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The Best Damn Project Management Software

5/2/2018

... Is not going to save your project. There, now that I have your attention, let's talk software and projects.

What do you use for your project software? One tool? Many tools? Open source? Homegrown? Free? Expensive? Site license? Per-user license? Small learning curve? Large learning curve? Desktop? Cloud-based? The options are almost endless. And now hundreds of players stand where just a couple stood 20 years ago. Can one of these save your project? Probably not. Let's discuss...

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The LA Games Conference 2018 Starts May 8th

5/1/2018

Join the most influential decision makers in the digital media industry... at Digital Media Wire's LA Games Conference 2018 (LAGC2018) in West Hollywood starting in only 7 days!

To network, do deals, and share ideas about the future of games and connected entertainment attend the LA Games Conference! As LA's local games event, LA Games Conference brings together LA's dynamic community of developers and game leaders for meaningful networking and meetings at the center of Silicon Beach and Hollywood. The event is held at the iconic W Hollywood and features fireside chats, roundtables, panels and presentations on digital game investment, creation, distribution, marketing and monetization and plenty of networking opportunities with many of the elite in the industry.

Register now...

Top 5 Causes of Project Failure (and How to Avoid It)

4/30/2018

If we had a magic potion that would make it so no projects could ever fail, there's no question we could sell it for a ton of money. Likewise, if we could ensure that we knew all the reasons projects fail and could map out how to avoid or mitigate those potential failure points, we'd also be pretty rich.

While we may not be able to cast a spell for successful projects, we can narrow down the key causes of project failure to a few major ones. Let's discuss the top 5 reasons for project failure, and come away with some positive and useful takeaways.

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MindGenius - the Best MindMapping and Project Management Software has Big Changes for 2018

4/28/2018

Revolutionize the Way you Think with MindGenius. Are you a visual thinker? Then MindGenius is for you... think visually with powerful mindmapping and project management features built for your best work

Check out these videos to see what MindGenius is and how it has changed in 2018. And signup for the free version to try it.

What’s New in MindGenius 2018
Creative MindMapping
Project Mangement
Solution Finder

Only $79 - Make Sure You're Ready for the PMP Certification Test

4/27/2018

It's important for you and the people you serve that you're successful with becoming PMP certified.

So Cheetah Learning has created this program for you to reduce your risks and increase your chances of success with becoming a PMP.

It includes a webinar on the five quick steps to become PMP certified and a PMP Readiness Baseline Exam.

Register by April 27, 2018 and get this course for $79. Use the promotion code - "fivestepsPMP"

Click Here to Reserve Your Space

Here's the details...

Five Quick Steps to Become Project Management Professional Certified

This program will help you get started on your journey to become a PMP and it includes a 25 question baseline exam to assess your readiness for passing the PMP certification exam.

1. Quickly attain the 35 hours of basic Project Management Education required to become eligible to take the PMP exam.

2. Learn how to position your Project Management experience to pass the Project Management Institute's (PMI) Eligibility Application

3. Understand the "PMI Way" so you can have a better chance of passing the PMP exam.

4. See how you can best integrate your working experience so you can quickly pick out the correct answers on the PMP exam.

5. Keep alert and focused during the grueling four-hour PMP exam so you can logically deduce the correct answers on the exam.

At the end of the webinar, you take a 25 question baseline exam to assess your PMP Readiness

Reserve your spot today!

Vegas Golden Knights Start Round 2 Tonight vs. San Jose Sharks as Favorites to Win the Stanley Cup

4/26/2018

First they were 200-1 odds at the beginning of the season to win it all. Then they surprised everyone by winning their division and making the playoffs easily. Next, they swept the LA Kings in Round 1... and now they are Stanley Cup favorites in their first season in the NHL. Yes, the Vegas Golden Knights.

Marc-Andre Fleury was sensational in Round 1 (with a .977 save percentage and a 0.65 goals-against average). The 33-year-old looked rested after a season in which he started just 46 games. Now the rest of his team is rested too. After sweeping the first round, the Golden Knights have gone nine days between games.

