News

Action for Results Sponsors “Delivering Value Through Projects” Conference

Action for Results, Inc. (AfR) is delighted to be sponsoring an exciting regional educational event being offered by the non-profit group, BioPharmaPM (BPPM), a volunteer-based, global network of local communities that are dedicated to sharing of project management best practices within the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical device industries.

BPPM is kicking off their series of regional education events with “Delivering Value Through Projects” on September 21, 2010 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, MA.  This highly interactive conference will be focused on sharing learnings and best practices for program and project success in the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotech industries. Conference speakers will include project managers, project management vice presidents, program managers, portfolio leaders and other industry experts.

AfR CEO, Tarja Mottram, will be providing her extensive skills as a facilitator for the conference, as well as for an afternoon workshop. Ms. Mottram’s expertise on market-driven strategic management, portfolio and pipeline governance, and program/project management, along with her dynamic style, make her a sought after speaker in conferences and practitioner forums worldwide.

Register Here

As part of our sponsorship, AfR is providing registration services to BPPM for this event. Find out more about the conference and registration here.

Find out why project management is one of the top capabilities for competitive advantage in Life Science companies, how it’s defined differently from other industries, and how it will evolve as a result of the industry trends.

CEO Tarja Mottram Speaks on Project Conflict, April 8, Andover, MA

Life Science Project Management Experts Share Advice on Resolving Project Conflicts

ACTION FOR RESULTS, INC. AND BIOPHARMAPM HOST APRIL EVENT AT ANDOVER, MA LOCATION

Andover, MA – March 24, 2010 – Life science and medical device companies looking to kick-start stalled projects and get derailed project teams back on track can tap into a wealth of knowledge when industry experts discuss “From Conflict to Collaboration: How to Handle Difficult Project Relationships.”  CEO Tarja Mottram from Action for Results (an international consulting firm to pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies) will make the presentation to the Boston chapter of BioPharmaPM (a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the sharing of project management best practices in the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical devices industries) at their April 8, 2010 meeting. 

Hosted by Action for Results at their 200 Andover Street, Andover, Massachusetts office location, the meeting is open to the public as well as local and regional industry professionals. The 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM event begins with a complimentary breakfast and then the formal presentation from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Interested parties may register online at www.biopharmapm.org (calendar/breakfast meetings) or via telephone 978-824-0400, extension 104.

According to AfR Marketing Director and BioPharmaPM chapter member Janice Laskey, “Unsettling economic times can cause strife within an organization and its key project teams. Even in the best scenarios, leading a successful, cross-organizational product development process is not an easy thing to do. Our April meeting offers a great opportunity for attendees to explore conflict in a safe environment. More importantly it’s about learning how to make conflict work for you rather than against you—creating the best outcomes for your product development process and your organization.

“In her presentation, Tarja will draw upon mini-case studies and encourage dialogue in order to explore real choices in the face of conflict. In fact, I encourage attendees to bring their most challenging conflict situations for discussion. It’s an invaluable opportunity to gain insight from the knowledge and experience of Action for Results, BioPharmaPM and your peers. With this sort of subject matter and the caliber of professionals in attendance, I expect a really engaging and productive session,” concluded Laskey.

Tarja Mottram is a sought after speaker on portfolio and stage-gate management, customer-focused product and service development, and project effectiveness. She’s worked with clients across the globe, helping to connect their portfolio strategy and execution in order to enhance product development decision making and productivity.

About BioPharmaPM

BioPharmaPM is a global network of local communities that are dedicated to sharing of project management best practices within the pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO and medical device industries. The organization was founded in 2008 to provide learning, growth and networking opportunities for project managers within the healthcare industries. BioPharmaPM is an independent, 100 percent volunteer based organization with a membership of over 6,000 professionals from countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States. For more information on BioPharmaPM, visit the organization’s website at biopharmapm.org

About Action for Results

Founded in 1994, Action for Results, Inc. (AfR) is an international consulting company serving organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other healthcare industries. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, AfR works with their clients to connect their strategy and execution to produce innovative products and services that respond to the needs of patients and customers worldwide. Their specialties include strategy definition, organizational capability building, product development process optimization and governance, and portfolio and project management.

Free Change Request Form

Change in projects is inevitable, so be sure to have standardized documents such as this free Change Request Form ready when you need them.

Free Negotiation Worksheet

A successful negotiation not only means getting what you want and need as a project manager, team member or stakeholder, it also means coming to an agreement that works for the other party as well. Before embarking on a negotiation session, use this worksheet to help you formulate what you must gain from the process, what you can live without, and what’s important to the other party.

Negotiation Strategy Worksheet

mScholar Extends Free Enrollment to Unemployed Project Managers

July PMP Certification Prep Course Offered; Features Updated Curriculum

30% Early Registration Discount Extended to July 17th! See mScholar Events for Details.

Andover, MA – June 18, 2009 – mScholar®, a leader in project management learning solutions, is offering five free seats in its July Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam Prep course on a first-come basis to unemployed project managers to help them gain PMP Certification, useful skills and greater marketability.  mScholar designed its five-day study retreat to fully prepare attendees for PMP Certification based on the Project Management Institute’s (PMI®) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®)—a project management guide that is internationally recognized as the industry standard.  mScholar’s course utilizes PMBOK’s newest edition and incorporates the most up-to-date industry information along with related team and individual exercises, practice exams and online software.  Unemployed project managers interested in participating must show proof of unemployment, meet PMI eligibility requirements and dedicate themselves to a program of serious study.  mScholar will conduct the course July 27 – 31, 2009 at its Andover, MA Training Center. Project managers can contact mScholar Customer Relations Manager Erkki Goodwin at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to enroll, or for more information.

According to mScholar Marketing Director Janice Laskey, “We’re excited about our newly updated mScholar PMP Exam Prep curriculum. Project management professionals preparing for certification will find the coursework challenging, the information comprehensive and our course guarantee an assurance that this is a risk-free way to prepare for PMP certification. We even have a significant discount in place for those who enroll by the 30th of June.”

“Additionally, we’re offering five free seats in our July retreat for project managers who are currently unemployed and want to get their PMP certification to better position themselves within today’s challenging job market. PMP certification is an important credential now required my many employers, especially for IT, product development and life sciences project management positions,” concluded Laskey.

The mScholar® PMP Exam Prep Study Retreat is an intensive, five-day course lead by a PMP certified instructor. The course includes a thorough review of essential project management material interspersed with team and individual exercises, written practice exams, home assignments, online exam software, Q&A sessions and a final exam that provides a true assessment of PMP Exam readiness. Finally, upon successful completion of the course, students will receive 35 contact hours or professional development units (PDUs), which can be used towards satisfying the Project Management Institute’s contact hour training requirement for certification eligibility.

The course will be held on July 27 – 31, 2009 at mScholar’s Training Center located at 200 Andover Street, Andover, MA. To enroll, qualify for the free enrollment offer, take advantage of early bird specials or for further information visit http://www.mscholar.com or call mScholar at (978) 824-0400, extension 107.

About mScholar
mScholar, a division of Action for Results, Inc., is a leading developer and provider of pragmatic project management education and certification programs, including structured self-paced courses, classroom programs, and customized curricula designed to build individual and organizational project capability. Action for Results, Inc. is a Project Management Institute Global Registered Education Provider. For more information on mScholar project management learning solutions and services, visit http://www.mscholar.com.

PMI,  PMP and PMBOK are registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. mScholar is a trademark of Action For Results, Inc.

CEO Tarja Mottram Presents at Project Management Conference for the Drug & Device Industry

AfR CEO Shares Insights on Identifying Profitable Drugs & Medical Devices for Development in an Economic Downturn

Andover, MA – April 10 , 2009 – Pharmaceutical and medical device companies looking to develop innovative, viable products amidst a challenging economic climate will receive pragmatic guidance from CEO Tarja Mottram at this year’s Project Management Conference for the Drug & Device Industry (April 28-30, 2009 at Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL). Mottram, president and CEO of Action for Results (AfR)—an international consulting firm to pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies—will share timely, strategic information in a presentation entitled, “Building the Business Case for Your Development Project.”

According to AfR Marketing Director Janice Laskey, “There’s a constant demand for innovative drugs and medical devices, but a solid business case is critical to profitability—especially during an economic downturn. The business case is truly the foundation for defining whether or not an organization should invest in a product development effort.

“Conference attendees will find that Tarja’s hands-on presentation helps them define just what should be in their business case. It also addresses crucial timing issues and the collaboration required in order to effectively apply it to a development project. The presentation draws on years of proven policy that Tarja has put in to practice for many organizations. She looks forward to working with the professionals in attendance at this year’s PMDD event,” concluded Laskey.

Ms. Mottram is a sought after speaker on portfolio and stage gate management, customer-focused product and service development, and project effectiveness. She’s worked with clients across the globe, helping to connect their portfolio strategy and execution in order to enhance product development decision making and productivity.
About Action for Results

Founded in 1994, Action for Results, Inc. (AfR) is an international consulting company serving organizations in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and other healthcare industries. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, AfR works with their clients to connect their strategy and execution to produce innovative products and services that respond to the needs of patients and customers worldwide. Their specialties include strategy definition, organizational capability building, product development process optimization and governance, and portfolio and project management.

For more information on the conference, visit www.biopharmapm.org.

Webinar Now Available for Download: Introduction to Project Management Certifications

Are you thinking about getting a project management certification but aren’t sure where to start or what your options are? On March 12, 2009, we hosted a webinar that discusses why certification matters, what is required to qualify for it, and what your options are for certification and for study programs.

PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification is the most well-known project management credential available, but there are a number of other certifications that have similar goals. In this 1-hour webinar, we’ll explore the PMP Certification as well as the scope and sources of other popular certifications. Participants will also learn about project management industry trends and resulting demand for certified project managers.

To download this webinar, visit our Resources section.

Action for Results is a PMI Registered Education Provider. mScholar is a division of Action for Results, Inc.

Webinar Now Available for Download: What’s New with the PMBOK Guide?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has released the latest version of their Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. In June 2009, the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam will be updated to reflect the transition to the new PMBOK® Guide, Fourth Edition. What does this mean for project managers and team members, current PMPs and future PMP candidates? On February 12th, we hosted a free webinar “What’s New with the PMBOK® Guide and PMP® Certification?” and a recording is now available in our Resources section. 

This webinar provides:

• General overview of the PMBOK® Guide: What it is (and isn’t), how it’s used, and how it applies to project management certification.
• High-level overview and examples of changes reflected in the PMBOK Guide, Fourth Edition
• Tips for individuals heading for PMP Certification in 2009, including which version to study

Note: PMPs who download and view the recording are eligible to receive 1 PDU.

Action for Results is a PMI Registered Education Provider. mScholar is a division of Action for Results, Inc.

New Aligning Strategy with Execution Article

Traditional strategic planning and functional capability building efforts often fail to recognize the critical interplay between strategy and execution and the need to connect the cross-functional dimensions of the organization to create sustainable performance. Introduced in this article are 10 key factors to remember in creating aligned and focused execution. The magic is not in any one factor, but rather in how they are connected to each other through daily practices.

Visit the “Resources” section and download the complete article.