Enrollment is underway for the Summer 2017 term of the Mentorship Programs offered at PMI Atlanta!

• The program is only open to PMI Atlanta members - participants may earn up to 8 PDUs AT NO COST
• WE NEED MENTORS! Mentors have the opportunity to share Project Management knowledge with another PMI Atlanta Member
• Mentors and Mentees will be matched according to goals/objectives or area of interest
• The enrollment period will last through April followed by a mandatory Kick Off Meeting, in early/mid May
• The mentoring term lasts about 3 months (much like a college ‘semester’) with a minimum of a 6 hour commitment (May-July 2017)
• Space is limited to the number of mentors who volunteer. A waiting list will be created for those that do not make it into the Summer term
• Those interested will need to complete a survey so they may be matched appropriately
• Email us to get started

PMI Atlanta’s Executive Board authorized (in early 2016) the creation of an annual report to the membership. This report represents a summary of events and accomplishments of the prior year, and a preview into the coming year’s strategic initiatives.

The initiative complements the State of the Chapter presentation delivered by the Chair at the December Holiday Party or the chapter’s first monthly dinner event in the new year. While these events are widely attended, attendance is limited considering the chapter’s size, and thus represents only a small fraction of the entire chapter’s 4,600+ membership. The net result, the majority of the membership has limited insight and remains largely uninformed as to goals accomplishment.

Our intent is to:

• hold ourselves (the Leadership Team) accountable to you (the membership) by producing a formal year-end summary.
• broaden our reach with respect to communicating accomplishments to a wider membership audience.
• increase membership satisfaction by demonstration of financial accountability and goals completion.
• increase member participation in chapter activities by increasing visibility into chapter affairs.
  
  

Our volunteer-leaders are among some of the most dedicated. They are fueled by a fire of optimism and highly motivated by situations in which they are held accountable for results -- and we are proud to communicate their accomplishments. We hope you find the information helpful and informative.

As you read the report, think of areas where you might want to become involved. We have many areas that need more attention and time.

On behalf of the entire leadership team, board members and volunteers that make it happen, we would like to thank you for your support. Your support and positive comments are the fuel that keeps us moving forward to make PMI Atlanta one of the largest and most active chapters in the world.

Sincerely,

Bill Kay, MSOL, PMP
Director 3, At-Large
PMI Atlanta Board

Lead Project Manager - Jim Rowland, PMP

by Mike Ososki, PMP, Public Relations Committee

We didn’t know where the voice was coming from. After being introduced, Jeff Tobe made his loud, high energy, and semi-invisible grand entrance from the back of the room. It was a good kick-off for PMI Atlanta’s March Dunwoody Dinner—and a powerful presentation of positive challenge.

Mr. Tobe is a professional speaker and author hailing from Pittsburgh, with a topical focus on customer experience (CX), creativity/innovation, and employee engagement. His thoughtful, humorous and clever style well underscores the content of his message. One of Jeff’s first audience directives was that when he asked us a question with an obvious YES answer, we should pump our fist in the air and shout ABSOLUTELY! And we did.

Our automaton habits were challenged, with exhortation that if we’ve always done something in a certain way, and that’s why we keep doing it, we must still strive to be open to change for the better. Often this practice is uncomfortable. As a simple demonstration of our resistance, Jeff had everyone switch their watch or bracelet to the other hand, and see if they could keep it there until bedtime. (Not that it’s better, but you get the idea :)

We are evolving out of the time-worn Customer Service and Satisfied Customer model into the new Customer Experience and Loyal/Engaged Customer model. For your customer, YOU are the brand and the company, so ask yourself: What is the customer experience of ME?

Comparing Cost vs. Value from a CX angle, our job is to increase value so it’s more important than cost. Constantly check with your “customer,” asking “What will increase the value SPECIFIC to you AT THIS VERY MOMENT?” Your customer is anyone you want to influence or persuade. Give yourself an A.S.K. (Alternative Solution Kick) and shatter the stereotype of the EXPERIENCE your customer expects to have with you ... go for the pleasant surprise, as in 1+1=3, and “If It Ain’t Broke, BREAK IT!” (in a good way).

