You provide some good tips, Chip, I guess if I can add a few more - I would not necessarily recomment a software project as a first project. Since Marco already has a foot in the door with PCs, why not work on a deployment project first, or a windows 2007 upgrade for a small client, a small fleet management project, an integration piece of work. With a diet light project plan, that way Marco doesn't have to make this big leapfrog. Software is tough, he is already in the smaller businesses who may have a more infrastructure related requirements.
The other is, go to the PMI and Prince2 networking groups, they have chapters all over the world. Get a mentor, and get some experience in project support, find another entry point. If Marco is a PMP, he has the continual education hours to comply with and they bring him in touch with other PMs looking for someone to support them on a big project. Project manage for a charity, or volunteer organisation. My certs and degrees did not get me in the door, my experience and track record did plus the fact that I got my hands dirty in mundane jobs.
Bloom where you are, butterflies will come.
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If Marco is actually hoping to focus on PM consulting, he may be experiencing a far more critical problem. Project Management is a term from our side of the fence ... not the customer's. Have you ever tried to explain to a small business person what project management is? Especially if you recognize that project management applies regardless of the nature of the project. Not going to happen. At least not easily.
Business people (and everyone else for that matter) sees in terms of their problems and a solution to their problem. So project management is seen as one element in a solution. And usually as an element provided by the solution provider (programmer). For example -- the business person says "I need a new A/R system". They don't say, I have a project so I need a project manager to lead it and a computer consulting group to recommend, customize and install it.
Identify a customer, identify where to connect with them, identify their biggest problem, then figure out how you can solve it for them. Then sell them on the benefits of no longer having the problem.
Glen Ford
http://www.vproz.ca
Business people (and everyone else for that matter) sees in terms of their problems and a solution to their problem. So project management is seen as one element in a solution. And usually as an element provided by the solution provider (programmer). For example -- the business person says "I need a new A/R system". They don't say, I have a project so I need a project manager to lead it and a computer consulting group to recommend, customize and install it.
Identify a customer, identify where to connect with them, identify their biggest problem, then figure out how you can solve it for them. Then sell them on the benefits of no longer having the problem.
Glen Ford
http://www.vproz.ca
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