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5 Myths Around Hosted Phone Systems

January 17, 2022 by properconnections

A hosted phone system offers better security and reliability than landlines, but a few myths will tell you otherwise.

Hosted phone systems offer many benefits to companies looking for ways to cut costs, improve communications features, and allow employees to work from anywhere. If you’re considering a communications upgrade, it’s likely that you’ve considered a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) solution to replace your traditional phone system.

Hosted phone systems have evolved into one of the most popular technology solutions you can implement to improve productivity and the customer experience. And yet, you’re still hesitating to make the transition to VoIP. It’s possible that you’ve fallen victim to one or more of the most common myths surrounding hosted phone systems.

Myth #1: You Will Compromise Data Security With a Hosted Phone System.

Security features like end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and monitoring make VoIP solutions far more secure than a landline. Because the data is protected by the same security policies that govern everything else on your network, you can trust that your data is protected.

Myth #2: Internet-Based Communications Are Unreliable.

Dropped packets, congestion, and latency. These are the villains in any conversation where you are being told that VoIP can’t handle your voice calls. This may have been true in the earliest days of hosted phone systems, but VoIP offers superior quality voice and video calls. Preparing for your bandwidth-hungry VoIP solution requires testing your network for speed and performance, but your main priority should be ensuring that VoIP traffic receives broadband prioritization.

Myth #3: Hosted Phone Systems Haven’t Really Caught On.

VoIP has been on the market for 25 years, but it has also expanded to include newer technology like unified communications as a service (UCaaS), which uses IP-based communications to offer a wide range of rich features, including video conferencing and shared workspaces.

The companies that were already using IP-based communications were able to seamlessly transition to remote work during the pandemic because they were already equipped to allow their employees to work from anywhere. Not only have hosted phone systems caught on, but they have become indispensable.

Myth #4: VoIP Is Too Costly.

VoIP allows you to significantly reduce your phone costs by anywhere from 40-80%. Hosted phone systems use a subscription-based pay model, so your monthly invoice can be categorized as an operating expense. And because there is no major investment in hardware or software, there’s virtually no initial investment. Add in the reduction in maintenance concerns for your IT team, plus the ability to pay only for the number of users you need, and you will see measurable savings.

Myth #5: VoIP Is Difficult to Install and Requires a New Network Infrastructure.

As long as your network meets the speed and performance requirements of the solution you choose, your network will be a good match for VoIP. And installation is relatively simple, using your existing internet connection for communications technology. You may even be able to use handsets and other equipment you already own with your new VoIP solution.

If you’ve been considering a hosted phone system for your company, don’t miss an opportunity to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and customer experiences by falling prey to one of these myths. Contact us at Proper Connections to receive communications technology guidance from an expert. We’ll help you identify your communications needs, evaluate solutions, and leverage the best technology for your budget and your expectations.

4 Reasons to Categorize UCaaS as Essential Business Infrastructure

December 17, 2021 by properconnections

UCaaS offers your company measurable benefits in areas like collaboration and customer experiences.

Companies are shifting much of their technology to the cloud, and one of the most beneficial changes within a broader digital transformation plan is the decision to transition to cloud communications. It offers an array of features that are so disruptive that they can significantly alter the trajectory of your business. Here are four benefits that will have you categorizing UCaaS as business infrastructure:

Future-Proofing Communications

One of the key advantages of cloud communications is the ability to scale up or down in areas like users, new resources or functionality. For instance, if you wanted to add new features and resources to an on-premises solution, it would require you to schedule installation, purchase new hardware and go through testing and training phases.

With UCaaS, you can add or remove users or features in a fraction of the time, and the provider handles all aspects related to technology ownership, such as updates, troubleshooting and maintenance. And if your business has variable levels of volume, your UCaaS solution can expand and contract seamlessly with that seasonality.

Equipping Teams

Cloud communications is changing the way teams function at the most essential levels. With UCaaS, your team members are no longer toggling between email and other programs, trying to trace phases of conversations or track down information. UCaaS offers shared workspaces and fully integrated communications, even offering an availability status so team members know when they can get a quick turnaround on a question.

UCaaS integrates all communications formats so that when your team needs to access conversation history, they can view how the topic progressed across email, voice, chat and text.

Supporting Mobile

Whether on-the-go or working from a home office, UCaaS offers a consistent work experience, no matter where your employees are accessing company resources. Cloud communications only requires a network connection to give employees flexibility in where and when they work.

