Following my little tech tangent, it’s time to get back on topic.
The second day of the Project Management Institute (PMI), San Diego Chapter, two day conference was also very good last week. The Handlerey hotel was a very pleasant setting, the enthusiasm was high, and the organizers did a terrific job.
Topics ranged from Career Enhancement to Establishing an Undercover PMO and much more. There were more booths and perhaps more attendees than Thursday. Tom Mattus was a very interesting speaker engaging the audience with a ‘current state’ of Project Management and an interesting activity that showed most groups had very similar lessons learned from prior projects.
This week I thought I would try something new. Since engaging executives at potential clients has been more challenging than expected, I thought I would offer myself up as a volunteer at some local companies (and by local, I mean within a five minute drive). I will offer my typical services free of charge on a part-time basis for up to one month. By limiting the number of hours per week, I hope to get my foot in the door with more than one company. I truly believe that once they get to know me and see the value I bring, we will engage in dialogue that will result in work.
I am also considering offering coaching to their managers or executives as part of the volunteer activity. Although I am not certified, I have practiced coaching techniques as a manager with my direct reports and peers. This would allow me to get to know some of the team and start building a relationship with the organization.
If readers have any stories or practices to share about marketing activities that worked for you, it would be great to share those.
Gabor