In this new column, Manage India talks to practitioners who have made a big impact on the PMI India Champion program

HOW HAS THE CHAMPION PROGRAM HELPED YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL? PLEASE ELABORATE ON HOW YOU HAVE BENEFITED AS A PROJECT MANAGER AND A LEADER.
For me, it has been a great learning experience all along. It allowed me to expand my network at the office as I started my journey as a Champion graduate in 2014 and worked with my colleagues to create visibility for the program. We started in a small way with intra-office communication and slowly graduated to managing standees/fliers and hosting events, including working as an emcee and sponsor at the same time. Many a times, as a volunteer, we just learn from on-ground experiences and that is the best teacher one can get. It also gave me an opportunity to lead the team to expand our work by hosting Champions several times at our office. I have made many friends along the way and learned a lot from my mentors and leaders. All this has helped me contribute in a more strategic manner to the program design. We have evolved in governance, structure, and advocacy over the years. Recently, a team of volunteers from Intel was part of our first-ever virtual Champion meeting due to the COVID-19 situation.


WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE CHAMPION PROGRAM TO A NEW VOLUNTEER? WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE EXPECT TO GAIN BY JOINING IT?
This is a great start for a new volunteer as it gives you an environment where you get easier access to connections and sponsorship, and a good platform to gain visibility while contributing to the program. You gain self-confidence, establish a good network with fellow champions from across various sectors, and learn from the seniors and leaders in the governance team on volunteering selflessly. This program allows you to explore your strengths and unlock your personal capability to the fullest

HOW HAVE PMI MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATIONS HELPED YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TEAM?
Being associated with PMI has been very helpful to us. The work group has closely collaborated with PMI India to develop various programs. Our in house team has successfully supported over 200 Project Management Professional (PMP)® certifications by enabling individuals to prepare for the exam. Many of our colleagues have been a part of the Champion Program and have grown along with it.

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Passion Meets Limitless Opportunities

HOW HAS THE CHAMPION PROGRAM HELPED YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL? PLEASE ELABORATE ON HOW YOU HAVE BENEFITED AS A PROJECT MANAGER AND A LEADER.
Working hard is just doing your job — that’s the baseline. But working hard and getting noticed requires more. It’s about smart networking around you, and that is exactly where I truly belong now – the Champions family.

Though I have been associated with PMI for some time, it was three years back that I came across this program by sheer coincidence and applied for it. I was steered and supported by industry leaders whom I would not have been able to meet otherwise. The guidance and support I get from fellow champions and senior mentors in this group has molded me to become a strong part of the project management process within the organization.

Be it internal training or connecting with my peers within the company or elsewhere, the Champion Program has helped me tremendously. The Champion Program has given me exposure to the latest trends in tools and technique within the project management community. Frequent connections with fellow champions through regular meets and other modes of communication have helped me stay ahead of the latest trends in project management.

Being a champion has helped me gain a new outlook on executing projects and programs within my organization. I’m able to guide fellow managers, and propose and implement new concepts within our group and showcase improvements to the team.

WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE CHAMPION PROGRAM TO A NEW VOLUNTEER? WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE EXPECT TO GAIN BY JOINING IT?
Champions are a group of diverse professionals connected through a single thought – passion.

Every project manager who is passionate about their profession should take up this opportunity. This is a unique platform where passion meets limitless opportunity and professionalism.

However, to become a champion is not an easy task. It requires immense dedication and perseverance towards one's profession and hunger for knowledge. In return, the recognition and rewards you receive are just enormous. The opportunity you get to interact with fellow champions, and the guidance and mentoring offered by the senior members from different industries is something I cannot think of getting elsewhere.

HOW HAVE PMI MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATIONS HELPED YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TEAM?
Being associated with PMI for over eight years now, I can truly understand the doors it has opened for me. The vast amount of knowledge and the ability to access the latest trends in the project management community has helped me keep up with this fast-changing atmosphere.

From an organization's point of view, we are capable of building an enthusiastic project management community, which is an active part of most PMI and chapter activities. This, in turn, gives our organization an opportunity to showcase our capability to our clientele.

As an individual, I’m able to help my team members achieve their targets, by raising the bar and supporting them throughout the journey, be it through technical guidance or emotional support.