Management, Coaching, Consulting, Project services

Project Initiation: Laying the Foundation for Success As a new manager embarking on a fresh project, the initial steps you take are crucial. Project initiation sets the tone for the entire endeavor, ensuring that you build a solid foundation and align your efforts with organizational goals. In this article, we’ll explore the essential aspects of project initiation and provide a practical guide to kickstart your project effectively. 1. Understand the Why Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, pause and reflect on the purpose of your project. What problem does it solve? What value will it bring to the organization? Clearly articulate the business case for your project. This understanding will guide your decisions throughout the project lifecycle. 2. Secure Buy-In Project initiation involves more than just paperwork. It’s about securing buy-in from key stakeholders. Engage with decision-makers, sponsors, and influencers. Explain why this project matters and how it...

This was the first lesson in my most recent management training, done under the umbrella of the Gustav Kaser Training International (GKTI): ask yourself every morning why are you enjoying yourself (WAIEM). It might sound like a dumb question, but... think a little bit: if you had at least one reason to be happy that day, wouldn't you feel better? It could be anything: your baby saying the first word, winning the lottery, one award that one of your employees received, or just because it's a late summer day, with some bright warm sun in the sky. And... if you can't find a reason to enjoy yourself... just make up one ! Think about the challenges of that day, and how you plan to attack them, and the results you expect - you might already feel better just because of that! So... WAIEM every day, every morning, and during the day. Be happy and smile - and the people around you will also feel the joy. Why? Because happy people are contagious (well, when they are not stepping...

More and more often I hear that one can only earn respect and power only if one can use the NO word as needed. NO is the most fearest word - it is said to close doors, to shut down opportunities, to bring sadness into one's heart, to make both parties suffer from the consequences of a NO. BUT... it's also a differentiator, in a world where people are more and more discussing about leadership and how to manage expectations, and how to achieve more with less. NO means making the right choices, in the right moment. I find it really difficult to use, and I've found one great resource to give me power to use it. I've learned that the NO can also be POSITIVE, and it's really surprising when you hear about this at first. How can a NO be positive??? Yet, if you say it correctly, if your NO is for the specific situation, and not to a whole relation, if you deny only the possibility of that opportunity, but you stay true to your ideals, to what you value most, and k...