Note From the Editor by Raechel Logan
Here in the AtTask offices, like many other offices in the world, we've just ended our third quarter; which, of course, means that we've also just begun a new one. After wrapping up our goals, objectives and projects of the last quarter, we are all beginning the process of planning for the new one – which just happens to be the last quarter of the year.
Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." And Plato said, "The beginning is the most important part of the work." This [the beginning] is a crucial time for us – we have the opportunity to refresh, restart, reboot and do things right. Our teams can come together to plan and make decisions, re-engage and buy-in. And, if we stick to Henry Ford's process, if we stay together and work together, we can make this quarter our most successful yet. But, as Plato said, the beginning is the most important part.
So, with the beginning (and it's eventual end) in mind – whether it be the start of a new quarter, a new project, or maybe just a new way of thinking, this week's newsletter is designed to equip you with tools and guides to turn this beginning into a successful end. For, says Lao Tzu, "If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure."
Feature Article by Ty Kiisel
The Beginning and the End
In 1519, driven by his personal ambitions and desire for fame, Hernando Cortes left Cuba for the Yucatan Peninsula with 11 ships and a small army to explore and conquer the Aztecs-defying the orders of Diego Velazquez, the Spanish Governor of Cuba (who wanted the glory and praise from Spain for himself). After landing on the beach, and before advancing into the interior for conquest and treasure…
Read the complete article here
What's New With AtTask
Looking At The Big Picture
A few weeks ago I participated in a team building activity. With approximately 20 people, we each had a picture, and without speaking we had to put the pictures in order. We quickly realized each page was part of a story. Some pictures were unidentifiable because it was zoomed in so closely while others were zoomed way out. We had one person step back to view everyone holding their picture to put them in order. This was a successful approach; all it took was stepping back and looking at the big picture…
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Work Management Tour – Register Now
London, UK – October 12, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us next Wednesday in London (at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall) for the next stop on the AtTask Work Management Tour. Tour passes and a full English breakfast for you and your team are complimentary.
You will hear from AtTask "power user" Jason Follin, Information Systems Programme Office Manager for Sage and from AtTask experts (including Trevor Ward, AtTask EMEA General Manager). Jason will share why Sage chose AtTask to help increase visibility, improve collaboration and cooperation across their organisation.
Registration closes on October 11th at Midnight. Don't miss this great event!
Learn More
Join Us for the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Orlando, Florida – October 16 – 20
We're turning the award-winning AtTask Work Management solution into a game for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo. During the conference, you can complete tasks like, "Exchange Business Cards with a Colleague," or "Introduce Yourself to an AtTask Expert." The more tasks you complete, the greater your chances of winning great prizes, like Skullcandy® earbuds and more.
Visit our booth (#1237) in the Pacific Hall to claim your prize and learn more about how AtTask brings work to life for people by helping them better understand and organize their work.
Attend Gartner Symposium FREE
As a sponsor, we are pleased to extend an offer for you to attend Gartner Symposium/ITxpo at no cost to you. Register using priority code [ATTASKSHO] to receive your complimentary ITxpo show floor pass (valued at $295).
What's Included in your Pass?
- Access to the show floor only as a full paying attendee
- Access to keynote sessions
- Refreshment breaks
Passes are limited, register online today.
Webinar – Project Communication and Empathy
Geoff Crane, Papercut PM – October 26, 1:00 pm EST
Our upcoming webinar will feature a live audio broadcast of the popular TalkingWork podcast. Hosts Ty Kiisel and Raechel Logan will be discussing Project Communication and Empathy with well-known blogger, Geoff Crane, the Papercut PM.
As a reminder, all registrants will be entered into a drawing to win a Tauntaun sleeping bag, register now for you chance to win.
Watch On-Demand – Why Most PPM Systems Fail and How To Guarantee Success
If you were unable to attend or would like to review the presentation, you can watch it now.
What You Will Learn
Burke Alder and Adam Michaelson of the AtTask Product team will take you on a tour of project management pitfalls and how you can step beyond the same old Gantt charts and status meetings. Also, hear from special guest Ali Dekan, Progam Manager & AtTask Sys Admin for Qualcomm, discuss team engagement.
Blog Posts
Do Happy People Work Better?
Earlier this week I came across an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald by Ross Gittins. Right out of the gate he suggests, "In the quest to lift the flagging productivity of labour, we can go back to old, failed ideas or move on to new ones." I'm pretty convinced that we need to change the way we look at productivity and worker engagement if we really want to help project teams (and the larger organizations they are a part of) be successful…
Read the complete blog post here
Our Technology Security Blankets
As a very young child I had what I so lovingly referred to as "my blanky" – a security blanket that I carried around with me everywhere I went. I'm serious, EVERYWHERE. It was a part of me. You may be wondering why I'm discussing my childhood blanky addiction with you. Well, it's because I've recently discovered that I have an adult version of blanky. It's called my iPhone. We all know that when it comes to projects and project management, communication is key. The unfortunate thing about text messaging, instant messaging, and even e-mailing is that so many elements of communication get lost – tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc…
Read the complete blog post here
Implementation Strategy 1: Early Education
Over the next few weeks I want to share a couple observations I've made while implementing different software packages. An important part of every software implementation is understanding how to receive value from the system. Nobody begins an implementation expecting or wanting to fail. A failed implementation rarely builds confidence of managers, colleagues, or subordinates in your ability as a worker. However, all too often people implementing software place stumbling blocks in the path to success that don't need to be there…
Read the complete blog post here
Scope Creep to Scope "Timber"
Earlier this month I went to my cabin in the Uinta Mountains of Utah to do some maintenance. As I was clearing the nearby forest of debris, I decided to cut down some dead pines to make room for other smaller ones. I was not ready for what was coming. When cutting trees in the past, I usually used a chainsaw. On this trip, however, I only had an axe…After about five grueling hours, I was on the same tree, ready to give up. Sometimes, for all the work invested in a project, success just ends up being a big problem in disguise. For me, it was due to neglecting a few fundamentals of project management…
Read the complete blog post here