This has the added benefit of broadening the talent pool for your hiring purposes. With teams able to connect and collaborate over video conferencing and employees equipped to work from anywhere, you are able to hire the best talent, regardless of geographical considerations.

Gaining a Competitive Edge

It’s no secret that the customer experience has become a priority for companies, and UCaaS acts as the infrastructure to propel your business forward:

Integrated communications formats mean that your customers can reach out to agents in the format they prefer.
First-call resolution improves when your team member can easily access information and request details from other team members within the same application.
In more complex projects, customers receive answers quickly because of collaboration and workspace sharing tools available.

Your company likely has critical objectives related to areas like customer satisfaction, productivity and remote work. Contact us at Proper Connections to learn more about why UCaaS offers the ideal infrastructure for your business goals.

3 Factors Fueling the Growth of Hosted Phone Systems

December 13, 2021 by properconnections

The pandemic may have accelerated cloud communications growth, but it was already becoming a popular upgrade.

For many companies, the move to hosted phone systems is one of the more crucial decisions that can drive productivity improvements and decrease costs. There are five important factors driving this growth:

The Shift to BYOD

Mobile technology is becoming important, and employees want to be able to work flexible hours and locations. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs matched with the variety of easily accessible apps make mobile devices an important part of small business tech.

Internet of Things

From health care to manufacturing, equipment is being outfitted with sensors that collect data and provide real-time From healthcare to manufacturing, equipment is being outfitted with sensors that collect data and provide real-time feedback on progress and processes. This is another area where cloud access to apps and reporting is pushing technology forward.

The Pandemic

The growth of hosted phone systems usage was already increasing, but the pandemic propelled digital transformation plans forward. Companies that were already set up with cloud communications were able to more seamlessly continue doing business, while other companies scrambled to make the necessary upgrades.

There are additional broader influences shaping overall cloud communications growth, such as the availability of 5G connectivity and the focus on improving customer experiences. According to GM Insights, the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) market exceeded $30 billion in 2020 and is expected to mark a GACR of 15% through 2027.

If you’re considering a communications upgrade, you’re likely considering a hosted solution. But you may also be flooded with acronyms (the phone system industry has a lot). Here’s a quick guide:

VoIP

VoIP uses an Ethernet connection that runs voice calls through your network. VoIP can generally include video conferencing. Most companies that adopt VoIP will need to do some testing of their network speed and performance because cloud communications demand high bandwidth levels to perform well.

UCaaS

UCaaS is a solution that combines all communications formats into a single application. Your employees and UCaaS is a solution that combines all communications formats into a single application. Your employees and customers will be able to use email, voice calls, video conferencing, chat, and text, with each ongoing conversation accessible – even if your customer contacts you via chat one day and by email the next. You’ll have an easy way to view those conversations.

CCaaS

CCaaS is essentially taking UCaaS capabilities and embedding them into your customer service tools. This means that when a customer makes a request about a financing need, that agent can query an employee in the finance department without leaving the application. It allows communications to be integrated with service to the customer for faster resolution of the issue.

If your business is considering how to prioritize your digital transformation, don’t pass by this trend in cloud coIf your business is considering how to prioritize your digital transformation, don’t pass by this trend in the growth of hosted phone system implementation. Your business could realize significant cost savings while offering consistent work-from-anywhere experiences for your employees. Contact us at Proper Connections to begin examining which communications technology is a good fit for your business goals.

How to Upgrade Your Voice Services With USAC Funding

November 8, 2021 by properconnections

Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) offers the Universal Service Fund, targeted at connecting people across the U.S. to the information they need.

One of the major beneficiaries of this funding is rural healthcare facilities. USAC funding aims to bring world-class healthcare facilities to rural areas by helping organizations get access to broadband and telecommunications services.

The increased connectivity, in turn, facilitates ease of access to helpful information that is especially critical in improving healthcare services.

So, what does the USAC funding provide, and how can your rural healthcare organization apply for it?

How to Apply for USAC Rural Healthcare Funding

USAC’s rural healthcare program majorly funds two types of services:

Voice: Through the Telecommunications Program of USAC, your healthcare organization could be eligible to receive funding for implementing voice and other telecommunication services. The discount rate that you can get here would be determined by the urban/rural differential.
Broadband: USAC has the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program that can provide funding to your healthcare organization for network services, broadband connection, equipment, and more. The discount rate here is a flat 65% on the total eligible expenses.

