Episode 171: "How to get Strategy & Sustainability Right" with Martina Huemann

In this episode, we speak with Ben LaMorte, a leading expert in helping businesses define their most critical objectives and achieve measurable results. As the founder of OKRs.com in 2014, Ben has personally guided over 100 organizations, including industry giants like eBay, Adobe, and Capital One, in successfully implementing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Join us as Ben shares his journey into the world of OKRs and provides a clear definition of this powerful goal-setting framework. He elaborates on how OKRs help teams stay focused on their ultimate destination and offers practical examples tailored for project leaders. We'll also explore the fascinating science and human biology that underpin the effectiveness of OKRs and uncover the telltale signs that indicate a team could benefit from this approach. Ben also sheds light on common pitfalls leaders face when defining OKRs and shares invaluable lessons learned from real-world examples of projects that initially struggled with OKR implementation but ultimately found success. Tune in for actionable insights and expert guidance on leveraging OKRs to drive progress and achieve your most important goals. Contact Ben via his website. Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at corasystems.com/okrguide

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Carson, consultant, author, and researcher in Organizational Change Management. As CEO & President of Carson & Associates, Richard has spent his career advising public and private organizations on change management, strategic planning, and performance improvement. With deep expertise in driving transformation, Richard shares insights from his book The Book of Change and reveals the key factors that make or break organizational change. We’ll explore what change management really means, the biggest obstacles organizations face, and the essential ingredients for success. Richard also dives into lessons learned from his research, real-world examples of change initiatives—both successful and failed—and the most valuable career advice he's ever received. Contact Richard via his website Check out "The Book of Change" by Richard here Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Learn the keys to effective change management by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/changeguide

In this episode, we sit down with Martina Huemann, Professor of Project Leadership and Society at UCL and WU Vienna. With over 20 years of experience, Martina is a leading voice in empowering project leaders and advancing impactful scholarship. Martina connects academic insights with practical strategies, inspiring global leaders and organizations to achieve sustainable project success. Martina delves into the critical role of sustainability in project management. We'll explore how to translate corporate sustainability strategies into impactful projects, the key to selecting the right projects for a sustainable future, and the vital role of the PMO in supporting sustainable project delivery. Martina will also share valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls in strategy and sustainability, and offer invaluable career advice gleaned from years of experience.  Chapters: 00:00 - 04:19 Introduction to Martina  04:20 - 09:54 What is sustainability and why is it important? 10:33 - 13:41 Corporate sustainability strategy translated into projects  13:42 - 17:23 Key to selecting the right projects 17:24 - 20:30 Role of the PMO  20:31 - 22:57 Pitfalls to avoid when it comes to strategy and sustainability  22:58 - 24:12 What's the most impactful advice you've received for your career? 24:13 - 25:58 Where to find Martina online? Connect with Martina on LinkedIn Contact Martina via email [email protected] Pick up a copy of Martina's latest book, The Handbook of Project Management: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbook-Project-Management-Martina-Huemann/dp/103222763X   Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders.   Find out how grid modernization can facilitate decarbonizing of the energy sector by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/gridmodernization

This is a bonus episode of Project Management Paradise where we listened back through some of the key points from our interviews over 2024. Highlights include hand-picked insights into empathetic leadership, organizational change, time management skills and how to deal with a narcissist in the workplace. Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. We’d love to hear your guest suggestions! Feel free to email us at [email protected] Bonus Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at corasystems.com/okrguide

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Hartman, founder of Time Boss. With over 20 years of experience in marketing tech and software startups, Andrew has perfected the balance between productivity and mental well-being. Andrew debunks the myth of "hustle culture" and shares his own experience of juggling 12 projects simultaneously, which led to the alarming loss of his sense of smell. Learn how to prioritize tasks, avoid burnout, and implement simple habits to boost productivity. Uncover surprising insights into the psychology of time and learn valuable career advice from a seasoned expert. Take control of your time and achieve more, without sacrificing your health and well-being. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at corasystems.com/okrguide

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Minney, a seasoned expert with over 20 years in the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) and business software industries. Richard is the founder of Twenty5, a company that delivers specialized SAP software solutions tailored for large manufacturers and government contractors. With a strong focus on program management, costing, and pricing, Twenty5 effectively addresses critical gaps within SAP’s ERP suite. Richard shares his journey from a career in business software to founding his own company, driven by a passion for helping organizations manage complex project pricing and estimation. Tune in as Richard dives into the fundamentals of project pricing and estimation, shedding light on the differences between these two concepts and the keys to getting them right. He shares common pitfalls that organizations face, insights into why projects often exceed budgets, and what might surprise listeners about project estimation. Richard also explains how Twenty5’s innovative solutions empower businesses to overcome these challenges and offers invaluable advice from his own career. Don’t miss this episode for expert insights on mastering project pricing and achieving cost efficiency in large-scale projects! Connect with Richard on LinkedIn Learn more about Twenty5 here Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Find out what you can learn from megaprojects by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/megaguide

