21 Must Know Concepts

The demands placed on today's project managers are growing exponentially. To remain on the cutting edge, or even maintain your competitiveness, you've got to learn new concepts and master both new and traditional management techniques.

Why? Today's professional service firm has moved into the mainstream of business. The market forces that apply to Apple and Wal-Mart now apply to you. The seemingly protected world in which professional design and environmental services once worked is gone, and professional ethics and technical competence will not protect you from cutthroat competition. It's time to move on and raise your personal bar to a new height.

Use this checklist to start with the little things:

Best time to call a contractor………...	7 a.m.
Best time to call a client……………..	Tuesday, 8:45 a.m.
Best time to run a meeting…………..	11 a.m.
Best day to hold meetings…………...	Tuesday
Best time to do manpower planning...	Monday, 8 a.m.
Best day to mail invoices……………	23rd of the month (to get paid by the 1st)
Best time to open mail………………	4:30 p.m.
Best time to eat with clients…………	At breakfast
Best meeting format…………………	Standup meetings
Best way to control meetings………..	Take meeting minutes yourself
Best position among six firms  competing in a presentation…………	Last
Best form of contract………………..	Lump‑sum, with a well defined scope
Best employee……………………….	One who initiates action
Best length of workday……………...	9 hours maximum
Best day to avoid interruptions……...	Saturday
Best time to get things done…………	Before office hours
Best way to avoid conflict…………..	Straight communication
Best title on a business card…………	None at all
Best time to fire someone……………	Monday, 9 a.m.
Best project manager………………...	One who instructs team daily