Message from the President
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Titu Hariharan, PMP, CSMPMI Portland Chapter President 2018-2019 |
February 2019
We’ve had a crazy winter so far with cold snaps and housebound with 6-inches of snow. With the sunshine, I find myself pulled from my warm home and family to connect with other people, and PMI draws me back again and again. In my time volunteering with PMI Portland, I have learned so much and met a variety of project management professionals with great stories and a great insight.
What stands out is how rewarding it has been to have a chance to see how generous people are — with their time, their advice, their openness to trying new things. I was asked recently about how I have succeeded since I got involved with the chapter. My answer: building relationships and using transparent communication.
Active listening is key as is showing respect for the other person even if you disagree about something. As we work to make this Chapter better and stronger, and an organization designed to push forward the PM profession, building and employing strong communication and relationship-building skills is essential.
A challenge I have worked to improve is making sure I communicate my messages clearly, using both content and context. It took a long time to get where I am today; I am more reserved than the person most people see. Having volunteered as a servant leader with PMI in different roles has helped me a great deal, in not only improving my leadership skills but I’ve also been fortunate to meet a number of people who have become mentors and role models. Great things happen when you get involved with PMI.
I have found, over the years, is that you can be really good at what you do and have great style, but being a great communicator and willing to build relationships is critical. There is an African proverb I like to follow: “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” That sentiment motivates me to get out of my comfort zone — for what I have given, I’ve gotten in return tenfold.
So, I’m excited about where our Chapter is headed as spring nears. We’re about to launch the work of the Annual Conference; we are offering a good variety of workshops — including Spencer Horn’s two-part daylong workshop on February 20. The first half of the day is called “Communicate with Impact,” while the second half focuses on “Effective Delegation and Coaching.” There are still spots available and I hope you take advantage of these offerings as a chance to build your own leadership skills through communication and relationship building. And, of course, there is our monthly Chapter meeting, with an education session, networking time, and always a compelling keynote speaker. If you are unable to join a workshop right now, take the first step by joining us at a chapter meeting. I guarantee, with a little effort, you too can make some connections, begin building relationships and improve both your professional and personal lives.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Titu Hariharan
President, PMI Portland Chapter
January 2019
As I gather my thoughts and reflect upon 2018, it brings me hope and joy to see what we have accomplished as a Chapter over the last 35 years and embark on another revolution around the sun. Happy New Year 2019! Our focus as a chapter is on learning, collaboration, education, and networking in our project management community. We have a series of workshops planned and speakers coming to share their knowledge and expertise. I hope to see you at the chapter meeting or at one of the several workshops in 2019.
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”- John F. Kennedy.
As always, I would like to thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors, for your continued support of the project management community and the PMI Portland Chapter. I would like to invite you to become involved in the chapter, volunteer your time, share your knowledge, give back to the community - please contact me or any of our board members, and check out our website for volunteer positions. Wishing you and yours a healthy, successful New Year!
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” -Abraham Lincoln.
Thank you,
Titu Hariharan
President, PMI Portland Chapter
December 2018
Dear PMI Portland Chapter members,
I can't believe it is December 2018 already. This month’s Chapter meeting is on Tuesday, December 18th at the DoubleTree Hilton, Lloyd Center. I look forward to seeing you there. On November 13, 2018, we had our first “Career Fair” event during the education session and it was well-received by those who attended the event.
We provided a professional photographer to give our members the opportunity to update their professional headshots and six resume reviewers to share their expertise and knowledge in updating members’ resumes. Also in attendance were IGNW, ieSolutions, FBI and our own PMI Portland Chapter representatives to talk to the attendees about careers, job markets, current trends in hiring. The evening ended with keynote speaker, Marli Williams, who encouraged and inspired our
members with tips on how to stand out in the crowded marketplace.
The Chapter is always looking for and welcomes professionals who want to give back to the project management community by volunteering. Our chapter meeting and events happen because of our volunteers. I would like to thank them for their dedication to the betterment of project management. Please check out our website for the latest openings or drop me a line if you are interested in volunteering.
I wish you all Happy Holidays and a great start to the New Year 2019.
Thank you,
Titu Hariharan
President, PMI Portland Chapter
November 2018
In a few weeks, we as a nation will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It has been four months since I started my term serving the PMI Portland Chapter as its President. I would like to start by saying thanks to all the past Presidents over the last 35 years who have paved the path and given back to the Project Management community. And at the heart of it are our wonderful volunteers, who are indispensable, and it is not only now, but every day, I would like to thank them for giving their time. Volunteers are at the heart of who we are! Thank you, PMI Portland volunteers.
This year not only are we celebrating 35 years of PMI Portland Chapter, we also have a great incoming Board of Directors. I would like to thank each of them for their support and for taking the time to volunteer to make our chapter better.
John F. Kennedy said, “leadership and training are indispensable to each other.” On that note, some Board members recently had the opportunity to attend the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting 2018 – North America in Los Angeles. The continued patronage of our members, volunteers and sponsors made this professional development opportunity possible. We appreciate your support! 
Great things happen when you get involved with PMI.