Doing What You Have to for Project Success - It's not Textbook

4/26/2018

Calling all project teams... attention! Project success does not come easy.

You can't wing it or phone it in. You may be able to for a short time, but success will not be yours on an ongoing basis. Project management is not easy, designing a solution is not easy, managing clients and client expectations comes with a high price and just when you think you're done you often are not. Fool!

In order to be a good manager of team, time and money as well as the client, the business analyst needs to be a savvy communicator, a good negotiator, an independent thinker, a subject matter expert (SME) and a project manager of sorts all rolled into one. Let's look at each of these separately...and be thinking about your own list or discussion points for my list...

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New Gaming Haven in Las Vegas

4/24/2018

When you think of gaming in Las Vegas, what do you think of? Maybe something involving loud noises, brightly lit machines, or a green velvet table and cards to go with, all for the thought of possibly gaining or losing your money.

But would you associate video games in the Las Vegas area as an answer for that question? Yes, video games. The things parents tell their maybe too young children to stop playing. The things teenagers can't stop doing, and the thing that has been around since the 70s.

Las Vegas has become a powerhouse in the video gaming industry. With its newest arrival downtown, the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel, gaming is soon to change it's definition in the flashy city that receives over three million tourists a month.

The 30,000 square foot arena is directly on the main level in the Luxor Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard and has been created for any gamer's personal haven. Made for an entire professional eSports competitoin, your group of friends who want to have a LAN party without the hassle of hauling parts, or even for an individual looking for a quiet place to stream. The arena has provided anyone and everyone with top gear needed for an excellent experience in the best environment for it. When you walk into the place, you'll be in what I like to call the "casual gamer room". A few of the things I myself noticed was the gigantic screen streaming live competitons or streamers from the popular website Twitch. Second thing I noticed, the incredible lineup of high tech computers and towers all in rows. Their official partner HyperX have provided each station with headphones, keyboards, and mouses. But don't fret, if you prefer your own equipment, you're more than welcomed to bring it. The third thing I noticed was the front desk with friendly employees passionate about the arena and gaming in general.

Management has filled the atmosphere with staff not only both male and female (which coming from a twenty year old female, I appreciate the diversity) but also with people who know what they're doing. All employees in the main area are responsible and there for catering to each guests needs and if it comes across - which all tech nerds know will and is inevitable - each member is capable of solving any computer issues. If you don't remember your Steam password or gamer ID, they will also provide you with one of their own safe accounts which has downloadable games for you to use. It also won't take the 9 hours to download there, since they have a gigabyte of internet speed for the venue.

A couple cool things that aren't thought of immediately when hearing about this venue is that eventually, there'll be a small area for VR available to the public and they do allow you to livestream at your station. They even have a specific booth closed off FOR streaming as they plan on having popular local streamers play there. The set up includes a stand microphone, three monitors, a TV above in case needed, and overall just looks really rad.

After examining the room, to my amazement there was even more... far more. After what seems to be just the "casual gaming room", there is what they call "the retro game cocktail bar", which is a smaller circular room beyond the entrance with all kinds of consoles ranging from the classic Xbox, an Atari, a Wii, NES, and the good ole GameCube. The room is small enough that you can jump from console to console in a leap, but large enough that everyone can play at their station contently and play that game of tennis on the Wii as Serena Williams would want.

If you look up in this circular room, you'll even see a chandelier made from old monitors and dangling underneath is the history of gaming controllers (one of my favorite decors in the entire place).

Continuing even further beyond this room, is the arena itself. With a fifty foot LED screen, theater style seating, three foot stage beneath, fun lights, and even MORE computers (more than doubled what was in the "casual gamer area"), you're sure to be locked here for at least a couple hours at this point. Its design is to hold crowds for major events and both local and professional tournaments. All computers are set up on each side of the "bleachers" in multiple rows for team communication optimization, but can also have the ability to be designed for an individual going solo in competitive gaming.

With its first major event not even a month after opening, NinjaVegas18, where 26 year old Tyler "Ninja" Blevins played Fortnite in a huge LAN style party where $50,000 was at stake for any player competing or charity of choice from Ninja's party, sold out completely. The event alone broke Twitch's viewing record with over 667,000 people watching live at peak point. Fun fact: streaming at this arena beat his past record that featured rap legend Drake... DRAKE.

