Author name: Johanna

I help you identify and solve the problems that prevent you from releasing systems, hiring the right people, deciding which project to work on next. I take a pragmatic approach: what will work best for you, now? Some people call me a focuser. Some call me an accelerator. When I work with people, first we define our goal together. Typically, it's to get a better product out the door faster. I work with my clients to help managers figure out how to do the managing better, and how the technical contributors can contribute better, not to create a by-the-book system. I work with you, your staff, and your current product development practices. Together, we learn what works well for you and what doesn't. I believe in changing only what needs to be changed at the current time, to maximize your success. We work together to develop a blueprint for the future, and to build in capacity to recognize and implement change.

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Three Secrets for a Successful Job Search

Three Secrets for a Successful Job Search Are you looking for a job? If you are, I bet you’ve received advice from many people–whether or not you wanted it. Here are my three secret ingredients for a successful search: Secret #1: Create a system that works for you. I happen to like personal kanban inside […]

cultural fit, HTP

Tech Managers: Time to Grow Up and Manage Like Humans

I read Technology’s Man Problem in the New York Times this weekend. I thought those days were long gone—but they’re not. Since when is it acceptable to make any comment about anybody’s body part at work? Hello? Are we in the 7th grade? I thought “men” were past that. The gentlemen I know are past

HTP, job search trap

Job Search Trap: Not Preparing for Each Interview

You’ve landed the interview. Congratulations! Now what? Make sure you can discuss your value in detail. If you haven’t done so, review your value as in Four Tips to Defining Your Value. For each and every interview, you want to research the organization and prepare for the interview. You want to understand the questions they

newsletter

Is the Urgent Consuming You?

Is the Urgent Consuming You? When you start work in the morning, what do you do? Do you check email, listen to your voicemail? Let the urgent take over your day? Do your meetings drive your day? If you do, you are not alone. Is there a better way? There can be. You can take

management, MPD

Who Solves Which Problems?

Many years ago, I was part of a task force to “standardize” project management at an organization. I suggested we gather some data to see what kinds of projects the client had. They had short projects, where it was clear what they had to do: 1-3 week projects where 2-4 people could run with the

HTP, job search trap

Job Search Trap: Spray-and-Pray

In Manage Your Job Search, I discuss a number of traps. A common one is “spray and pray” for your resume. Spray-and-pray is when you send your resume everywhere, without thinking of your target market. You are not perfect for every job. Every company is not perfect for you. Do not apply everywhere. Instead of

newsletter

Emergent Projects: Managing the Unpredictable

Emergent Projects: Managing the Unpredictable Are you planning a change project, managing your way through a job search, or some other not-totally-deterministic project? Wouldn’t it be nice if life went according to plan? You could create a roadmap first, estimate how long things would take to get done, create a project plan, and do them.

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