I am honored to be selected by the Project Management Institute to expand my leadership skills as one of 32 Chapter leaders worldwide to join their Leadership Institute Master Class of 2018-2019 (LIMC).
“Leadership and training are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy
Over three days in early October, it was my privilege and honor to know and share new experiences with my fellow LIMC classmates. I had the chance to network, collaborate, learn about our strengths and attend personality assessment workshops. I learned what servant leadership means and how to put it into practice. We are now part of a truly global family, representing PMI from different corners of the world, including Peru, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Luxembourg, India, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, South Korea, Panama, Pakistan, Poland, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and many more. The U.S. is well represented too, with LIMC members from Kansas, Seattle, Washington DC, Portland, Rochester, NY, Orange County, California, and Hawaii to name a few. Thank you, PMI Global Headquarters, for giving me this great opportunity to develop my leadership skills and capabilities to better serve the PMI community at the local, regional and global levels over the next several years.
Portland Chapter Happenings
I am excited to announce that for the first time, we are hosting a Career Fair on November 13, during the education/networking session followed by dinner and keynote. This event will feature six professional resume writers who will review (for 5 minutes each) and make recommendations for members’ resumes, three consulting companies from the Portland area, including the FBI, which will host a table. And, we will offer this as a speed networking event! Career experts will answer questions about the job market, and our members can connect with hiring managers and recruiters to discuss future career opportunities. To round out the Career Fair, an expert photographer will be on hand to take headshots for members to spruce up their LinkedIn profile with an eye-catching picture. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity!
Let’s Connect -- our theme for 2018-2019!
As I mentioned in our September newsletter, one key goal of mine is to explore how PMI-Portland Chapter can collaborate with corporate organizations, be their partner and support their needs by organizing and offering workshops right at their doorstep. This outreach effort will be rewarding for all project managers in diverse industries, helping them become better leaders, fortifying their soft skills and keeping up with the latest project management knowledge. Let’s Connect!
Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your family and friends. I look forward to having both my kids home and giving thanks for all the small blessings in our lives. Please accept my sincere thank you for serving you, our chapter members. It is my privilege to be a part of this wonderful Project Management community. THANK YOU!
Best wishes,
Titu Hariharan
President, PMI Portland Chapter
September 2018
It is my privilege and honor to be writing to our membership as the new President of PMI-Portland Chapter, continuing on the path paved throughout the last 35 years, driving toward project management excellence.
The 17th Annual Conference took place last week after more than a year of planning, countless h
ours of meetings, and a team of more than 40 volunteers to organize yet another of the best project management conferences in the Portland metro area. I am thankful to all the members, board members, sponsors, community partners, and of course, the volunteers who have been a part of this journey. Volunteering is the backbone of this organization. I hope you will become a volunteer, share your knowledge and expertise, and give back to the project management community.
I can’t believe it was just last Friday that we gathered at the Oregon Convention Center, ready to welcome 400 attendees to our conference. When I arrived at 5 a.m., the stage and A/V were nearly ready; by 5:30, Divya Jain, our Annual Conference Director, and an assembly line of volunteers began filling the goodie bags.
At 8:00 a.m., attendees were filling tables, breakfast and coffee steaming in front of them. Opening Keynote speaker, Gina Schreck, set the tone for the day – make the most of YOU, regardless of where you started, and where you are now. Her story of becoming the digital marketing success she is today by learning the ropes (and continuing to grow her knowledge) – was inspiring.
The executive panel discussion – a new feature this year -- was one of the most talked-about sessions. Despite being held right after lunch, the audience stayed engaged and we thank those executives, representing the apparel, construction, design, government, healthcare and utility sectors, for their insights into project management trends.
Closing Keynote speaker, Spencer Horn, had a powerful message that just 10% of issues come from actual problems; 90% is from how we react to them. Patience, kindness and taking time to reflect before acting is crucial. A beautiful end to a great day!
The 2018-2019 board members met in late June to strategize and plan for the upcoming year. Let’s Connect is our theme this year!
We will continue to focus on offering great chapter programs, professional development workshops, training classes for PMP and ACP certifications, and special events for our membership. In addition, my vision for PMI Portland Chapter is to collaborate with corporate organizations, be their partner and support their needs by organizing and offering workshops and bringing them to their doorstep. This outreach effort will be rewarding for all project managers working in diverse industries, helping them become better leaders and fortifying their soft skills while keeping up with the latest project management knowledge. Let’s Connect!
Please keep reading! We have two key messages we don’t want you to miss: the AC Workshop Video offer, and our September Monthly PMI Chapter meetings. Plus, more Conference highlights!
Welcome to fall and watch how our 36th year will be even better!
Annual Conference Videos Available at Discount for Limited Time
Wish you could have seen additional workshops at last week’s annual conference? Would you like to listen to Keynote Speakers Gina Schreck and Spencer Horn again? How about the executive panel discussion?
Though PMI-Portland was able to offer 16 breakout sessions in addition to Keynotes and the post-lunch panel at last week’s Annual Conference, attendees could only choose four workshops during the day-long event. Conference Attendees have a rare opportunity to purchase a video recording package of 13 of the sessions (three presenters requested no video recording), plus the all-conference gatherings at a discounted rate of $79 through Sunday, Sept. 30th.
