Mark E. Geres

PM by Design Canada, Inc.

Located in Canada's National Capital Region, Ottawa-Gatineau

Project Management by Design—According to Plan; By Intention

Business Project Support and Oversight

Operations, Service Delivery,  Marketing & Supply Chain

Business projects are projects that are intended to achieve defined business objectives and are aligned with an organization’s business strategy.

"There is no such thing as an ‘IT project’. There are only business projects with an IT component.”—June Drewry, CIO of Chubb Corp., InfoWorld, 2006

Personal Characteristics

An instinctive organizer, who can both create and maintain systems. Precise, detail-oriented and conscientious—I take great pride in being accurate and correct. I ask important questions and talk about problems that could hold up projects. I am a "do it yourself" manager who maintains focus on tasks and will see something through until it's finished.

I emphasize quality, think logically, and strive for a diplomatic approach and consensus within groups. Because I focus on the details and often see what many others do not, I tend to be a good problem solver and very creative. I think very analytically and systematically, and make decisions carefully with plenty of research and information to back it up.

I have very high standards for both myself and others. I bring perspective to groups and tend to be the "anchor of reality" in team thought. When something is proposed, I will think through every detail of how it works and the process. I will make realistic estimates and will voice the problems that I see with the plan or already existing system. I am conscientious and even-tempered. I will complete tasks I've committed to and will be very thorough.

I take great pride in doing my work accurately and am excellent at analyzing, researching, or testing information.

My Ideal Work Environment

I like an environment where tasks and projects can be followed through to completion, and especially excel in specialized or technical tasks due to my attention to detail. I feel most safe when there is procedure and routine, and when given instructions and reassurance that I am doing what is expected of me. I desire independence and autonomy, but also a controlled and organized work environment.

I`d Prefer to Work With Private Enterprise Over Government Organizations

So what makes government organizations different from private enterprise, and how do those differences influence project management? Here are a few things I consider:

• entrenched silos
• tenured employment status
• failure without repercussions
• form over function, process over outcome
• everything is political, and
• true success is hard to achieve.

Project Management Officer/Analyst

Open to business project support and oversight work—as an employee, contractor or subcontractor.

I`d prefer working with private enterprise over government organizations.

PM Knowledge, Accreditation, Training & Education, Security Clearance, Language Skills and Work Experience

I am adaptable, trainable and trustworthy—with a good knowledge-base of tactical and strategic project management theory, frameworks, techniques, methodologies, foundational standards, practice standards and good/approved best practices.

Well-trained & accredited, having earned PMP®, MoP® - Portfolio Management Practitioner, PRINCE2® Project Management Practitioner and ITIL® IT Service Management-Foundation certifications. 

GC Level II (SECRET) clearance | Proficient in both official languages ─ Bilingual English/French GC Level CBB

Four years of post-secondary studies, including Project Management—PMI® PMBOK-based; Marketing Management; Business Administration; Computer Programming and Networks; and the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM®) formerly APICS®, CPIM Production & Inventory Management at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology and CÉGEP (collège d'enseignement général et professionnel).

Fifteen+ years of diverse work experience—with both private and public-sector organizations. Business projects with information and communication technology, systems, organizational processes, project offices, manufacturing, operations & supply chain.

A Project's Success

A project's success is measured by product & project quality, timeliness, budget compliance, and degree of customer & stakeholders' satisfaction.

I really enjoy supporting people and organizations who strive to optimize their tactical and strategic business practices.

I can help to strike a balance, to find and deliver to your organization's sweet spot.

"Innovation is not a slogan, or a cliché; it’s a way of working. It’s an attitude of enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s about observing what we currently do and wondering how it can be done better."— Ed Bernacki