MooPig's B2B Department :: "Project Priorities"

Corralled by Pat Darnell  |  Nov 14, 2012  |  Bryan TX

[Picture LINK]

How many times have you had this conversation with your boss: "There are so many projects going on right now, which ones are the most important?" They reply: "They are all equally as important, they are all high priority and they all need to be done yesterday!" What do you do when you get this type of answer? Simply follow these:

5 Tips for Setting Project Priorities

Use the following questions to help you set your own project priorities:

Question #1 – Does the Project Bring in Revenue?

Companies are in business to make money. That's why everyone goes to great lengths to get as much done as possible with limited resources and short time frames. You can never go wrong with this question if you are struggling with setting project priorities. Choose the project to work on that will bring in revenue to the company if you have a choice to make. For example, there may be one phase of the project that needs to be complete in order to receive the next payment of 25%. Finish this project first before you move on to a new project that may not be as close to bringing cash into the company.

Question #2 – Will Closing this Project Create Client Noise?

Unfortunately, sometimes projects don't go as planned. This is bad enough when the project is an internal project, but it can really cause friction when the project is for a client. Dates may begin to slip or functionality may not work as intended. Clients can become frustrated and may begin getting a bit vocal. This gradual crescendo of discontent can quickly escalate to a full-blown roar if not carefully managed. Payment can start being withheld, VPs start getting involved, and meetings designed to reset expectations are necessary in order to get things back on track. These are the next types of projects you would move up in the queue to work on as you prioritize your projects.

Question #3 – Will Closing this Project Create Internal Noise?

This question is a variation of quieting client noise. Internal noise can be almost as bad as client noise and many times a bit more intense. It sounds like this... "I would be able to finish my deliverable, but I'm waiting on the specification that is running 8 weeks behind!" That particular deliverable is a project that you have been assigned to manage. This deliverable may not be complete for legitimate reasons (for example, limited resources, shifting priorities, changing scope) but it is being used as the poster child for why someone else internally is running behind. These are the next projects you want to tackle and bring to closure.

Question #4 – Is it a Strategic Project?

Now that you have projects that are bringing in revenue and the noise is down to a dull roar, you can focus on those projects that are strategic in nature. These are projects that will be introducing a new product, taking the company in a different direction, or supporting some other strategic initiative the company has defined. These types of projects are typically less crisis-oriented and longer term in nature. These can fit in nicely around paying client projects while these new projects gradually shift the direction of the company.

Question #5 – What's Left?

You are now down to the final question. What projects are left? These projects are typically pet projects from VPs and Executives that they would like to get done. They may not necessarily further the company's big picture, but they will make their department's job easier. Or, these may be projects that fall into the "nice-to-have" category but would not be considered mission critical.

There is one exception to the order of the questions above. Question #4 can quickly move to the top of the list depending upon the current state of the company. The company may be on the verge of going out of business because of offering antiquated or out-of-date products or services. Nothing else matters beyond changing the strategic direction of the company if this is the case. Question #4 will rocket to the top of this list and everything else will become a lower priority.

So the next time you hear they answer "they're all important", use the questions above to help you manage setting project priorities. You will quickly find that this process will become second nature and you will automatically be picking the next best project to work on!

Prioritize your projects by using ProjectManager.com. You can include project priorities that range from "Critical" to "Not Important" and sort your projects accordingly.


__________________Reference
http://www.projectmanager.com/?utm_source=Constant%2BContact&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Method123%3A%2BOctober%2B2012%2B-%2BWeek%2B2
https://secure.projectmanager.com/online-software-signup-step1.aspx?plan=1&utm_source=Constant%2BContact&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Method123%3A%2BOctober%2B2012%2B-%2BWeek%2B2

Which Sport Requires the Most Athleticism? - Throwing It Out There

[Picture LINK]

Which Sport Requires the Most Athleticism? - Throwing It Out There:

"It's overlap season! Baseball, the NFL, college football, the NHL, NASCAR and MLS all are all in their playoffs or regular seasons, NBA camps have started and Midnight Madness is Friday. With that in mind, our question: Which sport requires the most athleticism?"(Sports Editor | October 8, 2007. LINK)

1. NBA
2. NFL
3. NHL
4. MLS
5. NCAA Football
6. NCAA B-ball
7. Baseball
8. NASCAR isn't a sport. (Posted by: SnorlaxMcSoggybottom | October 9, 2007)

At MooPig International we think it is a term in sportscasting that has evolved in a type of conjugation: from athlete, to athletic, to athleticism ... and we think that the term "athleticism" will be liberally used by sportscasters tomorrow in the Super Bowl XLVI. It has been blurbed out in almost every football game we watched this 2011-12 season.  How many times will it be used? We might make a wager on that.

[astorian says on 04-03-2006]: " ... Just in case people disagree with me, and think "athletic" is a fine word, I'll provide some comparable adjectives for use in other walks of life:

"The Beatles were a very musical band." - Greil Marcus

"Steve Spielberg is the most cinematic director in Hollywood." - Roger Ebert

"The U.S. Marine Corps will give Saddam trouble- they're a highly military unit." - Tom Clancy (LINK) ... "

What does Twitter Have to Say?
If you watched sports telecasts and had come from another culture (but comprehended English), you would think the word "athleticism" means "Black Guy".

