<h1><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko">Herding Cats - Successful Teams, Projects</a></h1> <h1><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h1> <h1><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h1> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <h2><a href="http://hop.clickbank.net/?davzo/bluegecko"></a></h2> <p><b>Herding Cats - Successful Teams, Projects --> The Fabulous Mr. Fix-IT “We’ll help you fix your broken projects.” HerdingCatsTM: Project Teams that Produce Profitable, Bulletproof Results in Internet Time! The success or failure of most projects have already been determined before the development phase ever begins! For example, one-third of all IT projects are Killed before they're ever completed, according to a Standish Group study. Over half are Crippled: They deliver an average of 40% fewer features than specified; and/or They go an average of 189% over budget; and/or They take an average 229% more time than scheduled and have one or more restarts. The reason is rarely technological incompetence! The fact is, the fate of most doomed projects is sealed before the first implementation step is ever taken! What can you do to avoid catastrophes like this? Create the Vision, Develop the Plan, Assess the Risks, then Go Forth and Do! Where can you learn these crucial skills? At a HerdingCatsTM presentation! Most projects fail - not because people don't know how to do their jobs - but because the project was set up to fail! Don't let project failure happen to you. Learn how to: Work as a high-performance team Solve problems creatively Make decisions dynamically Manage change proactively Communicate ideas effectively Why "HerdingCatsTM"? Because we think it's tragic that while's there's so much time, energy, and money being spent improving the technical skills of people who actually do the work, that is almost never the reason that projects fail. HerdingCatsTM is a technology that presents a project leadership structure for achieving success in virtually any product or service development effort. HerdingCatsTM focuses on three important models: 1. Project Leadership (and effective participation); 2. Effective & efficient processes; and 3. Continuous risk identification and abatement or mitigation Project Leadership The team model is designed so that its members' roles assign responsibility directly to the goals necessary for project success. The team model ameliorates communication issues typically experienced by traditional hierarchical teams. Effective & Efficient Processes The process model is a flexible approach to project execution that improves project control, minimizes risk, and improves product quality, while decreasing time to market. It is based on continuous review and synchronization that allow the project team to adjust the scope of the project to reflect changing customer requirements or to react to risks that may materialize during the course of the project. Continuous Risk Identification and Abatement / Mitigation The HerdingCatsTM approach to proactive risk management enables project teams to identify and monitor risks continuously, dealing with them until they are resolved or until they materialize and are handled. You should schedule a HerdingCatsTM presentation if you are: The member of a development team charged with bringing your project in (to use the cliché) "on time and on budget". (We encourage whole teams to attend HerdingCatsTM) An "evangelist" who wants to bring these powerful techniques back to your organization to improve the success ratio of your projects. A 'sendee' (i.e., 'sent' by someone who is probably one of the problems instead of part of the solution. If you've got a "pointy-haired boss", we can show you how to deal with them!) A manager or participant in projects Responsible for creating and maintaining project plans Involved in analyzing and reporting project information Accountable for tracking and reporting project progress Responsible for optimizing resources and activities An individual evaluating and analyzing projects for more efficient decision making You should schedule a HerdingCatsTM presentation if you: Want to create a powerful vision for your project. Want to plan projects for "insanely great" success (Steve Jobs) Want to learn effective ways of implementing your plans Have limited or minimal previous exposure to leading or participating in project-oriented teams. Are convinced that there has to be a better way to manage or contribute to project goals and objectives Are looking for a way to get immersed into project leadership in a relatively short period of time. On leaving a HerdingCatsTM presentation, you will have had the opportunity to learn: The three competencies necessary for successful project management: business knowledge, interpersonal skills and project leadership processes. Proficiency in five steps of project leadership: 1) Vision 2) Planning 3) Execution 4) Resource Management (time, people, money), and 5) Closure. Why the HerdingCatsTM Presentation is the Best! You'll learn practical techniques for getting control of your project timelines and budgets without turning project management into either a dirty word or an onerous burden. We'll "walk the talk" by looking at the good, the bad, & the truly ugly from our experience, in both public and private sector organizations we've done projects for. We write our own materials, based on our personal experience leading projects and advising and consulting with project teams, applying HerdingCatsTM principles in all phases of a project, from concept to maintenance. Unlike traditional "project management" courses, we're not tied to a particular methodology. We communicate techniques and processes that transcend any individual school of thought. Unlike PM classes, you'll actually lay the foundation for developing your own project plan using our HerdingCatsTM principles. The HerdingCatsTM Experience: What You Can Learn In this presentation, you can learn practical techniques for getting control of project timelines and resources without turning project management into either a dirty word or an onerous burden. The fact is, there are very few "project management" courses out there with the following attributes: The presenters write their own materials. The presenters have led the projects that are used as case studies, and are continuously educating themselves and their clients on new ways to use HerdingCatsTM. The presenters are not tied to any one project leadership methodology, and will explore both the strengths and the weaknesses of the tools you may use. The presenters focus on practical aspects of HerdingCatsTM for communication among all stakeholders in a project. The presenters emphasize the whole life-cycle, and show how the techniques can be applied to projects outside of IT as well as software and web development projects. About Your Guide, Robert Brents The HerdingCatsTM presentation is delivered by Robert Brents, based on material he has developed personally, as presented in his book, Shoot the Project Manager! Robert Brents is a leading industry expert with a unique combination of technical competency and vision, and excellent communication skills. Robert has been a Web project leader, developer and technical trainer since 1995. He developed - and works to continuously improve - HerdingCatsTM technologies, and has used them to successfully lead projects in both the public and private sectors. You'll find that Robert pulls no punches: he wants you to manage better projects; and if anything stands in the way, he'll explain how HerdingCatsTM can help you remove the obstacle. You will be provided with a copy of Mr. Brents' book Shoot the Project Manager! as well as a workbook containing exercises and ideas for further exploration. The HerdingCatsTM Experience HerdingCatsTM is about two things: effective learning and having fun doing it! To make this possible, we use a unique presentation technology, Rapid Skills TransferTM, or RST, to help you effectively and efficiently acquire the skills you need to succeed. We accomplish RST in three ways: cut-to-the-chase presentation focus; real-world case studies; and use of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) techniques to increase understanding and promote successful implementation by modeling success. RST always focuses on Clarity and Comprehension. In all, we're certain that you'll: Learn a lot Walk the presenter's talk Have a good -- dare we say great? -- time doing it! Presentation Topics: Shoot the Project 'Manager' - What We Need Around Here is Leadership! Why Leading a Project is Like Herding Cats Is This Trip Really Necessary? The "Vision Thing" Everybody Oughta Know Their Limitations Teamwork is Overrated Get a Plan, Stan To Hell with THE Schedule Pictures: Right Idea, Like Totally Wrong Implementation, Dude It's Gonna Cost HOW Much!? Just Doing It -- What a Concept The Journey of a Single Step Sometimes Seems Like It's Gonna Take a Thousand Years Lead People, Manage Things Communication is Overrated You Can't "Manage" Time Vilfredo Pareto Was a Pretty Sharp Guy Murphy: He Who Must Be Respected Turn Out the Lights, The Party's Over Experience Is What You Get When You Don't Get What You Wanted Please contact me for more details about the "HerdingCatsTM" presentation formats for your organization or association:HerdingCats@RobertBrents.com Robert Brents "The 80/20 Guy" "Speaking, Writing, Mentoring, Coaching: If you look at the product of the product, the value of the product will always be greater than the price."</b></p>