-
August 1, 2013
User Stories – Simple, But Not Easy
Define your needs so that Agile Software Developers will act.
User stories are used in agile software development to provide concise descriptions of desired system functionality. They are written from the perspective of the person who will use the functionality and they utilize the following structure:
“As a (list the type of user), I want to (identify the desired outcome) so that (identify the user’s intent).” An example would be “As an investor, I want to see the unit value of my mutual fund so that I can see if I am...Continue reading
By Ron MontgomeryPosted in Project & Process Management on August 1, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
June 9, 2013
7 Habits of Highly Sustainable Leaders
Learn how to build your brain to last for the long haul.
By Christina Haxton, Speaker, Author & Executive Coach, Sustainable Leadership, Inc.
Your brain is not designed to hold ideas, your brain is designed to have ideas.” – Robert Allen, ‘Getting Things Done”
Because you are paid to think, to prioritize, to make the right decisions quickly … if you are a senior manager, your brain is your greatest asset. Especially if you want avoid burning up or burning out in your career.
An...Continue reading
By Christina HaxtonPosted in Professional Development on June 9, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
June 6, 2013
Moving Up the Ladder: 4 Best Practices to Demonstrate Your Capability
There is a difference between expressing an interest in career growth and proving yourself ready.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
You're at that crossroads… You'd like to get ahead, to take on some new responsibilities, to stretch to the next level. But how do you go about convincing the “powers that be” that you are, indeed, ready?
One way is to simply ask. There are many ways you can simply ask, stating your desire to move up the company ladder. You can toss your hat into the ring when a job opens up. During performance reviews, you can...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Professional Development on June 6, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
June 2, 2013
4 Essential Skills for Leaders, Managers & High Potentials
A Must Have for Individual & Team Development
It does not matter if you are a company President, Operations Leader, Customer Service Representative, Sales & Marketing Director or “name your title”…the need for continuous self improvement is universal. Successful individuals make a proactive effort to continuously develop four Essential Skills to create a combined ability to:
1. Lead
2. Manage
3. Perform In Their Job
4. Communicate Effectively
This 4-pronged skillset applies to your job, no matter what...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on June 2, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
March 11, 2013
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: How to Develop Yourself & Your Team
Do you believe emotional intelligence is a skill you can develop in others?
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to create a balance between knowing what you don’t know and that what you do know can be improved. It also means you have the ability to see the same knowledge and balance in others; teaching them how to be aware and create a good balance for themselves. The ability to learn gives you authority, the ability to teach gives you power. At the end of the day…and at the end of this article…I would like you to walk away with an...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on March 11, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
January 20, 2013
Agile Methodology: A Creative Approach to Project Management
Learn the values and let them drive your actions.
By Ron Montgomery, Management Consultant & Owner, OnPoint, LLC
Agile Methodology was born as a lightweight framework for managing software development. It emphasizes business-driven prioritization, responding to change, self-organizing teams, face-to-face communications and quick delivery cycles. It de-emphasizes sequential processes and detailed project artifacts such as specification documents. Since it’s inception the benefits of the concept have been spread to other...Continue reading
By Ron MontgomeryPosted in Project & Process Management on January 20, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
January 5, 2013
3 Major Benefits of Cross-Functional Professional Development
Learn to build professional relationships that make you more valuable to your company.
Sometimes we enjoy working with others, sometimes…not so much. Typically, our enjoyment is based on our relationships; we rely on a personal exchange in order to get along & work cohesively. Simply put, personal exchanges are not enough. Here’s why: Business actions, simple or complex, can become personality struggles when a professional connection does not exist. The real goal is to build professional connections. Cross Functional Development allows you to create...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on January 5, 2013
Add to My Toolkit
-
December 29, 2012
50 Resolutions That Can Positively Impact Your Career
What will you do differently in 2013?
As 2012 comes to an end and 2013 approaches, it is a great time to consider some resolutions that open opportunities for career growth and professional success. Here are 50 ideas to spark actions plans for improvement. What is it that you want to improve? Are you doing what is necessary to get where you want to go in your career? Now is the time…here is our first crack at a list in no particular order. What will you do?
1. Create a Professional...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on December 29, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
September 9, 2012
Six OTHER Traits To Succeed In Sales
What Traits do you think of when describing a good sales person?
What Traits do you think of when describing a good sales person? Typically they are personality traits: outgoing, thoughtful, positive, responsive, knowledgeable, etc.… Although personality traits are very important, there are six OTHER traits you or your employees should focus on to succeed in sales.
1) Take it personally!
When you take things personally, you hold yourself accountable. By holding yourself accountable you:
become the go-to person
become the...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Sales & Business Development on September 9, 2012
Add to My Toolkit
-
August 21, 2012
Eight Entrepreneurial Pointers For Any Job
What can you learn from entrepreneurs to help you succeed in your current job?
Following the success habits of entrepreneurs is a good basis for anyone’s success in business. The reason is that these individuals develop success from nothing. They engage in activities and exhibit certain qualities that build success. Anyone, no matter where you work, or what you do, can benefit from these lessons.
Here Are Eight Entrepreneurial Pointers For Any Job.
1) Tenacity
Having the determination to do what you believe in, and get done what needs...Continue reading
By Lisa WoodsPosted in Professional Development on August 21, 2012
Add to My Toolkit