The three of us here at genxls do more than bitch about the government, give health advice, tell family stories and swap wives on Wednesday nights (ok, we might be overdoing it with the family stories).  Believe it or not, we also go to work 5 days a week (sometimes more, sometimes less) and have been working in corporate America longer than any of us care to remember.

As a project manager for 10+ years, I often hear about new ways to improve PM methodology, process flows and requirement gathering, but one challenge constantly overlooked is how to manage a worker your project is dependent upon without the authority to punish them, intimidate them, reward their performance or increase their compensation.

As projects come up, they will all have varying degrees of challenges, requirements, risks and difficulty levels, but managing without authority is probably the most consistent challenge/risk that applies to every project regardless of industry, scope or goal.  I hope the following bullets help provide you with some ideas to help deal with this challenge.

• Reach out to “everyone” when determining your stakeholders. Don’t make assumptions that a functional area or owner is not going to be affected by your project scope.  A simple phone call or addition to an outlook meeting invite can mean the difference between a successful project launch or a painful software rollback because “we forgot that one dude”.  Keeping people aware and involved not only covers your ass, but it helps build trust and they will appreciate you thinking of them.
• It’s not all about “the business”. When you call someone about a deliverable or some project element, take a few minutes to ask how they are doing, how the family is, etc.  Warming up to people will go a long way and will help build trusted relationships and a positive experience when you reach out to someone.  Besides, who wants to otalk about work stuff for 8 – 12 hours a day?  Have a chat about sports, TV shows, pets and vacations.  How would you act at a family party of a new girlfriend or boyfriend if you really like him/her?
• Do NOT let reputations be your guide. Every office has one – the hard-ass in Accounting, IT or Legal that everyone dreads working with.  That person may be a total asshole, but so what?  Why not attempt to have the same conversations you would with an easy-going person?  Why not say hello to him/her in the office?  Did you just get off the phone with them and they seemed like they were in a shitty mood?  Drop a candy bar off at their desk, or send them a funny email joke.  Make’em laugh!  And did you ever consider that the reason they may be an asshole is because they have to deal with schmucks like you every day?  I’ve actually been able to get some special treatment by some very notorious office personalities by simply dropping off a 60 cent candy bar on their desk as a thank you.
• Do on to others. Want respect for your process?  Well, that’s a 2 way street.  If some project stakeholder asks you to fill out a form or a work request to get on their work schedule or to show their boss what they had to do that week then do it.  Sure, bitch about it later or bitch to yourself as you fill it out, but still do it. And do it right!  That’s what they need to get their job done, so make their job easier.  When you respect other group’s processes, even when these people’s processes (and personalities) are notoriously difficult or asinine, they just might surprise you with some quality support, and might even forgive you when you have the occasional screw up.
• Ask everyone and anyone. Be open to suggestions, no matter who does the suggesting. Sometimes explaining your dilemma to someone who isn’t a stakeholder in your project can yield some good advice or show you something you missed. I’ve shared work stories with my wife and father and while they might not be able to offer the solution to a problem, they might be able to give guidance on dealing with a difficult person. This also applies to fellow employees at the office. If you’re having a brainstorming session about how to market a new product or promotion, invite someone from finance or accounting. They shop just like the customers you’re targeting. Since they work at the same company, they just might have something to contribute. Besides, inviting them to the session could help build a sense of trust and support for a project they might be a stakeholder for down the road.
• Flattery may not get you everywhere, but it doesn’t hurt. Did someone do a good job for you? Send their boss an email or a note about how awesome they were. Did a person go ahead and do the bare minimum they had to do for you to get your contract approved or your system enhancement deployed on time and on/under budget? Well, that’s helpful, too! If that guy/gal wasn’t there to “flick the switch” or hand the contract to the CEO for a simple signature, where would you be without them? Why shouldn’t he/she get some brownie points, too?
  

Anyway, I hope these tips help you in your career, so good luck!

I can not only say I know first hand what it’s like to be laid off, I’m living it right now. After years of wishing of being independently wealthy so I didn’t have to get up and go to work, I realize now that not having a reason to get up can be tougher than you think. Sure, at first it’s nice to be able to sleep in a little, brush up your resume, follow up on leads, take a nap! However, after a few weeks it can be challenging to stay motivated, and well, avoid boredom.

The foremost problem is that without a reason to get up, there ‘s no reason to go to bed. Late night movies, TV, and informercials soon become a staple. As a result, of course, you start getting up later and later. Before you know it, you’re rolling out of bed at noon and watching court TV all day. This is not only unhealthy for your body, but it’s brutal on your spirit. Depression soon sets in and the will to be true to a job search soon waivers. To avoid these pitfalls, I offer the following advice:

1) Keep on schedule – I now make it a point to get up early. Of course, I’m not crazy, it’s no longer 5:30am, but it will be much easier to return to form when I do land a job. Pick a time that works for you and keep it consistant.

2) To do list – Just as you had a daily itenerary at work, put together a list of things you want to do for the day. This will not only keep you motivated to get things done, it will keep your mind and body busy. As much as we hate to admit it, our brains and bodies are made for work.

