Getting the Most Out of The Teleconference

I just got off a series of teleconferences.  I must say that most teleconferences are a waste of time, just like meetings.  We still do them, people still don't get much out of them.  There is a way to make teleconferences more effective.  The first is to have an agenda and keep to the agenda.  Obviously, the purpose of this is to have information sharing.  So there should be one person who will present the information of that agenda items.  It is important that you don't have people talking over each other.  What happens is that when people are talking over each other everyone else leaves with the same understanding they had before meeting and no sharing took place.

Additionally, the afterward of the teleconference is important.  Send an email or have a call that will outline the shared understanding discussed during the conference call.  This will allow the participants to remember what was important and any actions associated with it.  It is a good practice.

Teleconferences do not have to be a waste of time. But they need to be done right to make it worth while.

The Power of Certifications

I am a big believer in the power of certifications.  In this belief, I have pursued certification and drive to maintain my certifications.  Most certifications are for niche skills.  I have a PMP which I find is useful for project management.  The PMBOK is a good framework for planning, controlling, and closing projects. It has been very valuable for me as a program, project, and product manager.  I still use the tools that I developed from the preparation it took to achieve the certification.

I am also want to talk about the CM certification.  The CM or Certified Manager is a certification that I value.  It is not designate niche skills, it helps to identify me as skilled in general management.  One area that I think that IT, PMP, and other specialized certifications fall short is in the area of general management.  In order to be effective as a technical person, you have to know how your project or function affects the business of the organization.

I have used these skills more and more often as I moved up the later.  A project manager manages the project, but also the people doing the work and the people who can influence the project.  A project manager must be able to read financial statements.  A project manager has to recognize the business environment.  These are all skills that I demonstrated through earning the CM.

The CM is administered through the Institute of Certified Professional Managers or ICPM.  It is a business center of James Madison University.  I value this certification so much, I decided to become a member of the Board of Regents for ICPM.

Check them out.