4 March 2013 9:28 am

Groupon’s Troubles: Proof that the people behind a product can make the difference

In the latest in tech news, Groupon CEO and co-founder Andrew Mason was recently laid off adding to the already Management issues that has been plaguing the internet giant since its IPO in 2011.  As a product idea, Groupon’s volume discount business model launched in 2008 caught on like wild fire.  Groupon delivers huge coupon discounts to restaurants and retailers to its audience with the strategy of pooling like-minded consumers by leveraging the Web and social media.  Consumers get a great deal and in return businesses benefit from the volume in sales.  By 2010 the internet business exploded into a  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 4 March 2013 9:28 am

Posted in About PM box  |  No Comments
18 December 2012 3:04 pm

Letterman Top 10 Signs your are not ready to be a Project Manager

To continue on the  tradition of last year’s top ten list focused on projects, I came up with a topic more focused on you – the project manager.  So the category is the top ten signs you are not ready to be a project manager.  Here we go…

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 18 December 2012 3:04 pm

Posted in About PM box  |  No Comments
19 November 2012 9:39 am

Project Porsche 911: Where the rubber meets the road

Porsche 911 Genius Red

Although the Porsche 911 will celebrate its 50th anniversary in a few months, it definitely doesn’t look its age!  It is an absolute classic among sports cars and its timeless design never goes out of style.  In the world of Project Management, the Porsche 911 is certainly a flagship project.  According to German magazine “MotorKlassik” only 10 prototypes were built prior to its release in September 1963.  This fact alone, is almost unbelievable, compared to today’s mass-production manufacturers who can burn through 100s of prototypes before a product launch.

Written by Sofia Hess
on 19 November 2012 9:39 am

Posted in Famous Projects, Manufacturing, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
19 October 2012 1:33 pm

Top 10 tips for effective Resource Management whether jumping from space or not

In light of the recent historical space jump from 128,000 feet performed by Austrian dare devil Felix Baumgartner, a feat that lasted approximately 8 minutes, we can’t forget a team of scientists, engineers and aviation experts contributed to the success of this new world record. In the digital age where the historic jump captured the attention of the world, we should not to forget that it took millions of dollars in product development, planning and expertise to successfully accomplish and promote the space jump.  Felix Baumgartner’s success was facilitated by an entire project team that carefully planned the mission every  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 19 October 2012 1:33 pm

Posted in Famous Projects, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
12 October 2012 11:00 am

Managing Bottlenecks. Good Project Management is a lot like avoiding traffic

Living in one of Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, Montreal is infamous for its traffic jams caused by never ending construction and growing population.  In a recent report it confirmed that the typical Montrealer that has a 30 minute commute loses 92 hours a year to traffic. The reality of this loss is astronomical impacting businesses, the environment and in some cases health issues that result from increased stressed levels and the broadened carbon footprint.  Although strategies to mitigate traffic issues  exist, similar to the project management world, it only takes one unexpected change of event to occur and you will  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 12 October 2012 11:00 am

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
15 June 2012 2:48 pm

41% of Projects Still Fail: Good project managers always plan for failure

Recently, Kickstarter an internet platform developed to assist entrepreneurs fund their projects by recruiting investors online, has confirmed the reality that after 17 years since the first Chaos Report was published, the knowledge of failure has done little to change the grim statistics associated with project success.  According to a recent article, 41% of projects on Kickstarter fail.  So if projects are likely to fail, why bother planning for success in the first place?  Seasoned project leaders understand that project planning is more than developing a detailed Gantt Chart with accurate timelines and reasonable workloads.  Good project planning is as  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 15 June 2012 2:48 pm

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
17 April 2012 10:11 am

Working 9 to 5. What a way to manage projects!

Recently, Sheryl Sandberg Facebook’s COO publicly admitted to working a 9 to 5 schedule which for many is blasphemous in Technology circles. Although in the past she was reluctant to reveal her work schedule, in her recent announcement she attributes her well-balanced work and life schedule to her present day success.  Even though she has incredible responsibility, it shows that and organized plan and schedule can go a very far way. In many ways, her ability to successfully execute on (one would imagine to be) an insurmountable amount of work in a 9 to 5 schedule is a true testament  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 17 April 2012 10:11 am

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
22 December 2011 8:48 am

Letterman Top 10 Signs your Project is Doomed to Fail

As we wrap up 2011, I figure I would take this opportunity to lighten the mood and come up with a top 10 list À La “David Letterman.”  So the category is the top signs your project is doomed to fail.  Here we go…

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 22 December 2011 8:48 am

Posted in About PM box  |  1 Comment
28 November 2011 9:15 am

Get your Pair of Adidas for $1! Process Improvement in your Projects is about the Journey, not the Destination

In our current global economy consumer products are dropping in price due to the maturity of organization’s that are schooled in the ability to leverage the best and cheapest resources around the world every point in the manufacturing process.   In recent years we have seen remarkably low priced items seen with the launch of Tata’s Nano car retailed at $1900 and now Adidas’ recent announcement of launching a $1 running shoe aimed at India’s growing population.

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 28 November 2011 9:15 am

Posted in Famous Projects, Manufacturing, PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
19 October 2011 12:41 pm

The Power of the Plan: Why 1% of the Population Controls 40% of the Wealth

The recent news of the “Occupy Wall Street” grassroots movement in which demonstrators are congregating around the world expressing their defiance against the financial establishment and its impact on the “Average Joe” has brought to light the age old reality that money and power lies in the hands of a few who understand the power of the plan that keeps this inequality afloat.  Throughout history kings and monarchs have exploited the majority by creating meticulously planned structures of power, wealth and governments to ensure their positions.  Although the Occupy Wall Street movement is a modern phenomenon, similar strategies employed centuries  

Written by Neil Stolovitsky
on 19 October 2011 12:41 pm

Posted in PM Best Practices  |  No Comments
« Older Entries