Project Management Concepts – Only Assigned Work
Posted by in Project Management Triangle on September 9, 2011
I’ve been giving some thought recently as to what lies behind the work we do as project managers. Too often we get caught up in the tools and techniques, the how of what we do, without looking at the concepts and ideas behind it, the why of what we do.
Today, I want to look at one of the fundamental ways we maintain control on a project. As we already know, control is impossible without awareness. So we’ll also look at one of the ways that we can gain that awareness. The concept I am looking at today is: Only work a project team member is doing on something assigned by the project manager is project work.
We know we need both awareness and control of the project. One of the clearest and simplest ways for us to gain awareness is to make sure that only we assign work that project team members do on the project. Indeed, this is one of the purposes of the our role – to allocate the work sensibly, without having to do it all him- or herself.
But by assigning the work, we are also taking control. By doing this, we are demonstrating to the project team that only work assigned like this is work that should be being done on the project. Thus, assigning work gives us more than just awareness, it is also giving us control.
That means that making sure you, as the manager of the project, are the only one handing out the work, and the one making sure that that work is being done, is vital. Only the work that you have assigned should be being done by your team members.
And that gives us our project management concept: Only work a project team member is doing on something assigned by the project manager is project work Read the rest of this entry »
Real Estate Funding – How to Find Private Money Investors
Posted by in Investor Funding on September 9, 2011
Real estate funding using private money to close your investment properties is like having the keys to the bank vault.
It’s money you have access to around the clock and if you’ve ever been in a situation where you know you had to close a deal in less than 24 hours, then having immediate access to private money is crucial to your REI success.
I’m sure there will come a time where you’ll need to close a deal within 24 to 48 hours and having access to private money will allow you to get the deal done.
Some of the benefits of using real estate funding using private money is it provides fast closings, access to an abundance of money, and confidence knowing you can close the deal.
“Private investors want to lend you money.”
Why? Because only with real estate can you promise a safe, secure, guaranteed investment and learning the skills to structure the deal correctly using real estate funding will bring you success.
“Let’s think about it for a moment.”
By taking the time to educate yourself correctly and applying the skills needed, you can offer a private investor 15% to 30% return on investment. The investor gets his money back plus a healthy return on investment and you get to keep the remaining profits. It’s a win, win for everyone.
Unlike a hard-money lender, which are also great, a private investor won’t charge you points and you can generally roll your interest payments to be paid in full once you sell the property and make a profit.
What is a private investor?
A private investor could be anyone that might not even invest in real estate or know the benefits real estate funding with private money provides.
He’s the guy with an IRA, Sep Plan, business owner retiree, doctors, lawyers, CEO’s, and upper management.
Basically anyone you can think off that might have money. It’s out there and it’s easier than you think to find private money for your real estate funding, if you just know were to look for it. Where to find private money investor?
It’s obvious the first place you would look for private money is your family and friends. Stay away from family and friends. Most of times, depending on your family you’ll come to find out they will try to talk you out of it. You’ll have a much harder time convincing them than if you just go out and talk to random investors. Read the rest of this entry »
Top Three Virtual World Development Environments
Posted by in Development Environment on September 9, 2011
Virtual worlds let users interact with each other in a real-time, computer-based 3D environment. You might think of a gaming environment when you think of these virtual spaces, but there are a number of other needs that development companies address for varying clients. No matter what your need is there’s likely to be a virtual world development solution that can help you. Here are three of the most popular virtual world development environments:
1. Gaming – It’s true; the gaming industry does rely heavily on the attraction of virtual worlds for many of its top sellers. The reason this development works so well with gamers is because it adds a layer of competition. Interactive computer technology gives you the chance to explore the exciting graphics you can’t get from a traditional board game while still being able to challenge other actual online players. With virtual worlds, you no longer have to settle with competing against the computer; gamers from around the globe can meet, battle and form alliances or rivalries in a quest for ultimate galaxy power-all without even having to leave their desks.
2. Sales and Marketing- Businesses also benefit from this training. Conferences and client meetings can take place over the computer thanks to technologies that connect the two parties in real-time. More businesses are pitching sales and using marketing strategies this way because it cuts down on travel costs and time. In addition, meetings can occur more frequently and strengthen business partnerships and networks and can even show virtual prototypes.
3. Training and Distance Learning- Businesses and educational institutions are taking advantage of virtual meeting places to train or teach groups of people. Employee training is standardized and better managed by larger corporations who use these programs, as a centralized training team can virtually meet with employees from any company branch. As virtual training tools, this creates cost savings for businesses because they don’t need to pay travel expenses and can have rapid prototypes built for review virtually. In addition, training can be standardized through the use of these tools and can be imported directly into your learning management system. Distance learning courses also provide added educational benefits with classrooms. Students better share and build on ideas and concepts when they’re able to interact directly with each other, no matter where they are located. Read the rest of this entry »