Episode 174: "How to Run a World-Class PMO" with Lauri Accardi
In this episode, we speak with Lauri Accardi, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of CataPoint Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in technology, Lauri is a trusted expert in program and portfolio management (PPM), agile methodologies, and business transformation. Through her work, she has helped countless organizations streamline operations, optimize processes, and implement agile frameworks that drive measurable results. Join us as Lauri shares her journey into the world of program management and reveals how she became a leader in helping businesses navigate complex transformations. She defines the critical role a strong Program Management Office (PMO) plays, outlines the key pain points that an effective PPM solution can solve, and provides real-world examples of successful transformation initiatives. We also dive into the major shifts she’s witnessed in the PPM space over the past two decades and the biggest lessons learned along the way. Lauri offers practical advice for organizations evaluating PPM solutions and sheds light on why change management remains such a persistent challenge. Plus, she shares the most impactful piece of career advice she’s ever received—and how it shaped her leadership journey. Don’t miss this conversation packed with actionable insights for project leaders, portfolio managers, and anyone looking to drive change in their organization. Contact Lauri via her website. Connect with Lauri on LinkedIn Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you expert advice from industry leaders.
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Episode 173: "Unlock the Secret to Effective OKRs" with Ben Lamorte
In this episode, we speak with Ben LaMorte, a leading expert in helping businesses define their most critical objectives and achieve measurable results. As the founder of OKRs.com in 2014, Ben has personally guided over 100 organizations, including industry giants like eBay, Adobe, and Capital One, in successfully implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Join us as Ben shares his journey into the world of OKRs and provides a clear definition of this powerful goal-setting framework. He elaborates on how OKRs help teams stay focused on their ultimate destination and offers practical examples tailored for project leaders. We'll also explore the fascinating science and human biology that underpin the effectiveness of OKRs and uncover the telltale signs that indicate a team could benefit from this approach. Ben also sheds light on common pitfalls leaders face when defining OKRs and shares invaluable lessons learned from real-world examples of projects that initially struggled with OKR implementation but ultimately found success. Tune in for actionable insights and expert guidance on leveraging OKRs to drive progress and achieve your most important goals. Contact Ben via his website. Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at corasystems.com/okrguide
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Episode 172: "How to Manage Organizational Change" with Richard Carson
In this episode, we sit down with Richard Carson, consultant, author, and researcher in Organizational Change Management. As CEO & President of Carson & Associates, Richard has spent his career advising public and private organizations on change management, strategic planning, and performance improvement. With deep expertise in driving transformation, Richard shares insights from his book The Book of Change and reveals the key factors that make or break organizational change. We’ll explore what change management really means, the biggest obstacles organizations face, and the essential ingredients for success. Richard also dives into lessons learned from his research, real-world examples of change initiatives—both successful and failed—and the most valuable career advice he's ever received. Contact Richard via his website Check out "The Book of Change" by Richard here Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Learn the keys to effective change management by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/changeguide
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Episode 171: "How to get Strategy & Sustainability Right" with Martina Huemann
In this episode, we sit down with Martina Huemann, Professor of Project Leadership and Society at UCL and WU Vienna. With over 20 years of experience, Martina is a leading voice in empowering project leaders and advancing impactful scholarship. Martina connects academic insights with practical strategies, inspiring global leaders and organizations to achieve sustainable project success. Martina delves into the critical role of sustainability in project management. We'll explore how to translate corporate sustainability strategies into impactful projects, the key to selecting the right projects for a sustainable future, and the vital role of the PMO in supporting sustainable project delivery. Martina will also share valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls in strategy and sustainability, and offer invaluable career advice gleaned from years of experience. Chapters: 00:00 - 04:19 Introduction to Martina 04:20 - 09:54 What is sustainability and why is it important? 10:33 - 13:41 Corporate sustainability strategy translated into projects 13:42 - 17:23 Key to selecting the right projects 17:24 - 20:30 Role of the PMO 20:31 - 22:57 Pitfalls to avoid when it comes to strategy and sustainability 22:58 - 24:12 What's the most impactful advice you've received for your career? 24:13 - 25:58 Where to find Martina online? Connect with Martina on LinkedIn Contact Martina via email m.huemann@ucl.ac.uk Pick up a copy of Martina's latest book, The Handbook of Project Management: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbook-Project-Management-Martina-Huemann/dp/103222763X Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Find out how grid modernization can facilitate decarbonizing of the energy sector by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/gridmodernization
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Episode 170: 2024 Highlights
This is a bonus episode of Project Management Paradise where we listened back through some of the key points from our interviews over 2024. Highlights include hand-picked insights into empathetic leadership, organizational change, time management skills and how to deal with a narcissist in the workplace. Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. We’d love to hear your guest suggestions! Feel free to email us at hello@projectmanagementparadise.com Bonus Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at corasystems.com/okrguide
Delivering real project management insights from experts and industry leaders from around the world.
The podcast is sponsored by Cora Systems providers of enterprise project and portfolio management solutions and services to government agencies and large-scale global organizations. To see how Cora can help your organization visit corasystems.com
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