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Mike Russell

A Simple Secret to Highly Effective Organizations

July 9, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

Simple Secret to Highly Effective Organizations - Mike Russell

We know a lot about how individuals can be effective based on motivation and productivity.  For example, Dan Pink’s book Drive demonstrates why purpose, mastery, and autonomy are key to individual motivation.  Focus is key to individual productivity.

But what about a business, government, or other organization?  What makes them effective?

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How Can Government Succeed Amid Relentless Change?

June 28, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

How Can Government Succeed Amid Relentless Change? The Minimum Viable Government - Mike Russell

Brexit – shorthand for the UK’s exit from the EU – loudly asks:  How can we build better government to respond to OUR own needs?  Given the shock waves from the referendum, it also asks:  Must change be so difficult?  How can governments, not normally known for being nimble and responsive to change, structure and adapt for the better in the age of relentless change?

I believe the answers are in Minimum Viable Government (MVG).  A MVG is the government equivalent of a Minimum Viable Business.  It implements the “Wrong Until Right” mindset appropriately for its mission.

What might a Minimum Viable Government look like?

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Why Do Agile Transformations Fail?

June 24, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

Every large scale Agile transformation we’ve visited flounders and under performs.

Why?

When we examine root causes it is always because 98% of the executives and managers believe they can implement an Agile program without understanding what Agile is.

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9 Powerful Trump Cards to Win the Project Game

June 12, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

9 Powerful Trump Cards to Win the Project Game - Mike Russell

Interesting questions come my way. A recent one was “What are the top 10 skills to be a successful project manager?”

My answer was to focus less on specific skills that the outcome of good project management.  Below are some of my responses.  Even though the points are phrased as what concept trumps another, the concepts are not “either/or” but “both/and.”  Some just generally have higher value to PMs.

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216 slides?!? Presentation Purgatory …

May 19, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

216 Slides?!? Presentation Purgatory - Mike Russell

Death by PowerPoint.  Many of you probably recognize that term and can feel the pain.

There have been years of talk, many articles, what seems like a billion blog posts, and even books about improving slide presentations.  Why then do we still see, for instance, insanely long presentations like the one referenced in the title?

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How to guarantee disconnects with your customers

May 14, 2016 by Mike Russell Leave a Comment

How to Guarantee Disconnects with Your Customers - The Power of Language - Mike Russell

Language is critical to success in business and life.  It is easy to talk “our” talk.  However, we need to talk in language our customers can understand.  That is the only way we can successfully connect with them and vice versa.

Conversely, we can guarantee disconnects and discontent if we forge ahead, talking our way and in “our business” language.  And disconnects can lead to ruptures and outright customer loss.

[Read more…] about How to guarantee disconnects with your customers

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