Project Procurement Mastery: From Bottleneck to Strategic Advantage with Ajay Bhargove

Think procurement is just about getting the best price? Think again.In this episode of The Everyday PM Podcast, we sit down with Ajay Bhargove, author of "Project Procurement: A real-world guide to procurement skills," to uncover why procurement is one of the most critical—yet misunderstood—aspects of project management.In this conversation, you'll discover:Why procurement is a strategic function, not just a purchasing taskThe most common (and costly) procurement mistakes PMs makeHow to build vendor relationships that actually protect your projectThe role of AI and technology in modern procurement decisions3 actionable steps to improve your procurement processes starting tomorrowWhether you're struggling with vendor relationships, navigating global supply chains, or trying to optimize procurement in agile environments, Ajay shares practical frameworks and real-world insights that you can implement immediately.Perfect for: Project managers at all levels, procurement professionals, and anyone involved in vendor management and contract negotiations.📚 Project Procurement: A real-world guide to procurement skills🎙️ The Everyday PM Podcast - Project Management Principles for your everyday life.

Join us for a conversation with Lata Hamilton, a change management powerhouse who's revolutionized transformations impacting over 100,000 people. As the founder of Passion Pioneers and author of "Pioneer Your Career Change", Lata brings a unique blend of organizational change management and Neuro-Linguistic Programming to help project leaders succeed where traditional approaches fall short.🔥 What You'll Discover:• The Heart-Mind Connection: How to use NLP techniques to move beyond compliance and create genuine commitment in your project teams• Practical NLP Tools: Specific techniques you can apply immediately to resistant stakeholders and disengaged team members• Early Warning Systems: How to identify when your project is losing hearts and minds before it's too late• The 3-Step Implementation Plan: Tactical actions you can take this week to transform your project leadership approach💡 Perfect For: Project managers, change leaders, team leads, and anyone responsible for driving organizational transformation who wants to move beyond traditional "push" methods to create lasting, enthusiastic adoption.🚀 Key Takeaways: Learn the difference between managing projects and leading change, discover why engagement metrics matter more than you think, and walk away with immediately actionable strategies for building trust and commitment with stakeholders you've never worked with before.📚 Resources Mentioned:• Lata's websites: latahamilton.com & passionpioneers.com.au• Book: "Pioneer Your Career Change"• Connect on LinkedIn: /in/latahamilton

Join us as we talk with Richard Maltzman, Master Lecturer at Boston University and co-author of "AI-Powered Leadership." With 55 years of workforce experience as both a practicing engineer and PMO leader, Richard shares practical insights on integrating AI into project management while maintaining essential "Power Skills." Discover how to ethically implement AI tools, transform team weaknesses into strengths, and bridge the gap between theoretical AI capabilities and practical implementation. Whether you're AI-curious or AI-cautious, this episode offers actionable strategies for the modern project manager looking to enhance their leadership toolkit.Connect with Rich on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/exclaim/Buy the Book!#ProjectManagement #AI #Leadership #PowerSkills #Sustainability #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #PMI #AIEthics #GreenProjectManagement

In this insightful episode, we explore the powerful connection between volunteering and leadership development with Yasmina Khelifi, author of "The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership."Yasmina shares her personal journey of how volunteering shaped her approach to project management throughout her 20-year career in the telecom industry. As a French telecom engineer with three PMI certifications, she offers unique perspectives on using volunteer work as a safe space for professional experimentation.How volunteering creates a low-risk environment to test new project management techniquesStrategic approaches to building meaningful professional connections through volunteer workA practical walkthrough of "My Volunteering Canvas" - a tool designed to help project managers maximize their volunteering experienceTransferring skills and insights from volunteer roles to professional settingsYasmina Khelifi is the founder and host of "Global Leaders Talk with Yasmina Khelifi," a volunteer blogger on projectmanagement.com, and an international correspondent at PMWorld Journal. She is also the author of "How To Become a Culturally-Aware Project Manager" and contributes to Harvard Business Review Early Career. With an MSc in Mobile Telecommunications and fluency in six languages, Yasmina brings a truly global perspective to leadership development.Connect with Yasmina on LinkedIn and discover more about her work at yasminakhelifi.com.Ready to transform your leadership skills through volunteering? Order "The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership" today at https://volunteer2leader.my.canva.site/#volunteer2leader

Join us as we explore the versatile career of Ben Chan, a project management expert who has mastered the art of adaptability across multiple industries. From his beginnings as a developer with a Computer Engineering background, Ben shares how he became a "generalist PM" capable of thriving in diverse sectors including Financial Services, Technology, Government, and more.In this conversation, Ben reveals his insights on bridging the critical gap between organizational strategy and execution—a persistent challenge he's observed throughout his career. Discover how he evolved from consultant to coach, and learn his philosophy that successful project delivery extends beyond time and budget to encompass business value and human empowerment.Featured Guest: Ben Chan (B.Sc, P.Eng, PMP, CMC, ASM) specializes in helping organizations solve their execution problems by connecting strategic objectives to tangible results, while empowering teams to exceed expectations.Clymb Consulting: https://www.clymbconsulting.ca/home

