Week 6: Day 1 – Product or Project Management

I had previously shared my thoughts around the differences between Product Management and Project Management; yet, life moves on, and we learn more (hopefully) and our perspectives may change as a result of that learning. At least, we’d hope it would.

I have recently embarked on this new adventure, of which I am collecting my random thoughts and idealistic diatribes on this very blog here. As part of that journey, I felt compelled to revisit the thoughts and definitions around product management and project management.

My current thought process defines those two terms as follows:

Product Management – conceive and nurture ongoing the greater idea of a product or service, its value proposition and idealistic goal

Project Management – implement the vision via smaller, logically sequenced incremental iterations (projects) that range end-to end (scope, development, test, communicate, deploy, teach)

Reflecting on those two high level definitions today, I still arrive at the conclusion that both are intricately connected, dependent on each other for insight and progress alike. As such, attempting to draw a dividing line between the two definitions would inherently cut off a vital component of each concept’s very nature, without which neither can succeed.

Which school of thought do you align with more closely? I would love to hear about it!

Week 5: Day 1 – The Hoxby Collective

Previously known as the Huckleberry Partners, the Hoxby Collective is a community based approach to the new concept of individual workflow. It is a collective of freelancers and solopreneurs at varying stages of their own adventure of going it alone.

What makes this model unique, thrilling, successful and growing, is the core concept of “give and get“. While everyone in the collective is independent, everyone makes a commitment to come together on a project by project basis to collaborate for a better, higher quality output for the client. Everyone pitches in their respective talent, experience and skill set, and then delivers exceptional results!

The concept of ‘give and get’ is that everyone can benefit from working together. A particular member may be successful at landing a brief or project, yet, cannot deliver on certain aspects. Rather than losing the project, the need is brought to the collective to complement the missing pieces at an increased level of quality, professionalism and delivery – together.

Because everyone is both contributing (give) as well as delivering (get), the sum total for the individual as well as the community, is a higher rate of value that can be won, accepted, developed and delivered.

Another core concept of the Hoxby Collective by virtue of the community aspect is the realization and evangelizing the idea of the individual workstyle. Everyone has an individual style of working, when and how one’s best work is being delivered – entirely independent of a particular location or time window in any given day. The movement embraces productivity before all else.

You should absolutely head on over to The Hoxby Collective and experience it for yourself!

Week 4 Day 2: I am not alone – Part 2

To add on to the previous post, I feel it needs a little bit more of the employee side, or rather solopreneur or freelancer aspect!

So, in my quest to step over the edge, I had been doing a lot of research prior to actually doing the deed (yes, by the way, that is an absolute must in your preparation steps, including building up a financial cushion to support your transition phase, but that is another topic all together to come later).

In my research, I ran across a growing number of individuals and even business models that thoroughly embrace the concept of remote or telecommuting. And the movement is growing!

I will start to list my treasured finds as I come across them on this blog as well. Maybe, they provide the last incentive for your ambitions to step over the edge!

If you find anything that would be worthwhile including in that list, or just want to offer up some of your feedback or revelations, please comment and share!

Week 4 Day 1: I am not alone!

Up until recently, I was fairly convinced that the thought of going it alone professionally was a fairly unique, or at least, not very common thought / concept.

Well, for the great news, it ain’t so! :) Excuse my language.

Within the traditional environment, there are a few companies out there that actually are beginning to embrace the concept of a “Green Day”; an idea of not commuting to an arbitrary office location for at least parts of a given work week, and instead, working from the home office. There is a realization that this not only benefits the employee, but to an equal amount, the employer as well.

Points at the top of that employer list are: increase in productivity, happiness, employee engagement and ultimately, yes, the old fashioned concept of loyalty!

While it may not be openly advertised, or endorsed just yet, it certainly is worthwhile to bring up the topic in your next review or performance meeting! Especially if the annual raise or merit review may not materialize, initiating a conversation around telecommuting may be just that “bonus” both sides are willing to entertain.

Week 3 Day 1: First Inkling

Having worked in a remotely distributed environment previously, I have had the privilege to experience the flexibility and individual workstyle such an arrangement can afford. Yet, in order to take advantage of that privilege, there are a few essential items that need to be discussed first:

  1. Attitude – have a positive outlook and mentality! Being positive projects into all aspects of life, including interaction – especially important for a webcam / Skype / email type of communication! And, not to forget: having that positive attitude will, no doubt, help you overcome the inevitable slump or hick-up on this new journey!
  2. Responsibility – it is up to you to get motivated, stay engaged and be responsible for your own schedule to get the work done and do the right thing!
  3. Accountability – you are the master of your own domain. Projects, work, engagement rises and falls with you – own it!
  4. Need for self organization – working remotely requires a strong need for self organization and self motivation; to get started in the morning, drive for progress every day, stay on top of things, keep involved with the team and the organization!

Week 2 Day 1: What to do next?

Getting into a new rhythm, slowly. I still get up at the crack of dawn and enjoy a nice hot cup of fresh ground brew, yet, I no longer feel the need to obey the continually ticking clock to get everyone and everything out the door by x, or else there’s heck to pay for the rest of the day equal to the amount of x + 1.

Today, I can pack a great school lunch, I can have highly intellectual debates around why it is a good idea to wear shorts in 50 degree weather with my offspring and I find it very refreshing to take a brisk walk over to the elementary school in same 50 degree weather and the sun peeking out from behind the clouds.

I have not yet arrived at complete zen in order to actually think about what to do next. I do know this much: it has to make a difference, it has to leave a positive impact, it has to be fulfilling and challenging at the same time, and it has to be fun!

Week 1 Day 1: Stepping over the edge

It’s been quite a while in the making, inclusive of much deliberating, soul searching, questioning sanity and feasibility, after all there is always the family to look out for.

But today is the day! I am stepping over the edge!

This will be my log to record thoughts, the ups and downs, the wins and the failures, the learning opportunities, and everything else in between. As such, it will be a rather random collection of things, very much a work in progress, trials and tribulations and 180 degree turns.

I invite you to come along on the journey, I have no idea where it will take me!