March 2, 2009 - "PRIDE"-PM PROJECT SCHEDULING
This is Part XXXI in our series on the "PRIDE" Methodologies for IRM. In this edition we describe Project Scheduling as defined by "PRIDE"-Project Management (PM).
The full text for this section can be obtained by clicking: HERE.
NEXT UP: "PRIDE"-PM - Project Reporting.
If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.
Keep the faith!
OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is...
"Time lost is time lost forever; You cannot buy it back."
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We have also produced a one-day training program of the same name. For more information on both the eBook and course, please visit our web site at:
While there, look for our MS PowerPoint presentation describing both the book and the training program.
MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "CONSERVATIVE STEREOTYPES"
Following the release of one of my more politically inclined columns, I was accused by a reader of being an ultra conservative. The reader based his comments on established stereotypes of conservatives which I personally find distasteful. Such images have become rather old and tiresome, but were still effective in last year's elections. These stereotypes were concocted by the Media over time and inevitably raise their ugly heads during election time. What concerns me though is these images are simply fallacious and aimed at misleading people away from the true issues at hand. Let me give you some prime examples of conservative stereotypes:
CONSERVATIVES ARE PRO-BUSINESS, EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF SQUASHING ANYTHING
THAT GETS IN THEIR WAY, INCLUDING THE LITTLE GUY.
I think it is no secret that conservatives believe in the free enterprise
system, the land of opportunity, and an honest day's wage for an honest day's
work, but I do not believe they are as ruthless as they are portrayed. They
are unapologetic capitalists who want less government control, not more.
Conservatives tend to see government as the servant of the people, not the
other way around. This drives anybody opposed to this way of thinking absolutely
crazy, particularly socialists and communists. It's no small wonder that
capitalists are portrayed as "fat-cats" who profit off the worker.
The reality is that you will find just as many liberals in the board room as you will find conservatives. Further, anyone who has faced the realities and risks of starting up his/her own company, particularly a small business, is somewhat inclined to appreciate capitalist principles.
CONSERVATIVES DO NOT SHARE AND WANT TO CREATE A MASTER/SLAVE CLASS SOCIETY.
This is just plain bunk. First, greed knows no political ideologue. Second,
we're back to the capitalist argument whereby conservatives appreciate
hard work and reward accordingly. Look, it's simple, you cannot do everything
yourself; you have to delegate, empower, and support your people, which includes
compensating them accordingly. It's just plain smart business. And third,
conservatives give generously of themselves for a wide variety of causes.
Although they balk at turning their wallets completely over to the government,
conservatives gladly lend a helping hand to those who truly need it.
Liberals certainly do not hold a monopoly on charitable causes.
CONSERVATIVES ARE ANTI-ENVIRONMENT.
It is generally believed that if you are a conservative, you have a fundamental
disregard for the planet; that you want to rape the Earth and eradicate its resources.
My question is, "Why?" This would imply that conservatives are like some visitors
from outer space here to plunder the earth's resources and leave a dead shell. I'm
afraid I haven't seen the conservative flying saucer yet, and I think we are all stuck
on this planet together. In fact, conservatives have found such things as
conservation, recycling, and land reclamation are not just good ideas, it's smart
business.
CONSERVATIVES ARE ULTRA RELIGIOUS.
Show me a fanatical Bible thumper and I'll show you a conservative; Right?
Wrong. I can't begin to tell you how many liberals I have met through organized
religion. We often hear of the "Religious Right" which primarily consists of
Christian groups, but I don't recall where it is written that a belief in Jesus Christ
is a prerequisite for becoming a conservative. In fact, I've met conservatives from
just about every religious faith imaginable. I will grant that conservatives tend
to derive their core values from their religious beliefs, whatever they may be, but
they are certainly not religious fanatics.
There is an interesting dichotomy here: whereas conservatives are accused of unethical behavior in business and the environment, they are also portrayed as religious zealots. I guess the assumption here is that organized religion doesn't promote ethical behavior.