That said, you can either opt for one or both of the above options depending on your requirements. Here’s the process you can follow to apply for the funding. Alternatively, you can leverage our USAC funding services, and we’ll take care of everything.

1. Determine Your Eligibility

Start with finding out if your healthcare organization is eligible for USAC funding in the first place. Check out your eligibility here.

2. Develop Evaluation Criteria for Service Providers and submit an RFP

Next, come up with a method to evaluate prospective voice services and broadband providers. Some of the aspects you can consider include:

Service and Support: Evaluate the features provided by the voice service or broadband providers and determine if they suit your needs. For instance, check if they provide the entire spectrum of services from cloud to voice and data. Additionally, analyze their customer service to see if it’s up to the mark.
Security and Reliability: Network security is of paramount importance when you’re dealing with healthcare. Added security would help prevent denial of service attacks and keep the critical communications lines on. Also, service reliability is important to ensure that you have minimal downtime.
Scalability: The service provider’s solution should be flexible and scalable enough to handle future growth. That’s where the technology they use comes into the picture. You should thoroughly evaluate it to understand if it’s worth engaging their services.

Once you have your bid evaluation criteria finalized, you can submit a request for proposal (RFP) to USAC for your eligible services, and service providers can bid on it.

3. Evaluate Bids

Once you’ve received the bids from various service providers, you should analyze them based on the criteria you’ve decided. Based on that, you can select a provider. Make sure the bidder you choose is also the most cost-effective one.

4. Submit a Funding Request

Next, submit a funding request to USAC for broadband or voice services.

5. Invoice USAC

Invoice USAC to receive the approved funding. Your service provider will approve the invoicing form, and receive the credit to apply to your account.

Get USAC Funding With Proper Connections

The process of getting USAC funding can be confusing, and the rules are ever changing, so it always helps to have experienced partners in the process. When you work with Proper Connections, we’ll help you create a powerful technology strategy for your healthcare organization.

With years of experience in the field, we can help you through the entire process of getting USAC funding – be it for voice services or broadband. So, get in touch with us today to request a quote.

The Role of USAC Funding in Digital Transformation of Healthcare Facilities

November 5, 2021 by properconnections

Investing in new-age technological innovations has become crucial for healthcare facilities. As medical professionals reeled under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic, various tech advancements came to their rescue.

While rural healthcare organizations understand the importance of adopting digital technology, they lack adequate funds to take the plunge.

Between getting a broadband connection and finding a telecommunications service provider, these facilities may not have the resources for digital transformation. That’s where funding programs by the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC)¹ step into the picture.

In this blog, we’ll explore the role of USAC grants in the digital transformation of rural healthcare organizations.

Top Technology Trends in Healthcare

The use of advanced technology in healthcare isn’t a new phenomenon. But the pandemic has skyrocketed the adoption of the following tech innovations:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Predictive Analysis

The introduction of AI to medical services will be instrumental in improving diagnostics, treatments, and the quality of patient care.

Medical professionals can use AI to identify infectious disease patterns. Additionally, it’ll eliminate the chances of human error in diagnosing complex diseases and outlining treatment plans.

AI tools will also help physicians collect and analyze clinical data. Healthcare facilities across the globe have already been using predictive analysis to preempt COVID-19 spikes² and build effective vaccination strategies.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

Both AR and VR can go a long way in helping implement remote healthcare facilities. These technologies emerged as a savior when the pandemic began.

Medical professionals used gamification and other AR tools to quickly learn new skills, such as operating ventilators³ and managing intensive care units.

Apart from training physicians and surgeons, AR tools can also be used for the physical rehabilitation of patients.

Cyber Security

The increased dependence on digital technology makes healthcare facilities vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations have already been battling ransomware⁴ attacks and data breaches.

The increase in volume of cyber attacks highlights the need for using cyber security tools to safeguard medical records and patient data.

The Role of USAC Funding

All these technologies can serve to transform healthcare organizations – especially rural ones – but most organizations have to focus on other aspects before they can consider how to leverage such solutions.

These include finding a reliable broadband provider and equipping your staff with proper communication tools.

The good news is that rural healthcare facilities can leverage USAC’s grants for this. The Universal Service Fund aims to provide people in the U.S. with access to the information and resources they need.

They offer two types of funding for rural healthcare organizations:

Telecommunications Program: It provides funding for the deployment of voice and telecommunications services.
Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program: It provides funding to address the internet connectivity needs of rural healthcare facilities.