In the last ten years, I've heard one announcer use the term "athleticism" in describing a White Guy. That was this year (Of course, it was in an SEC game.)

Before that? Well, can you say "John Havlicek?" (UMRBlog. Nov 25, 2009. LINK)

Someone actually published a story several years back where they noted that sportscasters more frequently describe black athletes in terms of their physique and athleticism (i.e. Ty Lawson is so fast, Gerald Henderson is so strong) but describe white athletes in terms of their "smarts" and work ethic (Tyler Hansbrough's will exceeds his skill) (November 27, 2009, Anonymous said.)

Rocky Cola said...
Jimmy the Greek wants to join this discussion, but he doesnt have wireless underground.
(9:37 AM, November 28, 2009)

'via Blog this'

What Does the Urban Dictionary say?

1. athleticism 40 up, 9 down
The art of neglecting fat kids.
Dodgeball, Tag, and Movement are all prime examples of athleticism. (Urban Dic. HERE)

--AND--

1. Athletischism 3 up, 1 down
Athletischism - When an athlete's off-the-field actions and habits conflict with rather than re-enforce natural skills and talents.
The slugger had a lot of innate athletic ability early in his career, but unfortunately, a fondness for strip clubs and whiskey led to an athletischism in his athleticism.

What do the Blogs Say?
The year [2011] began with ESPN — no stranger to sexist misbehavior — firing announcer Ron Franklin after he told Fiesta Bowl sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards, "Why don't you leave this to the boys, sweet baby?" and responded to her objections with an expletive. In the latest example of male boorishness ... (Cohen, Andrew. Jan 27, 2011. LINK)

Not like we did a decade ago, when the Women’s World Cup won by the American team on American soil signaled a newfound respect for women’s athleticism. Remember those heady days, of athletes posing naked with soccer balls, of Brandi Chastain’s sports bra, of the self-described Booters with Hooters? Remember how Kristine Lilly, who saved the Americans in the final against China with a header off the line in extra time, was completely ignored and forgotten by the media and advertisers, while the more quote-unquote “marketable” Mia Hamm said or did nothing of consequence during the tournament, but made millions in endorsements? (LINK)

[Picture LINK] [AP PHOTO]

Every league that uses sex to sell, marketing its athletes with pinup calendars; every athlete who poses naked as some sort of nod to “athleticism”; every “marketable” sportscaster who feeds a marketing machine that objectifies women helps undercut the effort to portray female athletes as athletes first. (LINK)

Last Word?
What does "athletic" mean? Does it mean they're very fast? Very agile? Have great endurance? What?

It could mean "Not brainy," a team that doesn't play particularly smart ball, but wins through purely physical skills.

I do know this about soccer, though. The skills that its players learn over the years translate well to other sports. There's a reason why the NBA has more than its share of Eastern European players; it's because they play soccer as youngsters and develop a high level of foot-eye coordination, an underrated athletic virtue that many American players simply don't have. (Bruce Buratti | The Express-Times. August 12, 2011. LINK)

Several qualities could compensate for a lack of athletic abililty in athletic competition: braininess, depth, experience, competitive spirit, coaching...a team that lacked all of these, and still won, might be a team whose athleticism is dominant. (LINK)

And any sportscaster serious about wanting to celebrate women’s athleticism would recognize what Reebok was attempting to buy, and refuse to sell it. (LINK)

MooPig, because of its close connections to boorish maleness, thinks that "athleticism" means the "singularity" that, after all, means "MoJo."

_______________Reference
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=athleticism
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/throwing-it-out-there/2007/10/which_sport_requires_the_most.html
http://uppermiss.blogspot.com/2009/11/athleticism.html
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-365691.html
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bruce-buratti/index.ssf/2011/08/soccer_while_a_noble_sport_has.html

Coming Soon To a Blog Near You !!!

WholeEarth Catch Phrases, Watchwords, Slogans
MooPig wants to know these unlikely correlations and many other things that cross their minds on a regular weekend of laying on a couch... "It pertains to our ever widening observations of philosophy on the streets -- that professor Kelleher elucidated in 1998 -- Candle Wax Effect of social welfare, so we do not assume everyone has an agenda -- techno barbaric-ism !! For instance:
Blogger Huggers

Interloping Webels W/O a CauseWay: Perfection meets total Destruction

Cinema speak:

• "Stay with me..."
• "What is the worst case scenario?"
• "A Must See !!"
• "Gimme the Key !!"
• "I'm an Actor !!"
• "In Harm's Way !!"
  
• "The best Thespians are the ones who dress like young women."
  

Global Strip Centers: No Handicap Parking Available

Way Out'ta Your League: Casino Royale [there is no system for Roulette]

Enjoy Your Stay, but Don't Eat the Cat: Part II [Pribek.net]

Who's Your God-- Daddy?