CONSERVATIVES ARE UNEDUCATED, UNIMAGINATIVE, AND ONLY FOLLOW PARTY LINES.
There is a general belief that conservatives are incapable of intelligent
discourse, are crude and lack creativity, and thereby must be told
what to do. Gee, it kind of sounds like the goons in the Nazi Party
under Adolph Hitler doesn't it?
The notion that conservatives are old-fashioned fuddy-duddies who resist change is erroneous. I know a lot of liberals who have been unbending in their ideas since the 1960's.
Since conservatives tend to have a business perspective they are somewhat inclined to be freethinkers, meaning if it makes sense to them, they'll buy it, regardless of who sells it. They will also make it plain if they do not agree with you, and perhaps this is what bothers their opposition. In fact, I find conservatives to be more open to debate; for example, consider the popularity of conservative talk radio programs (you don't see too many liberal programs do you?)
CONSERVATIVES DO NOT HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR.
For a long time, conservatives have had to endure all kinds of jokes
as communicated through political bumper stickers, cartoons, and late night
comedians. In the process I think they have developed some rather thick skin
and do, in fact, appreciate a good joke, although I admit their humor is not as
destructive as others. But what is good for the goose should be good for the
gander. Try poking fun at a liberal and you are accused of blasphemy.
Now that's funny.
CONSERVATIVES ARE RACISTS.
I'm not even going to dignify this with a rebuttal.
CONCLUSION
The concept of conservative stereotypes is nothing more than brainwashing for the purpose of social engineering by the Media. Young people are taught early on that being a conservative is not "cool"...
"Did you know he is a conservative?"
"Really? He's one of them? Wow! That's lame."
Behind the facade of the conservative stereotypes is a deeply-rooted resentment to capitalism, which the conservatives embrace. Anti-capitalists want to replace the system and evenly spread the wealth regardless of how much effort a person exerts to earn it. To conservatives, capitalism is the stimulus that encourages people to become entrepreneurs; to move forward and take risks, to boldly go where no one has gone before, to evolve, and hopefully succeed.
Like I said earlier, I have been accused of being an "ultra" conservative. As an aside, a friend recently pointed out to me, how come we do not apply this adjective to liberals (an "ultra" liberal)? I guess it is another attempt to stereotype conservatives as extremists (and liberals are not?).
It has been my experience that conservatives take their fiduciary responsibilities seriously, they are not afraid to be held accountable for their actions, they want to lead a worthy and meaningful life, and possess an ethical makeup derived from their religious beliefs. If this is what an "ultra" conservative is, then I plead, "Guilty. Most guilty."
Sorry Janeane, the wiring is just fine.
"Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart.
Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains."
- Winston Churchill
Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.
Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.
"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"
Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.
Also, if you happen to be in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, be sure to stop by and check out our new Palm Harbor Business OASIS, a new business venue offering local business people a place to meet, work, network, and relax. Why pay a lot for leasing office space when you can become a member of the OASIS for as little as $100/month? For more information, visit our web site at: http://www.phboasis.com/
AND FINALLY...
I received the following e-mail regarding my Pet Peeve on "Cancer, The Big Kahuna":
A T.A. of Minnesota wrote...
"Education is key! I choose to prevent cancer rather than have to battle it later."
An L.T. of Fall River, Massachusetts wrote...
"Much progress has been made in the treatment of Cancer but until it no longer exists there will never be enough progress."
I received the following e-mail regarding my Pet Peeve on "Surcharges":
A P.G. of Dubos, Pennsylvania wrote...
"I know what you mean, every time I look at my bills there is another charge."
A J.D. of Tampa, Florida wrote...
"I watch some companies very carefully when they add on these surcharges. One such company was the local cleaners - they added a fuel surcharge when gas prices rose. Later, when the surcharge wasn't removed, I stopped doing business there. Unfortunately we don't always have a choice of where to do business when it comes to monopolies, like utilities."
Again, thanks for your comments. For these and other comments, please visit my "Bryce is Right!" web site.
Keep those cards and letters coming.
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This is Tim Bryce reporting.
Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."
END
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