As an executive or middle manager of your company, there are some key questions that you probably have regarding PMI and our local chapter.  Some common ones are:

• Why should my company be involved with this organization?
• Why should my employees be involved?
• Will my employees be recruited from this “pool”  of PM talent?
• How much is it going to cost me?

Excellent project management has never been as important as it is today.  The economy is weakened and you still have projects that must succeed.  Most importantly, these projects are under more scrutiny, tighter budgetary pressure, and being performed with fewer resources.  Today’s project managers need to get it right, quickly and under budget.  They need expert skill, an effective network and stellar interpersonal skills.  Click here for more detail on the proven benefits to companies world-wide as they focus on professional project management.

Here are some of the answers to the questions above:

Why?  Your Project Managers stay current.

Monthly dinner meetings that cover leadership skills, specific project case studies (lessons learned), and some technical PM topics.  The industries covered are wide ranging and the presenters are routinely nationally known.

Periodic continuing development classes, seminars and other events.  These are more focused on a particular area and are generally a full-day event.

Potential business via networking

With over 800 members representing over 200 organizations, all in Hampton Roads, there is a good chance that your customers, suppliers, and/or peers are already involved.  Membership in PMIHR provides regular opportunities to meet other professionals, discuss project management, and potentially generate business contacts. 

This may raise the question “wouldn’t this lead to other job opportunities for my employees?” Honestly, yes, it could.  However, PMIHR does not distribute personal information to its members nor to any other party.  If someone was looking for a change in the first place, they would find ways to achieve their goals.  Being actively involved in PMIHR and working with your employees on their project management career aspirations can foster tremendous loyalty and put any of these ideas to rest.

Cost

Membership in PMIHR is on an individual basis.  Many companies reimburse their employees for the costs of membership and events as an educational/continuing development cost.  Others bear none of the costs.  It simply comes down to what value you and your company place on the benefits that are gained through membership.

To learn more about what a relationship between your company and PMIHR can do for you and your employees, please contact the chapter This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We’d be very pleased to meet with you to explore ways to work together.