PMLL Episode 0045 How to Start and Lead a Local or Online PMP Study Group

Notes from another Free PMlessonLearned.com Conference Call:

Topic: How to Start and Lead a Local or Online PMP Study Group
Subgroup: PMP Exam Study sub-group
PM Lessons Learned Leader: Henry Will, PMP
PMP Exam Study Group Host: David Radkovich, PMP
Date: 07Aug2008
Podcast number: 0042
MP3 / Podcast: Download MP3 or Listen on Internet Archive or Listen on OurMedia or Join our podcast on itunes

If you're studying for the PMP Exam, you may want to listen to the MP3s of past PMP Exam Study Group conference calls. They're located in our Archive (see the link on our website).

Notes from the call:
On this call Host David Radkovick, PMP, EVM, Presents from his experience on how to start and maintain a local or online PMP Exam study group. David has run a local group for about 2 years now.

Please join us for a future conference call (they're all free and open to all). We currently have several calls a month. See our calendar of future calls via the link on our website.

If you're looking for a PM job, we invite you to join our FREE PM JOB SHOP conference calls.
Join the Yahoo Group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pmjobshop

We highly recommend that you join the free PM Lessons Learned Yahoo group in order to get announcements of our calls and other information to further your PM career.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pmLessonsLearned

Join our Yahoo group for details, reminders of the calls, and information to help you in your PM Career. Visit the website for details.

PMLessonsLearned.com - Project Managers helping Project Managers. Open to all.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s) About PMlessonsLearned.com:

Q: What is this group about? How was it formed? Who pays for this? How much does it cost?
A: see our "About Us" Link on the left side of the website

Q: How can I become a member? How much does it cost?
A: Membership is Free. If you want to be recognized as a member, join our free Yahoo Group.

Q: What are the benefits of being a member
A: See our What's In It For Me (WIIFM) page

Q: Can I leave the group at any time (for example: when I obtain my PMP)?
A: Yes, you can join and leave the Yahoo group at any time you desire and as many times as you like. However, we encourage you to stay involved for two reasons: 1) You need to obtain PDUs to re-certify as a PMP, 2) To contribute back to the group as give-back to help other Project Managers

Q: How can I ask questions if I listen via the recording (phone, MP3, or Podcast)
A: We encourage participation! If you're going to be listening via recording, please look at the schedule in advance of the calls and contact us (via the contact us link on the website). You can also participate by adding your comments after the call.

Q: How interactive are the calls?
A: The amount of interaction really depends on the presenter: some really encourage participation (by asking specific questions to engage the audience - early and often) and other presenters do not encourage interaction. We like to hear lots of interaction so that people get more practical advice and ideas by hearing people like themselves ask questions. We would also like our podcast listeners to email their questions and comments prior to the call (via our "Contact Us" link or by replying to our Yahoo Group emails)

Q: What is the Agenda for the calls?
A: We encourage interaction on our calls, this is your chance to get your questions answered. Our Agenda is:
1. Intro and announcements (9pm)
2. Presentation
3. Q&A on topic
4. Q&A on any PM topic
5. Closing Remarks and reminders
6. Stop the recording (around 10pm)
7. Networking / Q&A for anyone who wants to remain on the line

Q: The itunes store has the recent free PMlessonsLearned.com episodes, but doesn't have all of them. How can I add them to my ipod?
A: 1. Download the desired episodes from the "Archives" link on the left side of pmlessonslearned.com (pay close attention to WHERE you put them on your computer)
2. Launch itunes (start the itunes program)
3. In the itunes menu at the top, select "File" then select "Add file to Library" - (note: if you put a bunch of files in one directory, you can use "Add folder to library")
4. Select the file you downloaded (or the folder if you're using "Add folder to library")
5. You should now find them in itunes
6. Sync your ipod

Q: How would you classify your audience?
A: The audience is a globally diversified set of project managers that are at all different levels of development and experience.

Global in the sense we have people around the world listening to the podcasts (hundreds of people per podcast)
Diversified in that they come from all different cultures, backgrounds, experience, and levels of PM experience.
Different levels of development and experience because some are new and learning, some are certified PMPs, and some are fully experienced.
They are from all different companies; some are unemployed and some are in roles other than project management.