Applying for these grants can be confusing, and you’ll need to understand whether your healthcare organization meets the eligibility. Seeking help from an experienced USAC consulting service like Proper Connections will help you better navigate the process.

Applying for USAC’s funding could help you minimize the cost of purchasing network equipment or hiring a telecommunications service provider by as much as 65%. The funds you save could instead be leveraged to implement other technologies, such as automation and cyber security.

Claim Your USAC Funding With Proper Connections

Receiving a USAC grant could be a stepping stone in the digital transformation of your healthcare organization. A trusted partner can handhold you through the process of applying for funding and choosing the right vendors.

At Proper Connections, we assist you at every step of the USAC funding application process.

Get in touch with us today to request a quote and start your digital transformation journey.

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Five Factors Influencing Unified Communications Pricing

October 11, 2021 by properconnections

A hosted solution may be a good option for keeping unified communications pricing in check.

From finance to the tech team, when you invest in a communications upgrade, everyone wants to know what it’s going to cost. You may be discussing upfront costs, ongoing costs, or total cost of ownership, but as you talk with different providers, you may struggle to get a clear picture of unified communications pricing.

Even if you’re early in the consideration and selection process, there may be a lot of pressure to quantify the savings you can expect with unified communications. And then there are questions around hosting: does it save even more money if you choose a hosted version versus an on-site unified communications solution?

Here are five factors that play the biggest role in determining your unified communications pricing:

Number of Users

One of the benefits of unified communications is that you will only pay for the number of users you need. Depending on the provider, a per-user cost of around $60 is a safe estimate if your team already has laptops, smartphones, and any other necessary user device. Because the provider houses and maintains any hardware and software for the solution when you choose hosted unified communications, your monthly costs will include these factors.

Hardware and Software

If you’re choosing an on-site unified communications solution, expect to spend more than $70,000 on hardware and software. This expense is generally the biggest motivator companies have for shifting their communications solution to the cloud. In this case, the provider pays for, manages, and maintains the session border controller (SBC).

Maintenance

These are considered ongoing costs and include the hourly wages of maintenance personnel, plus the additional hardware maintenance costs. Maintenance may also include hardware upgrades in order to stay current with software requirements. These costs can vary, but $150 per user, per year is a good estimate.

IT

When investing in unified communications, it can seem like the IT requirements will just fold into the daily responsibilities of your existing team. Even though your IT team may have supported your on-site phone branch exchange (PBX), the demands for unified communications may be much higher. This puts a drag on everything else your IT department is trying to accomplish, which is another reason many companies opt for hosted unified communications.

Long-Term Considerations

When you choose hosted unified communications, you can scale up or down as needed with just a few clicks. When you have an on-site solution, you may need to plan ahead for expanded user capacity. This can include additional hardware, network upgrades, and additional IT staff hours.

If you’re trying to get a clear read on unified communications pricing, it’s evident that making a decision between on-site and hosted will make a significant difference in your planning. To examine these and other choices related to unified communications, contact us at Proper Connections.

5 Reasons for a Unified Communications Migration

October 8, 2021 by properconnections

More businesses are opting for a unified communications migration as a way to cut communications costs.

If it’s time for a communications upgrade, it’s unlikely that your company is limiting options to on-premise phone branch exchange (PBX) systems. Companies are increasingly turning to the cloud for software, networking, and data storage – so why not invest in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) unified communications?

For many companies, a unified communications migration is one of the most critical choices they will make, both for internal processes and the customer experience. Its feature-rich design makes it attractive for meeting the varied needs of customers and the representatives that serve them. Here are five reasons you should consider implementing it for your company:

Installation

An on-site phone system may take months to configure after installation is finished, plus you need to account for the time to set up workstations and conduct training. Because unified communications requires no additional hardware or public switched telephone network (PSTN) circuits, installations often require only around 30 days. The majority of that time is spent porting your numbers from your other carrier.

Reduced Costs

There are a few ways to think about the cost-savings your company will experience with a unified communications migration. Besides the lower monthly invoice, your payments can also be designated as monthly operating expenses, rather than a single capital investment as with your legacy PBX model.

You’ll also see soft savings in areas like increased productivity, streamlined decision-making, and ease of use. With video conferencing options for team meetings, you’ll save resources on travel. You’ll also be able to hire the best talent, no matter where they live.