3) Pick up a new hobby – If you’re the type that thirsts to learn, trying something new will give you the mental focus and challenge you’re craving. It will stimulate your brain and revitalize your spirit. If nothing comes to mind, hit the local bookstore and do a little research.

4) Keep relaxation limited to the evening – Just as you did when you were working, save the evenings for time with your family or your favorite TV shows. What you want to avoid is sitting in front of the TV or Computer all day long so that you no longer appreciate it. Avoiding this tip is a quick way to find yourself completely bored and frustrated.

5) Exercise – How many times have you said that the main reason you don’t exercise is because you don’t have the time? Well, there goes your big excuse. I recommend doing it early. Not only does it get it out of the way, but it will get you revved up for the rest of the day. It’s difficult to get the hear pumping and then just sit down and veg.

From the title of this post, I guess you can tell I’m in a silly mood, and feel like writing something.  So I’m gonna write something.

Something.

OK who didn’t see that coming.

Anyway, I know we’re only 7 days into the new year (8 if you live in Australia), but I thought I’d share some observations and goofiness from the past 7 days… or whatever.

Namaste, Bitches!

I just finished doing yoga 30 minutes before I started writing this post.  This is my 3rd session in the past 7 days.  This is not necessarily a new year resolution – I started doing Yoga in 2008.

I Love Yoga. I really do.  Now, if you know me, grew up with me, ever hung out with me or just saw me, you’d say, “There’s no way this bearded Ogre does Yoga.”  Well, F  you.  I do.  And I like it.  However, my biggest challenge getting in Yoga workouts these days is this “lifestyle imbalance” I have.

Due to my huge daily work commute, I have to get up at 5:10 AM every morning.  But by nature, I’m a night owl.  I love the night!  I like the dark, I like late night TV (Adult Swim!), I like to watch stars, planets and the moon, and I like the serenity of the world at night.  It’s nice.  But the downside is staying up late means waking up late, which I can’t do.  But, I can’t get to bed early.   Therefore, every day of my life, I never get enough sleep.  I know, you’re thinking, “well what about the weekends?”  Well, unfortunately, getting up at 5:10  and getting the dog fed and taken out by 6:30 4 or 5 work days a week means that my buddy has to wake my ass up no later than 7AM on the weekends.  Ugh!

But who can get mad at this face:

But seriously, guys, it is a great way to lose weight, feel youthful,  increase flexibility, reduce chronic body aches, and reduce stress.  And it’s very low impact on joints.  Take it from a guy who has had 3 knee surgeries on 1 knee, and is going to probably need a fourth this year.  Yoga actually helps reduce my arthritis pain. 

Ben Stiller.  Please go Away….

I saw Tropic Thunder 2 nights ago, and I can’t describe, from a comedic perspective, how weird this movie was.  Parts of it were hilarious.  Parts of it were awful.  Tom Cruise was funny, only because this was the last friggin character anyone would ever envision him playing.  Robert Downey, Jr was friggin hilarious in this movie, which goes to show how versatile he is.  Jack Black was funny, but there really wasn’t much to him in this movie, other than some funny fart scenes and a humorous portrayal of a coke head.  Thumbs in the middle for him.

Which now brings me to Ben Stiller.  Why doesn’t he just go away?  I can’t stand this guy playing the same whiny, bitch of a character in every fucking movie he does, while he uses the same 3 facial expressions in all his scenes.  I just don’t think he’s funny.

To Blu-ray, or not Blu-ray?

So, I’m thinking about updating my entertainment system later on this year, and I’m wondering if should I just get a new DVD player or should I finally jump on that realllllllly slow moving Blu-ray train?  Any thoughts?…..Any one?……..Bueller?  I know that if I decide a BR player is essential, then I will get a Sony PS3.  I don’t really need it for gaming, since I already xBox 360, but considering the price of a good BR player vs the Sony PS3, the PS3 is a greater value.  At least it was a year ago.

Obama worse President-Elect EVER!

I keep seeing people on the internets making these anti-Obama comments, like his administration (which isn’t even in power yet) will be one that creates American Socialism and that Obama is going to redistribute wealth.

Well, what about  the “Wealth” of our nation being stolen from US tax payers in the form of trillions of dollars in bail outs to banks and car companies under GW’s administration?  Instead of “Obama’s Redistribution of Wealth” plan, I think it would be more appropriate to call it a “Return on a Forced Investment in Corporate America” plan.

But I can see why you’d be pissed if you make more than $150K a year.  Your tax rate will return to the same levels under Clinton’s Administration, which also happened to yield 8 years of prosperity and a government surplus.  Man that sounds rough after 8 years of all those dividend tax brakes from Bush.  Sucks to be that guy, huh?

Well, I’m done here.

Thank you.  Please drive through.

I’m the responsible one.  I’m not the classic underachiever or quintessential slacker.  I don’t skirt my duties, nor do I underestimate the importance of the little things in life.  So, when it came to the question of  ‘do I enroll in cobra insurance’ after getting laid off in November, the answer was unequivocally yes!

