Breakout Session # 906 Moderator: Linda Riviera, Contracting Officer, NASA

2. New Professionals – Panel #2“Professional Development”Continuing Education, Mentoring & Networking Breakout Session # 906 Moderator: Linda Riviera, Contracting Officer, NASA NCMA National Board of Directors Panelists: Rene Rendon, Bill Kaplan, Melanie Burgess Date: April 8, 2009 Time: 11:30 – 1:00pm 1

3. Continuing Education and Professional Certifications Dr. Rene G. Rendon, CPCM, CPSM, PMP Associate Professor U.S. Naval Postgraduate School 2

4. Initial Thoughts • Contract Management (CM) is a knowledge-intensive profession • You are only as effective as the CM knowledge you have and can put into action to execute the program • Knowledge and the ability to execute is what CM professionals bring to the fight. 3

5. Initial Thoughts • The CM environment is constantly changing—therefore, your CM knowledge must also be constantly changing to keep current! • Don’t rely only on your organization to provide all of your CM training and education or to keep you current on CM best practices! 4

6. Initial Thoughts • Sources of CM knowledge • Formal college degree program • Professional certification programs • Formal training programs • Informal training and mentoring programs 5

7. Initial Questions • What is the shelf-life of your undergraduate degree? • What’s more important---Education or Experience? • What’s the value of professional certifications? 6

8. Professional Certifications • Shows commitment to the profession. • Promotes continuous professional growth and development - lifelong learning. • Reflects universally accepted standards for identifying & recognizing professionals. • Have world-wide recognition. • Requires a commitment to yourself and your organization to hold yourself to a professional ethical standard of conduct 7

9. Mentoring Bill Kaplan, CPCM, Fellow Chief Knowledge Officer Acquisition Solutions, Inc. 8

10. Mentoring is a Leadership Responsibility Mentoring is a non-negotiable function of successful leadership Hans Finzel, Top tem Mistakes Leaders, make 1994

11. Why Would You Want to be a Mentor? Better leaderBroad perspectiveExposure to workforce Learn from those who doPride SatisfactionUphold organizational values Others???

12. Mentor’s Role You need to understand the culture in which you work Listener Questioner Advisor

13. Effective Mentors… Understand the culture Lead by example Can explain how the organization operates Want to share critical knowledge Can serve as a positive role model Sensitivity to others needs and developments Want to coach and teach by example Can appreciate differences in opinion Can offer quality time Cam maintain confidentiality Can challenge critical thinking

14. Effective Mentees Want a Mentor because… With mentors, more visibility and understanding about the organization Can achieve higher performance Can get honest and trusted advice Can get advice and direction on career goals Can point out resources not otherwise known that can be used Objectives Learn Identify goals Accept feedback Network • Attributes • Set goals and work to them • Take responsibility for self-development • Effective listener and asker • Embrace new thinking • Acts to modify behaviors • Value difference • Can maintain confidentiality 13

15. Mentoring Process Identify potential mentor candidates Prepare for obstacles Approach the potential mentor Attend mentor/mentee learning activities Launch the relationship Establish goals Initial Meeting Manage the relationship Closure

16. Networking Melanie Burgess Senior Consultant Cherry, Bekaert, & Holland, L.L.P. 15

17. What is Networking? • Can I borrow your knife? • Dictionary: The act of meeting new people in a business or social context • Success coach: the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another (Spiesman) 16

18. Networking • Networking isn't about the quantity of contacts you make; it's about the quality of relationships you enjoy. (Corcodilos) • Reach out and touch someone 17

19. Networking • Your stories 18

20. Networking • Importance of friendship • Stay in touch • Be genuine • Be friendly • Build trust • Be honest • Follow through 19

21. Networking • Get Involved • Warning! This is a big time commitment • Join organizations you care about • NCMA • Special Interest • Toastmasters • CMLDP 20

22. Networking • Value • Contacts for mentoring • Job search • Perspective on work/life issues 21

23. Networking • Who is in your network? • Relatives • Friends • College alumni • NCMA members • Customers/Clients • Co-workers 22

24. Networking Tips • Smile • Say hello • Remember names • Ask open ended questions • Get the other person talking • Everyone loves to talk about themselves 23

25. More Tips • Be proud of your team • Never travel alone • Never eat alone • Ask for introductions • Be a Connector • Maintain professionalism 24

26. Networking • How to make it work • You are here – 1st step complete • Email your new friends when you return home • Volunteer in your local chapter • Expand your network 25

27. Networking • Making it Work, cont’d • Be active • Be known as a leader by running committees • Be known as an expert by speaking at events • Utilizing social networking • Mentoring • No excuses 26

28. Networking The world is waiting… Get out and get known! 27

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