Page 102 - Straight Talk On Project Management IV

highly flexible and innovative commercial model, might I add!). We see the difference that project
managers make week in week out, day in day out and even hour by hour, minute by minute! To
watch PMaaS talent enter a project organisation and see the project portfolio transform in real-time
is a thing of wonder.
Project Managers ensure that everything runs smoothly, they work in every industry and across
every sector, from commercial to government to volunteer. International Project Management Day
gives us the chance to give the recognition they deserve for helping us achieve our greatest business
goals and show appreciation for their valuable contribution and competence.

How to celebrate International Project Management Day?

I think that celebrating International Project Management Day should be an organisation-wide thing.
I’ve heard of special meetings, breakfasts, lunches and events where whole companies and staff can
show their appreciation and learn more about the work that project managers do! People are often
surprised how complex even the smallest projects can be to deliver and come away with a whole
new level of understanding.

Other organisations’ staff present their project manager colleagues with cards and gifts and I’ve
even heard of one firm giving their Project Managers a day off!
Stoneseed’s sister company, Access Talent (the IT Project recruitment specialist), they buy a
selection of those big plastic tubs of chocolates (that are often on offer at this time of year). Roses,
Quality Street, Heroes, Celebrations – whatever they can lay their hands on.
They tell bosses that the multi-mix of chocolates signifies the importance of the right project talent
in the right job – and knowing where to find them! We think they just like chocolate, but their
reasoning is quite convincing! They say, “If you want a taste of coconut then you need a mini Bounty
from the Celebrations tub; if your soft caramel simply has to come in a chocolate shaped like a barrel
then you need to head to the Roses; etc.”

Finding the right IT Project talent can be challenging if you don’t know where to look! Many describe
talent searches as “being similar to looking for a Double Decker in the Quality Street tub – that’s not
where the Double Deckers hang out! You might end up having to make do with one of those
hazelnut noisette green triangles!”

This is the beauty of Project Management as a Service, when you need a Double Decker, your project
management resource partner can get you one!! PMaaS is great for talent resourcing through the
peaks and troughs of your project lifecycle!

Chocolates, a day off, a card, however you do it, do take a moment to show the people who manage
your projects how much you appreciate them on International Project Management Day. If your
organisation is planning to mark International Project Management Day let me know! And get
November 5th 2020, November 4th 2021, November 3rd 2022 in your diary ready for the next three
years! Actually, the twentieth anniversary of International Project Management Day needs to be a
humdinger!! So, definitely book a day of celebrations for November 7th 2024!

In the meantime, I’m off to Access Talent to raid their Roses!

Have a great International Project Management Day!!