Think it'll get crowded with all of these fun events and how cool it sounds? Don't fret, this arena is also multi-leveled. The stairs leading to the second floor feature more space for viewing the stage and 50 foot screen, along with a couple closed off VIP sections for private events and a caster booth.
Don't feel like gaming? Don't worry. The arena holds casual tournaments for locals with prize money, but also has community events such as local streamer parties, where fellow streamers can meet one another and talk about mutual hobbies and interests, Cosplay contests with featured themes, and viewing parties for major professional competitions like League of Legends, CS:GO, and Overwatch.

With a few tables spread out around for anyone to relax and chat, there's also drinks and eating options from the two bars located INSIDE the venue on each side and from their unique restaurant menu brought to you by Jose Andres. As an "avid gamer", Jose Andreas created the dining experience for gamers in mind. He wanted it to be efficient and practical for any gamer to enjoy a bite to eat in between games and also satisfy their stomach cravings. From Asian inspired dishes like Maki, savory rice bowls, and vegetarian options, you can also get a classic with a hint of Vegas flare like a four-cheese grilled cheese or even a chicken fried sandwich.

There's so many cool features about this venue that just can't be summed up by words. Whether you're a tourist or a local (which get 15% off gaming passes), grab your friends or go solo. Anyone who is a fan of gaming can enjoy this venue thoroughly and go back again and again. With it on the rise for even more popularity, bigger events, and better gaming experiences, Las Vegas is about to be have the most popular home for everyone to game at, and its at the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel.

About the Author:

Anna Egeland is a self-professed tech girl and enthusiastic gaming follower, writer, and co-host of a podcast. She attends professional eSports competitions and gaming conferences, allowing her to write with a first hand experience from a female perspective about the Las Vegas gaming scene. Contact her for interviews, product/event reviews and article ideas.

Gaming of a Different Kind is Taking the Vegas Strip by Storm

4/22/2018

The Esports Arena Las Vegas is now open on the Vegas Strip and you have to see it to believe it.

A 30,000 square foot world class gaming arena is sitting in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world... Las Vegas. You think casino gambling and slots are big in Vegas - and they are. You think the T-Mobile Arena is big in Vegas with all of it's concerts and Vegas Golden Knights inaugural season and Stanley Cup playoff success so far. And it is. I've seen several concerts there myself - Carrie Underwood, George Strait twice, and Garth Brooks. It's an awesome addition... and shhh... Chicago-style pizza is nearby in the form of Giordano's Pizza. And it, too, is awesome.

As big as those are and have been, this may be just as big. The Luxor - where I got to be Howard Hughes-like and live there in a strip hotel (which is not allowed unless you get a waiver that became mandated after Howard Hughes stowed himself away in the Desert Inn for 4 years in the late 1960's) partially alone and then with my family for a total of four months as we moved to Las Vegas from Iowa when a took the position of an officer in the IT group that owned the Luxor - has opened a gaming arena so large and so futuristically popular that it takes up multi-levels designed to host every form of competitive gaming, from daily play to high-stakes esports tournaments.

The arena features a competition stage, 50-foot LED video wall, telescopic seating, PC and console gaming stations, and a network TV-quality production studio. The arena has other defining elements like virtual reality platforms and retro gaming consoles. The Luxor has brought the esports entertainment experience to Vegas and it is available for both casual and professional gamers, or even non-gamers who want an insider's look at what's quickly becoming one of the world's most popular spectator sports.

Esports gaming ... it's real and it's taking over the Las Vegas Strip. Check it out.

4 Tactics Business Analysts Can Employ To Keep The Project On Track

4/20/2018

Who or what makes the big difference as to success or failure on a tech project? Is it the project manager?

Is it the business analyst? The tech lead? The customer? The budget? The timeline? Luck? The skill set of the project team? 3rd party vendors? Unknowns? Issues? Risks? Requirements? Good or bad communication?...

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