Every project manager knows to execute projects on time and on budget. And good project managers also take pains to meet project requirements consistently. But truly great project leaders go above and beyond. Among other things, not only do they execute projects within scope; they are accountable, strategic business partners fully vested in organizational success.

Much has changed in 2020. Managing projects has become more complex as a result of COVID-19. If you're looking to stand out and take your project management career to the next level, the following traits of highly effective project managers will show you the way. Coupled with the necessary technical skills, these attributes will place you in higher demand as a project manager, providing a strong foundation that will enable you to adapt to the continually changing dynamics of a project while putting your stakeholder's needs first above all else. READ MORE

All digital journeys hinge on end users accepting end results. So if your enterprise is looking to transform itself into a digital business, you must involve end users in evaluating, selecting, testing, and deploying the technology and services that will make your digital transformation possible.

Internal employees, customers, business partners — anyone who will experience the results of your transformation firsthand should be part of your digital strategy. To do otherwise is to court failure.

“End users are the closest to the source of knowledge,” says Carlos Sanchez, CIO at Suez Water Technologies and Solutions, a company that provides water processing tech. “They are the ones that understand the challenge. They know the true needs of the operation. If you don’t include them, if you add too many layers to building out the digital tools, you run the risk of something being lost in translation — which ultimately impacts speed and adaptability.” 

Consulting firm The Hackett Group in its 2021 Key Issues Study found that companies have “a less-than-optimal record for meeting expectations when it comes to things like automation, smart data capture, cognitive computing, and so forth,” says Chris Key, senior director and global IT advisory practice leader at the firm. READ MORE

The Project Management Professional (known as PMP, which has been registered) certification exam, though not mandatory, is a crucial tool for prospective project managers to test and showcase their ability to perform their duties as a project manager. Administered by the Project Management Institute (known as PMI, which has been registered), it often affects the ability to secure a career in the field thanks to the merit the certification holds. For 36 years, the PMP exam has been an extensive test of the domains and related tasks of being a project manager that are required for success. However, starting Jan. 2, 2021, this exam will be undergoing one of its most drastic changes in history through a complete reorganization of the exam's structure and ramping up of the exam's difficulty in its entirety.

Changes like this aren't uncommon for the PMP exam; every three to five years, it undergoes a review due to what's called a Role Delineation Study. This study is designed to examine the test under a modern lens to determine whether the exam's contents are still relevant to the project management role's current climate. The necessity of this study means that the exam never stays the same between intervals. READ MORE

DEC 8, 2020

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Clinton B. Arnold
Business Owner, Executive Pastor, John Maxwell Team Certified Leadership Coach, Christian Counselor and Life Coach

Clint spent 25 years in the telecom industry for Verizon Communications Inc. Before retiring in 2013 he earned multiple Presidents Leadership awards, President Club and Diamond Club awards for sales and operations excellence. In 2013 he created CT Enterprises Inc. and purchased an AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care auto repair franchise until June 2020. He is an Adjunct Professor at West Virginia State University teaching multiple courses in the Business Department.

Clint is currently an executive pastor. He was licensed as a minister in 2014. He is a certified Faith Based Counselor, Marriage and Relationship Counselor and Certified Life Coach.

His unique mix of experience and success in leading, teaching, developing and coaching people and teams in a fortune 10, small business and athletic environment has enabled him to fulfill his calling, which is to help people achieve their short and long term goals and be the best person they can be for themselves and their families.

The foundation of his experience is education and training. He has a BA in Communications from the University of Kentucky, where he was also a four-year letterman and All SEC performer for the baseball team from 1982-1986. He earned an MBA from the University of Charleston and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Executive Leadership Program as well as the Center for Creative Leadership Program in San Diego, CA.

He has been married to Trina, a retired teacher, and a UK graduate, for 34 years. Clint and Trina have two grown children, Christen Woodard (30) who is married to Pastor Brandon Woodard and training to be a mid-wife. They have four children and reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Barrett (27), earned his undergraduate Degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD and an MBA from Marshall University in Huntington, WV and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Barrett is married to Tyra Meadows. They reside in Charlotte, NC.

Congratulations! You got a sweet job offer. You are considering upending your life to make a big change. But before you do that, take a closer look at that offer. Is it everything you want?

This moment doesn’t come often, so it’s important to ensure not only that you are well compensated for your future work but that you succeed in your new role.

Compensation is one thing, but CIOs and soon-to-be CIOs should leverage their job offer position by putting their values on the table and setting themselves up for success before they sign.

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