Western Management Consultants: The WMC Blog

Change Management Case Study: The Waterfront Campus Project

Filed Under : Blog Post,Change Management by Michael Schiel

May.18,2012

Guest Article written by Dr. Kathy Cowan Sahadath and Lorie Shekter-Wolfson

Positioning for the Future

In the summer of 2012, George Brown College (GBC) will undertake a two-pronged, groundbreaking change: it will relocate about 230 full-time academic faculty and staff and 3500 full-time students to a 320,000 square-foot facility – the George Brown College Waterfront Health Sciences Campus in the East Bayfront area of Toronto – and it will incorporate Inter-professional Education (IPE) into its Health Sciences programs. Read More…

Why Are Some Conversations or Decision Making Processes Great While Others Miss The Mark?

Filed Under : Change Management,Coaching,Communications,General Management,Leadership Development,Organizational Development by Michael Schiel

May.17,2012

By Georgina Veldhorst

What contributes to a great creative conversation? To decision making that feels like it is going to work? Conversely, what contributes to conversations that feel forced, like a lot was left unsaid? To decisions that feel like they are going to be sabotaged? Read More…

Effective Talent Management: Comprehensive Survey and Report

Filed Under : Blog Post,General Management,Human Resource Management,Leadership Development,Organizational Development by Michael Schiel

By: George Toner and Graham Herbert

This is the 3^rd and final installment of a comprehensive survey and report by WMC that highlights the risks of small to medium sized organizations in the recruitment, assessment and retention of staff. (For the first two installments, see Effective Talent Management and Best Practices in Talent Management) We promised in the last installment to share with you the recommendations coming out of that report. Read More…

Networking Tips

Filed Under : Coaching,Networking,Tips by Bree Cameron

Apr.26,2012

Networking is a key opportunity to meet new people in your field as well as spread the word about your company.

Attending a function or seminar and talking to complete strangers can be intimidating though, especially when trying to approach people about a product or service your company offers.

No longer is networking only for those who ooze confidence and have the gift of the gab! With a few simple tips and strategies, you too can develop your network. Read More…

Presentation at PMISAC on Thursday, April 26th at Calgary Chamber of Commerce

Filed Under : Change Management,Coaching,Cool stuff,Executive Search,General Management,Introductions,Strategic Management & Planning by Bree Cameron

Apr.10,2012

MOVING THE TIPPING POINT IN CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Presentation at PMISAC on Thursday, April 26th at Calgary Chamber of Commerce

by Gord Hanna

At the Tipping Point, the push by the project team to get a change in place becomes a pull from the business and the stakeholders involved. In the majority of projects even though the project is closed and success is declared, the tipping point is not reached as the engagement / commitment is not achieved and sustainment is a major concern. How do we understand the Tipping Point and how do we apply change management to move it within the scope of the project. At this supper presentation, we will explore 7 levers that can be applied at a strategic level to assess the Tipping Point and simulations that will assist in moving the Tipping Point earlier. The synergy of Project Managers and Change Management Advisors is essential to achieve the Tipping Point.

Best Practices for Effective Talent Management in Small to Medium sized Enterprises

Filed Under : Blog Post by Michael Schiel

Mar.26,2012

By George Toner and Graham Herbert

In December 2011 we shared outcomes of a comprehensive survey by WMC that highlights the risks of small and medium sized organizations in the recruitment, assessment and retention of talent. This article highlights some practices in these areas that are used by 3 participants in the survey. Read More…

Why Projects Fail

Filed Under : Blog Post by Michael Schiel

As a manager of all types of projects for public and private sector clients, I have long been keenly interested in why projects continue to fail on such a large scale. Read More…

WMC Custom Builds Teams

Filed Under : Blog Post,Business Process Improvement,Coaching,Communications,Executive Search,Leadership Development,Marketing Strategy & Planning,Oil & Gas,Project & Program Management by Bree Cameron

Feb.28,2012

Check out the Calgary Herald article featuring Western Management Consultants!

The Benefits of Virtual Project Management

Filed Under : Blog Post by Michael Schiel

Jan.24,2012

Early in my career, I once asked a senior certified project manager why he stayed in his office so much pouring over project plans and other documents. He replied that he didn’t have the time to talk to his staff about the project because he was too busy managing it.

That project did not end up being delivered on time.

I learned a valuable lesson then and there that a good manager talks to their clients, staff and stakeholders. No piece of paper can replace face-to-face conversations.

But what do you do then if your client, colleagues or staff are spread across the province? Or work in another province? What if you have to manage a project across many offices scattered across a wide geography? Read More…

The WMC Blog