Beginning October 1, the price will go up to $99.00 for attendees. Please reach out by sending an email to the PMI-Portland Chapter President by Sept. 30 to receive a promo code to buy the video (a $200 discount!). Without the attendee promo code, the full price of $279 will be charged. Starting Oct. 15, the individual package price increases to $299 for attendees. A group license is available by request only for the conference attendees. Email the President for group license pricing.You can earn 12 PDU’s by watching the entire video (self-reported in leadership, technical, strategic, business management tracks). The MS Project training is not available as a part of this video promotion.
The video will be available October 10 – pre-purchase now to take advantage of this introductory offer (your credit card will not be charged until the video package is available).
September Monthly Meeting on Track for Next Week
The PMI-Portland Chapter meeting will be held next Tuesday, Sept. 25th. Todd Williams, PMP, offers his expertise in consulting for manufacturing, sales, electronics, healthcare and automotive industries in both the Education session and as this month’s Keynote speaker.
For the Education portion of the meeting (beginning at 4:30), Todd will focus on nine leadership traits you must have to adapt to myriad situations you will face leading projects. During the Keynote presentation, he will discuss h
ow leadership, coupled with project management, can save your business – and lives. He will
explore three core leadership concepts that helped him navigate adverse, high-stress personal experiences.
The meeting is set for the Doubletree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah) with the education session starting at 4:30 (see the Chapter Meeting Home Page for more details). Prices for education session, networking, meal and keynote are $60 for non-members and $40 for members (chapter members – remember to log on before registering to get the automatic discount). Go to the
PMI-Portland Meeting Registration page to sign up. Don’t miss out!
Annual Conference Highlighted Wealth of PM Expertise
The following are excerpts from a few brief interviews conducted at last week’s annual conference. Watch for more features in future newsletters.
Gina Schreck, Opening Keynote
The owner of a digital marketing agency in Colorado and a business owner for 24 years, Gina emphasized how her work – and sharing her experiences with audiences such as PMI – energizes her. “I love meeting people, hearing their stories and getting to share mine with them.” She says.
Gina has worked with PMI’s Mile High and Ohio Chapters as well as in global settings.
“I know the audience so well, their struggles, and I can tailor the message to give them a nudge.”
She asserts that it is easy to be mediocre; that it is a comfortable place to be in business, work and life. “My message is that you need to be extraordinary. You need to be that anomaly, someone who stands out and leads from the front.”
Ben Barry, Executive Panelist
Ben currently is Executive Vice President and CIO of Bonneville Power, in charge of IT for the entire organization. As a project manager early in his career, Ben determined he needed a personal strategic plan.
“I learned early on that have a plan for your career will make all the difference,” he says. “Your short-term goals should be driven by your long-term goals. That has really worked for my career.”
He acknowledges that he had a lot of benefits as he came up in his profession – mentors and other people taking an interest in him personally. He pays if forward by helping others coming up the ranks in the senior roles he’s held. “If I can help someone make a crucial decision about a project or initiative, or their career, I am happy.”
Bobbie Calhoun, Executive Panelist
Bobbie shared that she’s been in project management for more than three decades and has a passion for it, especially Agile. She began in defense contracting before moving into IT.
“[In the defense work] structure was really important,” she says. “In IT, I have found that people were really hungry for some structure as long as it was in a servant leadership role.”
Bobbie believes Agile is going to drive project management practices forward, allowing more visibility of projects and better engagement with leaders. “Project management professionals should get as educated as you can; make sure you are reading not just about project management, but also about wars, social history, politics. If you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where leaders are bringing their organizations.”
V. Lee Henson
Lee Henson is a huge proponent of Agile. As the President and CEO of Agile Dad, a PMI-Portland Annual Conference platinum sponsor, Lee says you don’t need to be a “dad” to utilize Agile project management techniques. He says Agile is no longer strictly for software anymore. The message of Lee’s Agile track workshop was two-fold: 1) you can make agile decisions in your life, and 2) there are simple things you can do to help further project management, common things people just overlook.
“There are ways to tip-toe into the pool,” he says. “It’s not just one of these things where you have to throw out other methods. We want to draw the [simple] things into the light.”
Lee says Agile Dad feels it is important to give back to the community, including sending coaches to help organizations’ employees talk about their PM issues so they can work through them.
On conference day, he was looking forward to meeting individuals. “I want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity [to] share their story, tell us about their success,” he says. “I think the networking aspect is one of the critical components that holds this all together.” Lee sees networking as a way to help participants recognize that they not the only ones facing any particular project management problem.
“[Richard Branson] said there are three key components for success: a firm foundation…that stands out; something to believe in [and can] keep you grounded. The second is a story to tell. ‘If I ask you what would your great grandchildren say about you, what legacy will you leave behind?’ Last, but not least, is don’t be afraid to dream.”
Photos from an excellent 2018 PMI-Portland 17th Annual Conference
Former President's Letters: