Life of the Under Employed Left CH2M HILL last summer Joined Innovation Resource Center (IRC) Founded ZOC Corporation; Infrastructure Projects Enjoyed the Pacific NW
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER PROMOTING ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER About the Innovation Resource Center The Innovation Resource Center was established by the Northwest Economic Council as a major element of the economic growth strategy to develop an innovative business climate and identify entrepreneurs who will thrive in Whatcom County.
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Growing Our Economy
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER The Innovation Resource Center exists to Facilitate job creation through support of startup businesses Pursue opportunities to foster new businesses Nurture and support startup businesses by providing a path to effectively access services from education, government and service organizations Energize our economic environment with elements that would - Supplement support for entrepreneurs - Facilitate solutions to barriers of starting a business
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Total Annual Wages at Yr 5 = $81.6M
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER The initial industry focuses of the IRC Renewable Resource Technologies Active Aging
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Renewable Resources is an emerging growth industry with economic opportunity for Whatcom County. The IRC is developing a Renewable Resource Technologies Accelerator as a physical accelerator with a location for innovative startups. A business advisory group is in place for this accelerator. Educational opportunities are established at Western Washington University and Bellingham Technical College (BTC). Hybrid Power System, Alp
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Active Aging Population The IRC will assist in identifying and nurturing startup businesses with product and services in support of the active aging community. Working with Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College in assisting innovative entrepreneurs creating businesses in support of the active adult living communities. Startups in such areas as technology assistance, home management, health care applications will be part of a virtual accelerator for our area.
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Economic Impact of Innovation Resource Center New businesses with higher average wages Participation in economic sectors of the future Existing businesses growth potential Mutual benefit to higher education institution programs WWU, WCC, BTC, NWIC Partnership opportunities State, National and International
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER Benefits to our Business Community Energized, creative workforce Leading edge technologies Products/services that existing businesses can incorporate Options for workforce to stay in Whatcom County Higher education impact Stronger economy
INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTER You can get involved in the IRC by; Starting your own business Sponsoring or mentoring a new business Providing a business idea for others to develop
OTHER PROJECTS
Caribbean Cruise Ship Facility
Caribbean Marina Development Build Own Least Transfer (BOLT)
Alaska Power Project ~$2.5 Billion power project in Alaska, that will; Reduce Carbon Emissions by 1 million tons/year Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil Facilitate Development of Multi-billion $ gold mines Resolve Particular Emission Problems Economically Viable
Kyuquot Adventure 2010
Kyuquot Where??
Room with a view
BIG environmentally friendly fires
Lots of good food and a little tequila
Old totems
The only other inhabitant
Sea arches
Glassy calm waters and sunshine
Wise mariners analyzing the remote possibility of an approaching storm
Celebration that we all made it safety to shore
Our survival cave after we got a fire going
Debris in Zeballos harbor after the storm
Surviving Project Management 101
Lesson #1 The Team How many of us have lead failed projects? When you look back on those projects that negatively impacted your reputation, you often realize that you were not given a team capable of achieving success. As Project Managers we need to say no to the C team.
Team selection is a critical for Client representatives Pick the team, not the company. The typical cycle is; Client selects a competent & eager engineering or construction partner. Things go well so they are awarded extra work, The company expands, The talent gets diluted & they fail to meet expectations, They lose the contract. Company A then slows down, releases their worst performers, Company B hires the laid off employees and the cycle continues.
Lesson #2 - Have an Achievable Plan & follow it How many failed projects were doomed from day #1 because it was impossible to achieve the desired scope within the established budget, schedule, quality and safety standards? Project Managers need to be realistic about what can be achieved and vocal when others mandate miracles. As a PM s -Don t agree to a suicide mission As a Owner - don t believe a contractor that promises an unbelievable deal especially when the contractor has no skin in the game.
Lesson #3 Contingency Management Be a pessimist Most projects encounter problems that were never anticipated; an earthquake in Japan, a strike at the pipe mill, a distillation tower sliding off the road in a snow storm, piles falling off a barge, etc. Expect the unexpected.
On our kayak trip we tried to cover every risk item with a contingency plan, such as; Extra paddles One weeks surplus food Printed charts with compass headings Spare radios and batteries Fuel sausages First Aid supplies, repair kits You have to manage you contingency properly and we made the mistake of burning some excess gear on what we thought was the final day.
Lesson #4 Communications Most problems are a result of a break down in communications. How often do you leave a meeting only to wonder why there was a meeting? As PM s we need to plan, control and document the meetings. Personally take the minutes as that is a hugely powerful weapon.
I once attended a communication course where our assignment was to work in teams where we were had crashed on a deserted island and had to radio out for help. With very limited radio battery capacity we had to quickly and clearly communicate all the vital information. Little did I know, twenty years later, I would have an identical real life experience.
Lesson #5 Team Spirits Keep your sense of humor and remember it is really just another job. I once spent 16 hours a day for months restarting an idled oil refinery and three weeks after we finished, the company announced they were shutting it down. Look for opportunities to pass off the contractual negotiations and other disputes so you and your client can focus on getting the job down. People perform the best when they are having fun and as PM you need to diffuse tension, settle disputes quickly and high light the positives.
Summary Surviving Project Management requires a good team that communicates effectively while having fun working on a project with an achievable plan.