The size of the conference call audience varies but is usually about a dozen people that usually call in from the United States and most are concentrated on the east coast.

Free Confcall 9/18/08 "Virtual Parties – Effective Ways to Recognize Virtual Teams"

Since this call is now over, the recording is now available to listen to by phone. As with all our calls, the recording of the last conference call is always available at (641) 715-3441 Access Code: 767 616# - The MP3 and Podcast should be available soon and will be posted on this website.


What: FREE PM Lessons Learned PM Best Practice conference call
Topic: "Virtual Parties – Effective Ways to Recognize Virtual Teams"
Who: Elyse Anchell, Certified Executive Project Manager, Integrated Infrastructure Workstream Leader, IBM Center for Learning and Development
When: Thursday Sep. 18, 2008 at 9pm Eastern Daylight Savings time
Where: Conference Dial-in: (269) 320-8300 Access Code: 767 616#



"Virtual Parties – Effective Ways to Recognize Virtual Teams"


The presentation is available on the PMlessonsLearned.com yahoo group site (see link on the PMlessonsLearned.com website on the left for the yahoo group: join the group, login to yahoo, then use the same link on PMlessonsLearned.com to go to our yahoo group, click on the files link on the left, then go to the "Materials for conference calls" folder)


In this session, we will cover:

• Ways to reward a virtual team
• A game that can be played with a virtual team

Conference Dial-in: (269) 320-8300 Access Code: 767 616#

Conference call participation is free and questions are encouraged. Long distance charges may apply depending on your carrier - some cell phone companies allow free long distance after certain times in evenings.

PMlessonsLearned.com is all about Project Managers helping Project Managers and open to all.

Free PM Job shop call on Thursday 9/11/08 "How to Turn Interviews Into Offers"

What: FREE PM Lessons Learned Job Shop conference call
Topic: "How to Turn Interviews Into Offers"
Who: Hosted by Mike Chrepta and Scott Percival
When: Thursday Sept. 11, 2008 9:00 P.M. - 10:15 P.M. (EST)
Where: Conference Dial-in: (269) 320-8300 Access Code: 767 616#

Join us on this free interactive conference call with or guest speaker John Hadley. On this call John will discuss "How to Turn Interviews Into Job Offers". He will share his experience and thoughts on the job search Our goal is to make this as interactive as possible so your participation is very important. John will answer your questions regarding the job search.

Additional topics will be presented on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
We would like your input for future topics. If you are interested in
presenting please let us know.

Visit our Web site at: http://www.pmlessonslearned.com/

John Hadley helps job seekers frustrated with their search. He also works with professionals struggling to increase their influence and visibility at work and in the market. He serves clients internationally in a wide range of jobs and industries.

After graduating from Stanford University, John worked in the financial services industry for 25 years, in roles ranging from Product Manager to Chief Actuary. He then opened a successful systems consulting practice, which generated over $1 million in revenues.

John offers a FREE monthly Career Tips Email newsletter, each month bringing valuable advice on marketing yourself for a career search, or for accelerating your career. You can find that and a variety of other career resources on his website at www.JHACareers.com.

FREE CONFCALL 9/04/08 How to Start and Lead a Local or Online PMP Study Group

Special Conference call this Thursday!

What: FREE PM Lessons Learned PMP Exam Study Group conference call
Topic: "How to Start and Lead a Local or Online PMP Study Group"
Who: Hosted by David Radkovich, PMP, EVP
When: Thursday Sept. 04, 2008 9:00 P.M. – 10:15 P.M. (EST)
Where: Conference Dial-in: (269) 320-8300 Access Code: 767 616#

Join us on this free interactive conference call hosted by David Radkovich, PMP. On this call we will discuss how to start and lead a PMP Examination Study Group.

You can provide your experience, tips or ask questions. Our goal is to make this as interactive as possible so your participation is very important.

Additional topics will be presented on the 1st Thursday of each month. We would like your input for future topics. If you are interested in presenting please let us know.

Visit our Web site at: http://www.pmlessonslearned.com/

Join the Yahoo group for continued reminders of our Free calls!