The right way to do a project kickoff meeting

A Very interesting snippet from Techrepublic Today newsletter:

Sometimes projects don't always go through an organized sequence of planning and execution. You're forced to jump into execution and then catch up with the planning later. Before you know it, you find that team members and stakeholders have varying levels of understanding about the purpose and status of the project. Regardless of how you start your project, you should always hold a project kickoff. Here's how to do it.

Project management resources

• Putting the client before the technology, by putting the right technology before the client
  When recommending a solution to a client, it's tempting to go with what you know or like best. But, of course, you owe it to the customer to recommend what will work optimally for them long after you've moved on to other engagements.
• Three "project management sins" and how they affect our teams
  The deadly sins of project management represent the worst of ourselves.

Technology resources

• Upgrading a user to Windows Vista from Windows 2000
  What happened to those good old days when you could upgrade your current operating system onto that clean (or brand new) hard drive, simply by being prompted to provide the CD from a qualifying product during the installation process? With a Windows Vista upgrade from Windows 2000, that's apparently a thing of the past.

• SolutionBase: Discover multiple options for running Windows on a Mac
  Most major software programs are now available in Macintosh-specific versions; occasionally, however, some third-party programs require Windows. Fortunately, Windows administrators responsible for also supporting Apple systems benefit from several powerful applications, making it easier than ever to dual-boot or otherwise run Windows XP or Vista on a Mac. Erik Eckel examines these options.

Career management

• Find the right match: Strategic alliance, vendor partnership, or joint venture
  When your consultancy is ready to augment the services it offers, a strategic partnership may be the answer. Depending on your goals, clients, and services, one of three types will fit.
• Keep these five professionals on your list of alliances
  No consultant or consulting firm survives without strategic partners. You need these five professional alliances to build your business.