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Wilson, a seasoned expert in scheduling and project management within the aerospace and defense industry. With extensive experience at leading companies like Northrop Grumman and Honeywell, Jessica specializes in Department of Defense contracts, earned value management, and integrated master schedules. Over the course of her career, she’s tackled complex scheduling issues, compliance demands, and reporting challenges in the aerospace and defense space. Jessica shares how she got started in the industry and offers her perspective on how technology is transforming scheduling and earned value management. She also discusses why IPMDAR is such a hot topic and how tools and processes have changed over the past decade. Tune in to hear valuable lessons she’s learned and gain insights into overcoming the unique challenges faced in this highly regulated and demanding industry. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Learn how software can combat 8 headaches keeping PMOs in the aerospace & defense sector awake at night by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/defensesoft

In this episode, we sit down with Carol Cone, a trailblazer in the purpose movement with over 35 years of experience. Carol currently leads Carol Cone ON PURPOSE (CCOP), dedicated to advancing purpose strategies for corporations, brands, nonprofits, and professionals worldwide. She shares insights from her journey, starting with the founding of Cone Inc., the first and largest social impact agency, through her leadership roles at Omnicom and Edelman, to establishing CCOP and the Purpose Collaborative, a global network of purpose-driven firms. Carol discusses how she became an expert in corporate culture and leadership, emphasizing the importance of a company’s purpose and how to approach it effectively. Join us as Carol reveals the secrets of good corporate leadership, traits to be wary of in leaders, and how transparency afforded by the internet has transformed the work environment. She also explains the importance of viewing suppliers as partners and shares the most valuable piece of advice she has received in her career, offering listeners actionable insights to apply in their own professional journeys. Connect with Carol on LinkedIn Listen to the Purpose 360 podcast  Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Learn the keys to effective change management by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/changeguide  

In this episode, we explore the fascinating career of Steve Kershaw, the Global Government Defense Leader for PwC. Steve shares his unique journey from serving as a submariner in the Royal Navy for 21 years to leading global defence strategies at PwC. He provides captivating insights into life in a submarine, including how submariners maintain physical fitness and the critical importance of controlling noise. These experiences have significantly influenced his meticulous approach to program management in the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector. Steve discusses the substantial changes in programme management over the past 15-20 years, emphasizing the impact of digitization. He addresses the challenges of digitizing program development and the strategies to overcome them, highlighting the importance of ROI in transformation programs and how benefits are measured. Steve also explains the tangible advantages PwC has gained through using Cora’s platform for program management. Looking ahead, he predicts significant technological advancements and transformative changes in the A&D sector. Additionally, Steve reflects on the most valuable career advice he has received, offering practical wisdom that has guided his professional journey. This episode is packed with expert insights and thought-provoking reflections on the past, present, and future of program management and digitization in the defense sector. Connect with Steve Kershaw on LinkedIn Thanks for listening to the Project Management Paradise Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast on your favorite platform. Stay tuned for more episodes where we bring you the latest insights from industry leaders. Bonus Learn how software can combat 8 headaches keeping PMOs in the aerospace & defense sector awake at night by accessing a complimentary copy at corasystems.com/defensesoft 

Today, we are thrilled to have Rebecca Zung, a renowned conflict resolution specialist and bestselling author, as our guest. Rebecca has written extensively on corporate and social themes, including her latest USA Today bestseller, "SLAY the Bully: How to Negotiate with a Narcissist and Win." In this episode, we dive into "How to Outsmart a Narcissist in a High-Conflict Situation." Join us as Rebecca shares her journey to becoming an expert in conflict resolution. She defines what a narcissist is and reveals the keys to negotiating effectively with them. Learn how to handle narcissists who don’t respond to logic and discover practical strategies to prevent and minimize bullying in the workplace. Rebecca also discusses the most important piece of advice she has received in her career and how it has shaped her approach to conflict resolution. Whether you're managing complex projects or navigating personal relationships, Rebecca’s insights will equip you with the tools to succeed. Tune in to Project Management Paradise and gain valuable knowledge from Rebecca Zung on outsmarting narcissists and mastering high-conflict negotiations. Follow Rebecca on: YouTube  Instagram  Rebecca's new book "SLAY the Bully: How to Negotiate with a Narcissist and Win" can be found here   BONUS! Access a complimentary guidebook, Empowering Strategy Realization Using OKRs, at https://corasystems.com/guidebooks/free-okr-guide-empowering-strategy-realization-using-okrs/