Rude & Cowardly Enterprise Integration
REality Expletives Deleted

Yantra's To Go: BOGO

BligZards: the Chameleon Review

Faux-Arts School: Teen NetWorkings

I Don't Know How to Thank you... Thank God, not me, He wants us to survive [The Pianist]

Pianist Review: That's the Relic we Need !!

• "The Historical Imperative is at work; so look on the Bright Side !!" [The Pianist]
  

SlamPoon: Swank Moogazine

• "What's all those years of wankering about, mean, anyway?"

Origins of Wickki -- Jewish Scribe? Rabbi? Contrived Anarchy Menorah?

• No Flame
• External Heat
• Wax Melts
• Leaves Wick Behind
• Wickkedly Wickki !!

Techno Barbaric: Cut/Paste Gone Wilde

Duke Ellington Statue in Central Park, Harlem side----------------------}

How many companies Export to Asia? & Why does my Ten year old Dream of having one of these?

Motorola finally launches U.S. Linux Phone

May 15, 2007Linux/Java has topped CEO Ed Zander's list of things to look for from Motorola as it attempts a financial turnaround. At a New York press conference this morning, Zander introduced Linux-based "Rokr" and "Razr2" models, along with new top-level executives.
Zander opened the conference by introducing a new CFO, and new VPs of products and sales. He said the company is working to reset its strategy, prioritize its markets and technology investments, and "put the 'Wow' back" into its devices. Referring back to a March investor call at which Motorola announced a $1B shortfall in projected earnings, Zander said, "We talked about three things to look for from our new strategy. One was Linux/Java -- today you'll see some products. Another was 3G -- today you'll see some products. The third was multimedia and messaging, and we've got some wild stuff there, too."Motorola announced plans to adopt Linux more than four years ago, but has shipped Linux phones in volume only in Asia and Latin America, to date.

That should change in the weeks ahead, as the company's Linux-based MotoRokr Z6 (formerly known as the MotoRizr Z6) rolls out around world.And, it should really change in early summer, as the world's second-largest handset vendor begins releasing the second generation of its flagship Razr line of fashion phones. Some Razr2 models will be based on Linux/Java, Zander revealed. Zander also hinted that Motorola's now-mature Linux-based Ming (a1200) touchscreen phone, a big seller in Asia, stands ready for the U.S. market, should Apple's touchscreen-based iPhone disprove the conventional wisdom that Western language users prefer keyboards.

Razr2 (aka RAZR2) Zander said that Motorola will sell its 100 millionth Razr phone this month, and that the company plans to stick with the brand for a long time. "The Razr brought style to the phone, which is one of the most personal products," he said. Zander called the Razr2 the "biggest technology upgrade" in the brand's two-and-a-half year history. He said, "Our Linux/Java platform will be available on some versions of Razr2, taking us to our next generation."
Motorola Razr2 Gallery Zander touted Razr2 hardware upgrades for reduced thickness, and added strength and smarts. He confirmed that Razr2 phones will use "monolithic" processors based on ARM11 and clocked at 500MHz. Other touted hardware features include high-speed USB 2.0, a steel frame with cast aluminum hinge, and new assembly techniques producing a more seamless look. "We've lost the Rokr's double chin," he said.Other touted Razr2 features include:

• "Crystal-talk" adaptive technology adjusts volume based on ambient noise
• Talking phone features for use by the blind, in cars, etc
• Ability to send pre-set messages in response to incoming text messages, without flipping open
• "Best music experience" in feature/fashion phone segment
• Full web browser
• 2MP camera with multi-shot feature
• Personal videoconferencingMore about the Rokr2 can be found in an eWEEK story
• MotoRokr Z6 (formerly MotoRizr Z6)

Motorola MotoRokr Z6 Motorola announced the MotoRizr Z6 in January, touting it as the first Linux phone to support all of Microsoft's Windows Media technologies. Now known as the MotoRokr Z6, the phone officially launches today, with global roll-out expected over the next several weeks. The Z6 has a unique slider form factor aimed at clearly delineating modality. In other words, "Closed, it's an MP3 player. Open, it's a phone," Dale said. Dale also called the Z6 "Our first true Linux/Java product," presumably a reference to the device's monolithic processor architecture, on which a real-time enabled version of Linux may provide both control- and data-plane functionality; earlier Motorola phones used VRTX or other real-time OSes on separate baseband processors to handle signal processing and run the cellular modem. Other touted features include:
PC song sync at 3 sec/song -- three times faster than Sony Walkman phones
Song storage on removable 2GB SD/MMC cards
Simple music management using Windows Media Player
X9 stereo bluetooth headphones included in European packageLots more about the Z6 can be found in our earlier coverage, here. Non-Linux-based Motorola phones debuted at the event included:
A Windows Mobile 6-based Q9, a slim smartphone shipping now in Italy, and elsewhere in Europe this summer
A Symbian-based Z8, dubbed a "media monster" for its videographic prowess