Every transaction is always an experience for the customer. So how random or managed is the PM experience you are delivering? (Most PMs deliver experiences without thinking about them.) You will do well to anticipate and know what your customers need before they do. Engage customers by turning each touch point into a dialogue. What are YOUR touch points?

Project managers are change agents, and part of our work is to color outside the lines. Step one: figure out where the edge of the page is, so you don’t fall off. Be careful with the status quo mindset rooted in fear. Culture is based in the past, and your work is often to shift the climate. Always seek to influence and persuade of the benefit of your proposed change to your customer, because everyone’s favorite radio station is WII-FM (What’s In It For Me?).

Part of Jeff’s definition of creativity is “looking at something differently than everyone else.” He told a good archetypical story to illustrate how our assumptions and prejudice create our perspective. Maybe it’s always best that we seek not to change the world, but choose to change our mind about the world. From every challenge comes opportunity. Thinking of Harvey, the classic James Stewart rabbit film, Jeff exhorts that we “learn to see invisible opportunities where everyone else sees only visible limitations.”

Do you like to work with people who are fun, and have more fun at work? Of course you do, and it can be done. Coloring outside the lines is scary business, but we all need to exercise our “risk muscles.”

PMI Atlanta is pleased to announce Novembers's Volunteer of the Month – congratulations, Valarie Merced!!!

Valarie has been a long serving and inestimable member and leader within PMI Atlanta and currently serves as the chapter's VP of Public Relations.

The role of Public Relations encompasses multiple areas within PMI Atlanta, and as a result allows Valarie to work across a wide spectrum of chapter initiatives, while creating and implementing solutions that have a positive impact for the entire organization. One of those initiatives that she's super excited about leading in 2017 is our chapter website redesign and optimization. She intends for the website to be a 1st class, well organized and inviting destination for members, visitors and sponsors alike, with a plethora of intriguing and informative information for all things project management.

She naturally transitioned to the Project Management profession after having served dutifully in the military. The leadership skills she developed in the military were great building blocks for her in the world of project management. Just as teamwork and working together to accomplish a mission is essential in military life, Valarie states in her experience, the best resources for her have been experienced colleagues in the PMI organization. What a meritorious view that's certainly worth emulating.

In addition, Valarie is what we would all consider a "Modern Day Renaissance Woman". She lives a very active lifestyle and has a zest for photography, writing, traveling, sports, fitness and reading. In fact, she has provided an extemporaneous winter reading book list for us below. However, she states her most favorite thing to do is to meet new people. This capacious quality of hers serves her and our entire chapter well, as she leads our PMI Atlanta Chapter's Public Relations efforts. With all these great gifts of talent that she possesses, we should all be very thankful that our November VOM is graciously serving as our current VP of Public Relations and has opted to postpone her future position in television as an International Travel Channel Correspondent, which she undoubtedly is already qualified to do.

Read and learn more about Valarie below and what she enjoys about volunteering for PMI Atlanta.

1. What has been your favorite or most rewarding volunteer experience with PMI Atlanta?
The most rewarding experience is serving as VP of Public Relations. This role allows me to work across the Chapter spectrum and affords the opportunity to create and implement solutions that positively affect members, sponsors and volunteers. It is especially enjoyable to perform this work through strategy and use of digital media.

2. How did you become interested in the project management profession?
Project Management was a natural transition after serving in the military. I landed a role in the project management area at Accenture to start, and here I am today!

3. Are there any project management resources you find particularly helpful?
The best resources are my experienced colleagues in the PMI Organization. There is a wealth of knowledge in that body and I benefit from exposure to it. The ProjectMinds website has a nice collection of project management related websites and references; and while not specific to project management; everyone should read Good to Great and Never Eat Alone as these books offer timeless wisdom. Another good read is Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time.

4. What PMI Atlanta initiatives are you most excited about?
My team will be working on the Website Redesign and Optimization Initiative in 2017. The Chapter does not have a physical location and the Website is "home". The goal is to create a warm and inviting "home" full of valuable, intriguing, and well organized information for members, sponsors and visitors. This is very cool and super exciting.

5. What leisurely activities do you enjoy?
I love sports! Especially football, basketball and hockey. I also enjoy running, traveling, photography and writing. Most of all I like meeting new people. Please reach out the me by email or check out my linkedin profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/valariemerced