Entrepreneurial Project Management

A project manager/program manager needs to be somewhat entrepreneurial.  I feel that you have to be that way, because many times projects and programs are charting new ground.  Many projects are developed for things that the organization has never done before and it sometimes it takes pure willpower just to get the project done. 

A lot of projects are resourced starved, until the business case is fully developed.  Even sometimes it is resourced starved even if there is a clear ROI, bootstrapping in a way.  Risks are different, but there is still risk involved.  The PMs career depends on success and many times the success is uncertain until it happens.

Building a project/program is a lot like building a business.  The work is fulfilling.  Learn from your failures and keep working on building a successful career.

Teaching Entrepreneurship

On this rainy Saturday I am working on some proposals and other business development activities. I was thinking about entrepreneurship and how to teach this to children.  It is obvious that they probably do not learn it just by watching, although I think kids do pick up things like this from the environment.

Entrepreneurship is going to be one of those critical skills for workers of the future.  I see so many children and young people today who have the desire to do something, but because their parents or the community can't see the value they opt for safe careers.  It is easy to have a risky business or a creative business when you have nothing to loose.  There is something to say about starting from those humble beginnings.

For a while now I have been thinking about how to teach or at least coach young people on starting something.  I tell those around me that they need to start something.  I don't care what that something is, but starting is what is important.  Getting over that initial inertia is what is important.

There is an advantage to not knowing what you don't know.  Mentors, coaches, teachers and family can help to fill those gaps.

Anyways, don't forget to help me out with the survey about Program Manager Critical Skills

Thanks,
Kevin