The 4 Disciplines of Execution

Developing a strategy is doable, but executing is difficult, say the authors of The 4 Disciplines of Execution. The book’s objective is to help leaders execute their strategies, and to sort Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) - those things that are truly important - from the “whirlwind,” day-to-day tasks that are urgent but not necessarily important.
Read the full review on Industry Speaks.

Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos and Luck - why some thrive despite them all

Check out the Industry Speaks™ review of Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos and Luck - why some thrive despite them all.

Reviewer Bernie Siben, CPSM, notes that the authors report their results to enable the reader to examine his/her own choices, firm behavior, and the values by which firms survive, succeed and move forward.
Read the full review here.

Industry Speaks Panel Reviews The Ultimate Project Management Manual

UPDATE: The Ultimate Project Management Manual (UPMM), presented by PSMJ Resources Inc., is comprised of best practice resource materials to be utilized as a comprehensive resource guide by PM/CM professionals. A first edition was published in 1993 and this updated version published in 2012 reflects how the PM’s role has evolved and expanded over the past two decades, considering the impact of new technologies and integrated project delivery systems.

Industry Speaks™ has recruited a panel of experts to review the manual in a six-part series organized around key topics – Today’s PM, Running a PM Business, Project Initiation, Project Controls, Project Management, and The PM of the Future. The reviews will be posted in sequence and available to IndustrySpeaks.com subscribers and consultants with the first set to appear on January 10, 2013. Happy New Year!

Series Coordinator:
Lisa Sachs is managing principal of Cumming, a leading owner advocacy firm offering construction management services world-wide, responsible for successful delivery of large public and private sector building programs. Ms. Sachs is a licensed architect and an AIA fellow as well as a certified construction manager. She recently authored an authoritative new book on construction management entitled, What is Your Construction Management IQ? available for purchase through the Construction Management Association of America. You can reach Ms. Sachs at lsachs@ccorpusa.com.

Stop Wasting Your Time (and Money!)

Have you ever felt like you were throwing good money down the drain on books and courses that you felt were really going to answer some fundamental questions; only to be disappointed that the abstract didn’t deliver?

Well, now you have a better way to determine what is worth your time and money.  Industry Speaks will begin providing course and book reviews to our subscribers. Our first course review, Leadership Effectiveness, is being offered by aecKnowelge® as a six part, web-based series for CEUs.   This review, which will be posted in September, will be authored by Valicia Dantzer, a 13+ year human resources professional whose focus is in the development and implementation human resources strategies in the areas of recruitment and retention, performance management, diversity, employee relations, policies and procedures, leadership development, training and organizational

development, and Human Resource Information System (HRIS) applications. Additionally, she is a member and holds certificated from the Society in Human ResourceManagement (SHRM) and Professionals in Human Resources (PIHRA).

In early fall, we will be reviewing PSMJ Publications, “Strategic Planning - Preparing Your Firm for Success” and the “Ultimate PM Manual.”  Are there publications or courses that you’d like our independent counsel to review? Let us know.  Our industry professionals are more than happy to take requests.

Karen Compton, Founder & President

Industry Speaks

Sage Advice

When I started my consulting practice, six years ago, I wanted “sage advice” from experienced professionals.   I wanted counsel from other business owners and executives about what had worked along their path and what had failed.  I wanted someone to share “lessons learned” and provide me with a “wide-eye” view of the AEC business, so that I could be successful.

That same desire for advice and success is now an integral part of Industry Speaks. Our Advisory Board begins their inaugural tenure July 30^th and we are pleased and honored to have such broad industry experience, disciplines and geographies represented and include:

Elena Andrews, Steinberg Architects, Los Angeles, CA

Lynn Capouya, Lynn Capouya Landscapes Architects, Irvine, CA

Tess da Silva, Lend Lease, Los Angeles, CA

Deborah Hodges, Golden Square, Chicago, Illinois

Nancy Leven, Veneklasen & Associates, Santa Monica, CA

Gary Krakower, ARC Graphics, Santa Monica, CA

Jason Palmer, Web America, Irvine, CA

Lisa Sachs, FAIA, Cumming, Los Angeles, CA

David Salazar, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

Bernie Siben, Siben Consult, LLC, Austin, TX

Paula Stamp, PCL Construction, Glendale, CA

Ken Tichacek, Think Like Your Clients, Salisbury, VT

As members of the Advisory Board, their goal will be to provide counsel and direction into the development of reviews and recommendations that will purport our industry’s knowledge and create a sustainable path for business success in a global environment. 

Karen Compton, Founder & PresidentIndustry Speaks