Last Thursday, the Project Management Club sponsored the International Project Management talks during the Project Management Institute’s International Project Management week. Over 100 guests and students were welcomed at Thunderbird to as the evening began with a small Networking and Dinner social in the lobby of the Herberger building. As guests and students alike were treated to a buffet of finger foods and lemonade, many took the opportunity to speak with leading individuals from around Phoenix regarding their roles as Project Managers at their respective organizations. Business cards were traded and resumes exchanged. It is opportunities such as this that truly makes Thunderbird one of a kind.
As the guests and students finished up their food and talks, they made their way into the AT&T Auditorium for the main event–an interactive discussion with three very special guests. First, David Campbell, CEO, Cura Teknowledgies, spoke to the group about the “Six Keys to Project MAnagement Effectiveness.” In his talk, Mr. Campbell shared with us his take on how to truly manage a project that may be lacking in functionality and how to change it around for the better. After, our very own Professors Denis Leclerc and Bill Youngdahl shared their common “PM Derailers” and the difference between intentional versus accidental project managers. It it, they revealed the top three derailers from their studies: leading others (50%), navigating the organization (40%) and leading self (10%). Finally, Professor Karen Brown wrapped up the night teaching the conference about “Project Branding” and its importance being the “internal reputation or structure of a project among members of an organization.”
Following the three speakers, the conference was given the opportunity to ask these distinguished experts questions regarding issues that they have been experiencing in their own project management teams and how best to incorporate their advice into their workplace. Following the discussion, guests and students made their way to the Pub to close the night with further discussions in project management and, again, more networking! It was a night enjoyed by all.