HOW HAS THE CHAMPION PROGRAM HELPED YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL? Before being a PMI India Champion, I was just another ‘brick in the wall’. Today, I can feel I stand out and can make my presence felt in a crowd. It has helped me in multiple ways. I have got access to some of the finest project management professionals and practices, which has enriched my awareness about the latest innovative offerings. It has also helped me achieve a dream, which is to graduate from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. My knowledge about latest trends in project and product management across domains and their application in various technologies has increased. Interactions with other Champions have made me more confident about handling any challenge. This has helped me to stay one step ahead in the rapidly changing world. HOW HAVE YOU BENEFITED AS A PROJECT MANAGER AND A LEADER? The Champion program helps a person grow as a project/program manager and as a leader. It is not easy to get into the Champion program. One has to earn the badge through dedication and passion, and then retain it with pride and honor. The journey makes you a skilled and efficient project manager and leader. I can now look at a situation from a different angle. The way I design, lead and manage a project or program has undergone a paradigm shift, thanks to the Champion experience. My clients and stakeholders are happy and look forward to working closely with me and my team. This generates a chain reaction, which has impacted business outcomes positively. The knowledge I have gained has empowered me to manage and govern assets and resources more effectively to achieve excellence in delivery and consulting. I have received appreciation from my organization’s senior leadership and from the IBM Project Management Centre of Excellence for imparting PMP® training to fellow practitioners. WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE CHAMPION PROGRAM TO A NEW VOLUNTEER? The PMI India Champion badge shows one’s passion and dedication toward project management. One gains knowledge, mentoring opportunities and peer learning opportunities. Champions can also present papers and concepts, and influence the larger project management community at a national and global level. They can learn the latest project management skills, tools and frameworks, and polish their communication, presentation, leadership and influencing capabilities. And all this comes with ample recognition and rewards for constant motivation. Being the recipient of many such awards, I know how it feels when people appreciate your work. By coaching aspiring managers for PMI certifications, you create a network of mentees who look up to you. How many would get a chance to be part of PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) review for upcoming versions? How many would get a chance to take centerstage at the national conference? The Champion program lets you gain such exposures. HOW HAVE PMI MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATIONS HELPED YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION OR TEAM? PMI certifications have helped me immensely in achieving excellence in delivery and consulting, resulting in successful delivery and management of complex projects and programs. I have been involved in various PMI initiatives. It has helped me grow my capabilities, which in turn has helped my organization. Organizational and external recognition have accelerated my professional growth. Very recently, my project won the ‘best project’ award in my organization, which I delivered following best practices in agile project management. I have also gained because of strong personal branding and positioning as a well-networked professional, a problem solver and a leader. I have participated in multiple internal and industry events and forums. My organization has a large number of PMI certified project managers, which has created a more efficient pool of project managers, leading to higher client confidence.