Entrepreneurial Project Management

Let me take you on a journey—a journey where I learned firsthand the transformative power of personalized project management. A few years back, I found myself leading a team on a mission to launch a groundbreaking product in a fiercely competitive market. Like any ambitious project, we started with a solid plan laid out—a roadmap filled with timelines, milestones, and deliverables. But as we delved deeper, we encountered a common challenge: the plan didn't quite sync with the dynamic nature of our team. Picture this: a team with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and work preferences. While some thrived in structured environments, others preferred flexibility and autonomy. Our traditional project management approach simply couldn't accommodate these differences. It was a classic case of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. That's when the light bulb moment happened. We realized that to truly succeed, we needed to embrace a different approach—an approach that put our team members at the center, one that recognized and celebrated their individuality. And so, we transitioned to personalized project management. Instead of rigid timelines, we adopted a flexible framework that allowed team members to work in ways that suited them best. We leveraged technology to customize workflows, assign tasks based on individual strengths, and provide tailored support and guidance. The result? A team that was not just working together but thriving together. But let's talk numbers, because who doesn't love a good data-driven success story? 1. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), teams using personalized project management are 28% more likely to deliver projects on time and within budget. 2. McKinsey & Company reports that companies with personalized project management practices see a 20% increase in employee satisfaction and engagement. 3. The Standish Group's CHAOS Report found that personalized project management leads to a 50% decrease in project failure rates. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're a testament to the incredible impact personalized project management can have on your team and your bottom line. So, take a step back and truly get to know your team. Embrace their differences, celebrate their strengths, and tailor your approach to unlock their full potential. Because when you put your people first, success is not just achievable—it's inevitable. #ProjectManagement #Personalization #SuccessStory #TeamBuilding #LeadershipJourney

🚀 Becoming Your Own Project Manager: Small Business Edition 📊 In the world of entrepreneurship, wearing multiple hats is a given. As a small business owner, you are not just the CEO; you're also the marketing department, the HR manager, the accountant, and yes, the project manager too! 🧢💼 Over time, I've come to realize that effective project management is the backbone of a thriving small business. Here are a few tips from my journey that might help you become your own successful project manager: 1️⃣ Set Clear Objectives: Every project, whether it's launching a new product, expanding your services, or revamping your website, should start with crystal-clear objectives. What are you trying to achieve, and why is it important? Write it down and keep it in focus. 2️⃣ Plan and Prioritize: A solid plan is your best friend. Break your project into smaller, manageable tasks, and prioritize them. This not only keeps you organized but also helps you stay on track. 3️⃣ Delegate Wisely: It's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks. Identify what you can delegate and outsource to free up your time for strategic thinking and decision-making. 4️⃣ Set Milestones: Tracking progress is essential. Set milestones and deadlines for your project. This not only helps you measure progress but also keeps you motivated. 5️⃣ Communication is Key: Whether it's with your team, contractors, or clients, open and clear communication is crucial. Regular updates and feedback sessions can save you from potential hiccups down the road. 6️⃣ Adaptability: Plans may change, and that's okay. Be adaptable and ready to pivot when needed. Flexibility is a valuable trait for any project manager. 7️⃣ Learn and Improve: Reflect on each project once it's completed. What went well? What could have been done better? Continuous improvement is the key to long-term success. Being your own project manager in your small business journey is both challenging and rewarding. It's about wearing the hat of a visionary, organizer, and executor all at once. But with dedication, a clear strategy, and a passion for what you do, you can excel at it! Remember, small businesses are built on dreams, hard work, and effective project management. Embrace the role, and you'll find yourself not just managing projects but driving your business towards success. 💪🌟 #SmallBusiness #ProjectManagement #Entrepreneurship #SuccessTips #LinkedInPost

Entrepreneurs have a common trait, which is they love to start new projects more than they like to finish them. It’s common to meet an entrepreneur who lists several companies they have founded on their resume, but when you dig a little deeper you find that none achieved profitability. There are many reasons startups are not successful, but sometimes it comes from the inability of the founder to complete projects they were more excited to start than to finish. This is understandable, since starting is fun, while finishing requires focus, effort, and perseverance. But to be successful as an entrepreneur, one needs to learn how to move projects all the way to completion. A helpful idea is to break a big project into independent sub-projects or stages, each with a unique goal to be achieved. We find that projects naturally fall into four stages that we call: 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙡𝙤𝙜, 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, and 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣-𝙪𝙥. 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 is when you define the project and establish what the result of the full project will look like. This stage involves more creativity and planning than hard work, and that’s why it is often the most fun. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙡𝙤𝙜 includes all of the tasks it takes to implement the project to the point that it delivers a tangible result. One might say this stage takes the project to about 90% completion. If the project is a new product, The Slog might result in a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that it is ready for beta testing by customers. In this case, the attractive goal for this stage is that you end up with something that looks real, people can use, and customers might pay for. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 includes the final 10% of the project so that it achieves its full stated purpose. In the case of a new product, this stage may implement changes based on beta customer feedback and upgrades needed for production upscaling. The attractive goal for this stage is that the project achieves the point where it can move the company towards profitability. 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣-𝙪𝙥 is the final stage, and typically involves getting documentation completed, disposing of unused items purchased for the project, and cleaning up the space used to implement the project. Clean-up may seem boring to most people, but the attractive goal of this critical stage is that your company resources are free to move on and tackle a new project. This approach doesn’t change the work involved, of course. But it provides clear and attractive goals the founder and team can be excited to achieve at the end of each stage and prevents the project from feeling like a long-drawn-out collection of vague tasks. A team may also consider leaving enough time between each stage so that it feels like a new project that the team is excited to tackle. ______ Founder Fresh Takes is a project for #scientist #startup #founders by Paul West of AFMWorkshop and David Giltner of TurningScience #techtransfer #entrepreneur