Scalability

When you use VoIP-based unified communications, you pay only for the number of users you need. When it’s time to scale up or down because of a promotion or seasonal rush, adding users is as simple as a few clicks of your mouse.

Flexibility

Unified communications is flexible for your customers. They can choose from a variety of formats when they want to contact someone from your company. From chat and email to voice and video conferencing, there are plenty of options.

Unified communications also offers flexibility for your staff. Its sole requirement for access is connectivity, so as long as your employees have an internet connection, they can work from anywhere. This is particularly helpful as companies offer continued remote work options for employees or allow a hybrid environment where employees spend some days in the office and some days at home. Unified communications means that the customer receives a consistent experience, no matter where your employee chooses to work.

Better Productivity

From collaborating on shared workspaces to video conferencing that takes the place of meetings, unified communications helps business get finished in a streamlined process. For your team, this means fewer hours spent searching for files, attending meetings, or sending emails. Decisions get made faster.

One more thing… Before you begin the process of implementing unified communications, take some time to test your network for performance and speed. Factors like dropped packets, latency, and congestion can have a big impact on real-time applications like unified communications.

If you are in need of a network infrastructure upgrade, unified communications will make that painfully clear.If you are looking at a unified communications migration, contact us at Proper Connections. We can assist you at each step of the way, from testing your network to selecting a communications solution that fits your needs and your budget.

A Quick Reality Check on UCaaS Pricing

September 13, 2021 by properconnections

Is UCaaS pricing as good as it sounds? A few common pitfalls often make it more expensive.

When it’s time to upgrade communications technology, moving to the cloud is an obvious choice. Unified communications as a service (UCaaS) promises feature-rich, scalable solutions at a fraction of the cost of a private branch exchange (PBX). But some companies end up paying more, not less. UCaaS pricing usually puts companies in a better position, but only if you’re educated about what you’re getting and at what cost.

Early into the evaluation process, you will notice a common theme across UCaaS pricing conversations. UCaaS solutions promise the following:

You have the ability to trade a capital investment for a monthly, subscription-based pay model that can be categorized as operating expenses.
You are charged only for the number of users accessing the solution, and only for the features they use.
You have the option to scale up and down as business demands.
You get inclusive pricing that allows you the comfort of knowing that upgrades, hardware, and maintenance are all included.

These promises are all accurate, and they can deliver measurable savings. But companies need to watch for a few areas where pricing can become inflated and they end up with a higher invoice than anticipated:

Minimum Quantities

Your contract may include minimum user numbers that could be based on inaccurate or overestimated legacy phone use.

One-Size-Fits-All

The contract includes payment for features that are only required by a small percentage of your staff.

Hidden Fees

These may be a third-party service necessary to complete your installation, service management, or additional fees for design, training, or installation.

Timing of Contract Date

If your charges commence on your contract date but implementation takes place over several months, you may be paying invoices without usable communications services.

Discounting Requirements

In order to get the promised price, you find out at contract time that you must pay for several years’ worth of services up front in order to qualify. This may threaten your ability to categorize your investment as a monthly expense.

While every technology investment can come with a few surprises, here are three ways to protect your budget and anticipate or protect against the possibility of additional items on your invoice for UCaaS pricing:

Choose a provider that will provide a contract enabling you to increase or decrease users. Make sure you are not committed to a major contract extension each time your needs change.
Implement an onboarding strategy that limits invoicing to when services actually begin. Do not accept a contract that begins billing you before implementation, because you need your provider to be motivated to complete your transition to UCaaS.
Survey users carefully before you begin your transition to get an accurate count on the number of users your contract should include.

Ultimately, the right UCaaS pricing gets you the features that allow you to expand productivity and collaboration while reducing your costs. And having a technology partner with extensive experience in UCaaS can help. Contact us at Proper Connections to get started on your UCaaS migration.

4 Trends in Unified Communications

September 10, 2021 by properconnections

From hybrid workforces to the increased investment in cloud technology, unified communications is now prevalent.

Unified communications delivers a host of features including instant messaging, video conferencing, and data sharing, all collaborative tools designed to support a geographically dispersed team. It can be accessed via managed services through unified communications as a service (UCaaS) and offers benefits like scalability and cost-savings over traditional landline-based communications technology.

The quality of the services accessed through unified communications has only improved as the technology has matured. The introduction of 5G makes latency and other connectivity challenges less threatening, and the incorporation of virtual networking solutions by many companies is making supporting unified communications easier.