Join us for an insightful conversation with Cornelius Fichtner, renowned project management expert, author, and host of the acclaimed Project Management Podcast. With over 500 episodes under his belt and a passion for making project management theory engaging and accessible, Cornelius shares his wisdom on how project managers can thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.In this episode, we discuss:Why AI literacy, not tool mastery, is the ultimate competitive edge for project managers today.How to identify tasks that are ripe for AI augmentation versus those better handled by humans.The "Adapt, Adopt, Adept" mantra and how you can start applying it immediately to grow as a PM.The soft skills that will become even more valuable as AI automation evolves—and why.A single, actionable takeaway to help you take the first step toward mastering AI literacy this week.About Our Guest: Cornelius Fichtner is a pioneer in project management education, best known for his innovative PMP Exam Simulator and his ability to bring project management theory to life. His enthusiasm and expertise have inspired countless students to achieve their PMP certification.Where to Find Cornelius Online:Website: www.pm-prepcast.comPodcast: www.pm-podcast.com/youtubeTune in to learn how to future-proof your project management career by mastering AI literacy! 🚀Listen now and subscribe for more episodes like this!

Join us for a riveting conversation with seasoned PM and author, Donna Gregorio, as she unpacks one of America's most notorious megaprojects—Boston's infamous Big Dig. What began as a visionary transportation solution ballooned into a case study of project management gone wrong, with costs exploding from $2.8 billion to a staggering $22 billion.In this episode of The Everyday PM Podcast, Donna reveals:The critical communication breakdowns that derailed the Big Dig's timeline and budgetHow implementing clear Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) could have kept this massive project on trackPractical problem-framing techniques that bridge the gap between technical experts and project stakeholdersEssential communication strategies that today's project managers can apply to their complex initiativesWhether you're managing a high-profile infrastructure project or a small team initiative, Donna's insights will transform how you approach stakeholder communication and problem-solving. Don't miss this masterclass in turning project communication pitfalls into pathways for success!Continue the conversation with Donna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-gregorio/

Join us as we sit down with Bruno, a seasoned PMO expert with over two decades of experience in Fortune 500 companies, who's now embarking on an exciting entrepreneurial journey. In this candid conversation, Bruno shares his transition from corporate leadership to founding his own strategic consulting firm. With a rich background in managing complex project portfolios and driving organizational success, Bruno opens up about: • The pivotal moment that inspired his leap from corporate security to entrepreneurship • Real challenges and valuable lessons learned during his business launch • Strategic insights on building a consulting practice from scratch • Practical tips for balancing multiple professional roles - from consulting to coaching • Essential advice for professionals considering their own entrepreneurial path Whether you're a project management professional dreaming of independence, or a corporate leader contemplating your next move, Bruno's story offers actionable insights and honest perspectives on navigating this life-changing transition. This episode is perfect for: • PMO professionals seeking career growth • Corporate executives considering entrepreneurship • Project managers looking to expand their impact • Anyone interested in strategic consulting and coaching Discover how decades of corporate experience can transform into a thriving independent venture, and learn the key strategies for making your own successful transition. You can find more about Bruno on his website brunomorgante.com and on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/brunomorgante

Welcome to The Everyday PM podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Kory Kogon, FranklinCovey’s vice president of Content and Senior Consultant, and co-author of Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager. Kory will share her expertise in project management and shed light on the concept of "unofficial project managers" and its significance in today's workplace. We'll delve into some common pitfalls that unofficial project managers often encounter in their roles and explore strategies for navigating the challenges of integrating Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Kory will also provide valuable insights on empowering unofficial project managers to be more effective in their roles and discuss how organizations can support and develop their capabilities within their teams. Don't forget to check out "Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager" for further guidance on effective project management strategies. Stay tuned for an enlightening discussion!

In this episode, Evan Unger dives into the intricacies of effective team leadership, decision-making, and enhancing productivity in remote virtual meetings. With his extensive experience at Schwartz and Associates, Evan sheds light on the essential services that have helped countless organizations thrive in today’s dynamic work environments. What to Expect Team Leadership: Discover how Evan approaches team leadership with a collaborative mindset. He shares strategies for fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best work. Decision-Making: Learn about the decision-making frameworks that Evan employs to navigate complex challenges. His insights will help you make informed, timely decisions that align with your organization's goals and values. Remote Virtual Meeting Productivity: In an era where remote work is becoming the norm, Evan discusses practical tips for maximizing productivity in virtual meetings. From setting clear agendas to leveraging technology effectively, he provides actionable advice to keep your team connected and productive, no matter where they are. Why You Should Listen This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive their team's success in a rapidly changing work landscape. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just starting your leadership journey, Evan's expertise offers valuable takeaways that you can implement immediately. Tune In Don't miss out on this insightful conversation with Evan Unger. Tune in to The Everyday PM podcast on your favorite streaming platform. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with your network to spread the knowledge! Join us as we explore the art of collaborative leadership and unlock the potential of your team. We look forward to having you with us on this exciting episode!