David Cotgreave

If you like David's blogs - he is now a published author - Straight Talk on Project Management (VOLUME III)- Free eBook. Why not download your copy today. http://www.stoneseed.co.uk/ebook David Cotgreave MBA, BSc (hons), PRINCE II, is Professional Services Director at Stoneseed, with over 20 years’ experience in IT Consulting. David has worked with organisations such as BT Engage IT and KPMG, before founding Stoneseed in 2009 and has gained considerable business experience whilst working with a wide range of organisations across the UK and Europe carrying out a range of strategy, review and implementation projects. David is currently responsible for leading the Programme and Project Management services offered by Stoneseed. Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) from Stoneseed offers clients access to Project Management staff, resources and tools at a flexible and predictable cost via a fully Structured Managed Service. www.stoneseed.co.uk

Written Articles

IR35 – how to avoid Public Sector IT talent shortages

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When the Government announced changes to IR35 and off-payroll working rules for public sector workers like IT contractors, a wave of confusion rippled through online forums used by contractors and hirers alike. There are some great online resources that explain the changes, not least the one published by Stoneseed, in this post we’ll explore ways […]

why you need a cio on the board

Why you need a CIO on the board

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Only four specialist IT professionals have made it into the boardrooms of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies. Put that another way ninety-six of the UK’s biggest firms have no tech representation on their board! I think this should be a major action plan for EVERY company or organisation. OK, a technology professional recommending that technology […]

would santa be a great project manager?

Would Santa be a great Project Manager?

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<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-5229" src="https://projectaccelerator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/pulse-Would-Santa-Be-A-Great-Project-Manager-.jpg" alt="would santa be a great project manager?” width=”700″ height=”400″ />Santa delivers his project on time every year, despite its scope increasing year after year due to increased numbers of children – naughty or nice. Sure, the big man has a year to prepare to make sure he nails it and […]

What's the P in your PMO

As 27% of CIOs predict increasing the number of IT contractors on their books – how not to get handcuffed to expensive retainers

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One of the greatest arguments for hiring contractors over permanent staff is reduced headcount – when work is quiet you want fewer “bums on seats” waiting for something to do. I am therefore surprised to find many companies are voluntarily tying themselves into contracts with contractors that effectively do this – create “bums on seats” […]

How to kill off your zombie projects

This Halloween: how to kill off your zombie projects

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Do you have them? Projects that set out with the greatest of intentions but which failed to deliver and because no-one ever put them out of their misery they stumble on devouring resources with every uneven step they take. Zombie projects. Most CIOs, Project Managers and Project teams will vehemently deny that they have them. […]

plug your pm skills gap

Five compelling reasons to plug your Project Management skills gap

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In the ever changing, lightning speed IT world, effective Project Management delivers operational excellence. As every company is now, in some way, an IT operation IT Project management is something that every company needs. It is, however, something that many companies do not have. Not completely. Do you find IT Project Delivery a challenge? A […]

How To Create Project Management Luck

When IT Project Management processes alone won’t deliver, you need luck – three ways you can create your own luck!

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Have you ever toiled with a cursed IT Project? Imagine your server not arriving because there is a man standing on a gantry on the M1, shutting it for 28 hours. Imagine your kit arrives with American plugs. Imagine your lead architect getting stuck in Iceland because of a volcano erupting. Sometimes I wonder how […]

Stoneseed's Andrew Buzton accepts award from sponsor Chris Darlington of Mazars

Project Management Specalists Stoneseed Named Nottinghamshire Business of the Year

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    Project Management service providers Stoneseed win two awards, Nottinghamshire Business of the Year and Nottinghamshire Small Business of the Year award. Stoneseed Ltd, an independent provider of IT Project Management Services is delighted to be awarded the East Midlands Chamber’s Nottinghamshire Business of the Year. The Business of the Year, sponsored by Mazars, rewards […]

MOTIVATION- WHY PRAISE PAYS

A promotion is nice, a bonus is quickly squandered, in IT Project Management, it’s praise that pays

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When motivating IT Project Management team members, praise, gratitude and recognition for ‘a job well done’ can be as powerful as a raise, a bonus or a promotion. If not more so. Think about it yourself. Your monthly salary is what you’ve earned in return for your services – that’s what’s owed to you! Nice […]

PM lessons to learn from the worlds best athletes

Six lessons that IT Project Managers can learn from the world’s best athletes

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Possibly, like me, you have been hooked on an outstanding summer of sport. Regular readers of my blogs will know that I take inspiration from all manner of experiences and walks of life and I bring them back to use in my IT Project Management efforts. Inevitably, I have been immensely motivated by the athletes […]