Here are four trends shaping the way unified communications is being used in a post-pandemic world:

The Market Is Growing

Over the next several years, the UCaaS market has an expected increase at a CAGR of 9.6%, reaching a market value of more than $26.2 billion in 2027. North American countries are expected to have the highest investment in UCaaS, with high-speed internet and widespread smartphone usage expected to fuel growth in the United States and Canada.

The Permanence of Hybrid Teams

As companies shift from full work-from-home to permanent hybrid options, unified communications delivers a consistent work experience, no matter the location. It also supports productivity and streamlined decision-making with tools for collaboration between employees and teams.

The Shift to Cloud Solutions

Companies are increasingly depending on the cloud for infrastructure and software subscriptions. Unified communications dovetails well into a cloud-first environment, with UCaaS offering features that integrate with other cloud technology. Cloud solutions enable employees to work anywhere, and unified communications supports business processes with services that enable teams to meet virtually.

Education Is Embracing Tech

After widespread closure, schools and other educational institutions needed quick solutions. Part of the adaptation to equip schools with virtual capabilities was the implementation of unified communications. While some schools developed strategies using software, there were others that utilized unified communications to conduct online exams and other activities.

The pandemic caused many companies to accelerate digital transformation plans already in motion or to introduce new priorities around cloud adoption. For many businesses, the shift to unified communications initially solved some of the challenges in a crisis and ultimately offered lasting benefits for the hybrid workplace such as:

The ability to hire the best talent with no regard for geographical location.
Reduced expenses related to travel for in-person meetings.
The ability to scale in a matter of minutes, only paying for the number of users required at any time.
A shift from a capital investment in communications technology to a monthly operating expense.
Productivity improvements as employees share workspaces and collaborate on video conferencing and messaging tools.

If your company has been considering unified communications, Proper Connections can help you leverage the best solution to match your communications priorities. Contact us to get started.

Project Management 101 – Getting Started

November 12, 2020 by properconnections

By Mare Levine and Karen Dapper

Businesses know projects need project managers if they want their project to meet their goals, remain on time, and stay within its budget. While no one knows for sure how many Project Managers (PM) there are in the United States, ProjectManager.com, estimates there are 9-11 million, while DataUSA.io puts the number at just over 11 million. If each PM has six projects, that’s over 66 million projects looking for the guidance and professional support only a PM can give.

What is a Project?

Has a clear start and finish
Creates something new (even if it already exists elsewhere)
Has boundaries (such as project scope and specifications)
Has someone in charge or someone personally invested in the outcome

That seems pretty simple at first glance, but it’s also very powerful. A PM and their team create something new, within a framework, that has a personal and most likely, has a corporate investment in a positive outcome. That’s why having a project done correctly is so important.

What are the Parts of a Project?

Charter
Project Plan
Timeline
Stakeholders
Tasks for multiple teams
Meetings (there could be a lot)
Budget
Risk log, communication plan and resource plans
Hand off and close project

While not every project has all of these pieces, all projects do need structure and the commitment of the team involved (the stakeholders), to see it through to a successful conclusion.

What Does a PM Need to Have?

Organizational skills
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to motivate others
Agility to change course
Critical thinking
Talent for negotiation
Unshakable calmness

Could you be a great PM if you were missing a few of these skills? Possibly, but don’t count on it. If you want to be a PM, work on your weak areas and your stakeholders will have more respect for you.

All Projects are Unique

Some projects are quick and completed in weeks
Some projects last years
Some projects get started only to end abruptly due to changes in business priorities
There are more than a dozen methodologies for successfully managing projects
Some projects do not fit into a typical format and require ingenuity

There are many different paths to the successful completion of a project. Not only do different companies use different tools, but most project managers deploy a unique set of tools for each project. For instance, some companies may rely heavily on Zoom video conferencing, while another might use #Slack channels (direct messaging) for a large part of their communication. Rather than trying to force a team to use what the PM wants, the PM will be flexible about using what works best for their client and the project.

Some Highlights of Being a PM

At the end of the project you have accomplished something tangible that didn’t exist before
Each project is different, even if it’s with the same team or tools
Building a network of people who have the talent and expertise to help a project reach its goal

At Proper Connections, we have a team of smart, seasoned PMs who are passionate about their projects. If you don’t have the talent in-house to tackle a project, or your PMs are already deployed on other projects and you need an assist, contact us today. We’re ready to help make your next unique project a success!