A Project Management Institute Event Where Project Managers Speak Out!
I often ask my audience to provide me with feedback from an event – the words below are from men and women, all of whom are problem solvers. they work as Project Managers in a wide variety of sectors.
I am honoured to be able to share their words with those of you who read my blog. Got a problem? Chances are the PMI has a solution! I recommend you check out the PMI at www.pmi.org for a local Ontario Chapter – http://search.pmi.org/?q=Ontario+
On November 20th 2010 Donna Messer facilitated a networking session for a group of project managers at a PMI sponsored continuing education event. Facilitated barely describes what we experienced. A few volunteers offered their very positive feedback:
“It’s not what you know, but who you know. This old adage came to life again for me during an enlightening workshop. Not only her delivery style was entertaining but also deeply reflective on how we should approach people with the purpose of helping and seeking help. My key takeaway was that networking is not about exchanging presentation cards. It is truly about finding common ground where everybody interacts and benefits from others’ experiences and knowledge.”
- Salvaldor Segura Ortega, HR Integrated Services Team at IBM
“I liked the excellent style of delivery including audience interaction, humor and meaningful content. The entire presentation did not bore us and productively engaged the diverse audience. The list of web site resources Donna provided was fabulous. Overall, Donna hit a home run with her message, ’What goes around comes around!’ We need more Donna’ in today’s world.”
-Shyama Sunderaswara, a Toronto based project manager and entrepreneur
“The process described in the class was very simple and it was great that we had the opportunity to practice it, so we know how it works in real-time. People were able to realize untapped opportunities that had nothing to do with employment and a lot to do with expanding one’s network.”
-Carla Lewis, IT Project Manager at The College of Family Physicians of Canada
“I found Donna to be a very engaging and effective speaker. She has a very good command of the Networking topic. Her process is simple to understand and follow. In a way it is less about networking and more about relationship building which is natural. The outcome is a network of relationships and hopefully support system in case of need.”
-Hamza Qazi, an IT Project Manager with the Ministry of Health & Long-term Care
“Donna is known as the Queen of Networking, but in reality she is so much more. Her presentation made me reflect on three key phrases, a) we not me, b) not what we do, but who we are, and c) what can I do to help you? In a room full of project managers, it’s easy to say, “I’m a project manager.” That doesn’t begin to say who we are or help us to make a connection. Donna is a master at identifying the strengths in individuals and in helping us express what we can contribute. As a group, by spending a Saturday morning with Donna, we opened ourselves to opportunities, abundance, and new relationships.”
-Kathryn Pottruff, Pottruff Consulting Inc.