This resounding answer was coming from someone that can count on one hand how many times he’s visited a Doctor in the past decade.  Still, I’m smart enough to know that sometimes things just happen and one stroke of bad luck can drown you in hospital bills.

After being laid off in Mid November and realizing that there wouldn’t be much available by way of work until after the New Year, I decided to take some much deserved time to myself and visit family in Florida.  My plan was to fly home on January 1st, a day after my insurance lapsed and immediately enroll.  Now, as I said, I never doubted that I’d enroll, I didn’t want to ever spend a day without coverage, but since I was away I figured I’d be okay with a day or two in between.  What could possibly happen.

Enter Murphy’s law.  On January 2nd, just 2 days after my coverage lapsed and still not in receipt of the Cobra package, I threw my back out.  This wasn’t new to me, I’ve had recurring problems for awhile.  While it can be quite debilitating, it didn’t normally require much more than bed rest.  However, as only my bad luck could have it, I started experiencing the most excruciatingly painful back spasms.  I’ve never had them before, I was completely unprepared for the intensity.  In fact, I wasn’t even sure what was going on, it was unlike anything in the past.  After a few moments of screaming like a school girl, I had to break down and call 911.

The absolutely irony of being covered by insurance literally my entire life and having to be rushed to the hospital in one of only two days without coverage just seems like a cosmic conspiracy.

I can’t even say this post should be a lessoned learned.  Anyone who turns down Cobra coverage is playing with fire. No, this little story is more about how life loves to slip in a nice kick in the proverbial nuts once in a while.

2009 promises a lot of “change” and while we’re hopeful change will happen for the better, sometimes change sucks – like losing your job.  All of us here at genxls.com have had to deal with being laid off at least once.  It’s one of life’s “inevitabilities”.

Hopefully this article by John Rosevear over at Motley Fool will help with next steps if you’re already in this situation. And if your not, you might want to read this just in case.  Better to be prepared for change before it comes up on you bites you square in the arse.

We hope this helps, and we sincerely wish you all the best for 2009 and beyond.

Prepare to Be Laid Off

By John Rosevear
December 16, 2008 |

Take a deep breath. You’re far from alone. And really, being laid off isn’t so bad — you won’t starve, you won’t end up living in the streets, your family and friends won’t stop speaking to you, and unless your job was at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, the sun will rise the next morning. I promise.

I can say that because I’ve been through it, as have many of my friends. It seemed like it should have been awful at the time, but it wasn’t as awful as I’d feared. And it would have been even less awful if I’d known a few things beforehand.

‘Tis the season to be … job hunting
The list of companies that weren’t able to wait until the new year before announcing significant layoffs is getting longer by the day. Here are just a few from recent headlines:

Lots of folks, maybe including people you know, have recently had the difficult experience of leaving work for the last time. Chances are good that many more will join them in the coming months, unfortunately.

If cuts are looming at your employer and you’re worried that you’re not going to survive, there are a few things you can do in advance to manage the actual experience of getting laid off, both logistically and emotionally:

• Locate your copy of the employee manual and read up on severance policies, insurance coverage, and anything else you can find that might be useful to know if you get let go.
• Find out how to apply for unemployment payments in your state. No, it won’t jinx you, do it now! Here’s why: Getting signed up for unemployment is often a cumbersome, obnoxious, condescending, and completely maddening process. Knowing that in advance, and resolving — again, in advance — to endure it with good humor if it should become necessary is far better than getting hit with The Bureaucratic Stupid Stick out of the blue, while you’re still emotionally reeling from the job loss.
• Talk to anyone you know who has been laid off — if you’re sitting on a knot of unfocused dread at the possibility of losing your job, hearing what their day-to-day experiences are like may ease your anxieties somewhat. At least you’ll have some idea of what you’re dealing with, and some kindred souls to meet for coffee and commiseration if the worst happens. If they can deal with it, you can. (And if they’re dealing with it badly, learn from their experience and think about what you’d do differently.)
• Run the numbers. What would it really mean if you lost your income? How much would you get from unemployment insurance? How long would your severance run? How would you pay the mortgage and feed the kids? Again, this is about understanding the reality of what awaits, and understanding that no matter what, you can deal with it. If you’re married, absolutely do this with your spouse — the more information you both have, the better you’ll do at working together to find solutions.

Last and not least, if and when the big moment comes and you get called into the scary office, stay cool. Resist the urge to lash out at the person delivering the news — trust me, they aren’t happy about it either. Remember that you’re in good company, and don’t take it personally. It’s not your fault, and like I said, you have lots of company.

That said, if they ask you to sign anything, don’t — ask to take the paperwork with you, so that you can review it with a clear head in the morning. (This article explains why.) If they try to insist you sign on the spot, stay calm and don’t feel intimidated. They can’t stop you from leaving the building if you don’t sign, and they can’t deny you severance just because you ask for a little time to read the paperwork first.

To read more on avoiding and dealing with layoffs:

• What to Do When Layoffs Loom
• 4 Ways to Survive a Layoff
• Not Just Another Layoff Survival Guide