-user support. With a well-established professional technology services provider, small businesses enjoy the benefits of priority access to Microsoft, Cisco and thousands of other technology vendors.