Recent Events

Feedback from the PMI Maine (Nov 09)

" Great job! Let me know about cost/scope for ahalf or full day workshop next Fall.”

Steve MacIsaac, PMI Event Director

Feedback from the DAMA conference (Nov 09)

Churchill’s Adaptive Enterprise Keynote

"Brilliant, interesting and very imaginative.  Would have been good later in the day to break up drier content.”

“As a “scrum” advocate – completely aligned to the agile ideas – superbly well researched and delivered material and compelling story.  Thank you Mark.”

“Surprisingly relevant.”

Titanic Session

“Very nice analogy, great lecture.”

“Very interesting presentation with some real world takeaways.“

“Key lessons from history well drawn out.”

“Interesting parallels to today’s project management.”

“A great presentation on project problems.”

“Very valid points for today and tomorrow taken from history.”

Feedback from the IPMA Day UK (Nov 09)

“Mark was the opening key note speaker for the PMI UK IPM day in November 09, which I chaired. What a fascinating talk we had around the way the Titanic project was brought together the pitfalls and decisions that were made that led to that fateful iceberg. Bringing history to life and relating it to the issues of project management today, thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.”  Patrick Bird , Director , InterActive Performance Management Ltd

Feedback from the BCS Institute PROMS-G (Teeside, UK) (Nov 09)

 “I’m sure you’ve learnt, your [Titanic] talk was much appreciated. My personal thanks to you also.” Alan Shaw, Chairman, BCS Institute Teeside

Feedback from the BCS Institute PROMS-G (Manchester, UK) (Nov 09)

“After reading many of Mark's articles in Project Manager Today and Gantthead.com I invited Mark to speak at the BCS Chartered Institute for IT (Manchester, UK). He was and is a fantastic, energetic speaker who appears to seamlessly adapt to how to present his knowledge using the Titantic series. I have no doubts about the interest he portrays in his presentations and the engagement of his audience and would recommend anyone to listen and read Mark's works. Thanks you, keep up the good work and hopefully see you again in 2010.” December 4, 2009

Andy Jordan MBCS CITP, Senior IT Consultant, Strategic Systems Solutions

“Everyone I've spoken to about your talk enjoyed it and found the historical perspective very relevant and informative. Once again thank you for giving such an interesting talk to the Branch.” Andrew Mohan, Chairman, BCS Manchester Branch.

Feedback from the BCS Institute PROMS-G (London, UK) (Nov 09)

 “Well presented and authoritative, and developed the analogy very well with lots of emphasis on IT projects and issues.”

“Very interesting presentation. Not enough time to fully explore all aspects though!”

“Enjoyed the approach taken to discuss about the issue.”

“A very interesting way of looking at project management, really enjoyable. I would have never thought of analysing the sinking of the Titanic in the way which Mark did.”

“Most of these comments up were very positive. Many thanks for your support. We look forward to seeing you next time you are over.”

David Reynolds, Director, Project Management Specialist Group (PROMS-G)

Feedback from the PMI World Wide Congress (Oct 09)

"This was the best session I have attended. Timeframe  should be two sessions. Awesome!!!   Great presentation.”

“Great job organizing the material and historical content. The level of detail and slide content was just right for the topic at hand. The presenter was clear and engaging. I am glad I attended.”

Satisfaction ratings with session (5/5 and 4/5): 64.71% and 35.29%

Compared to the average of all the sessions (5/5 and 4/5): 28.42% and 42.09%

Feedback from the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia (Sep 09)

"Thank you again for speaking at CMIT. Your presentation [Churchill] was extremely well-received as usual.”

Jenny Leslie, Assistant Director for Corporate Information & Communications

Feedback from the PMI South Alberta Chapter (May 09)

"Thanks again, it was a great session.  We are excited to have you at our PDC [for a workshop].”

Laurel Sim, PMI President

Feedback from the PMI La Crosse Chapter (May 09)

"Mark, thanks for sharing your insightful views on project management at our chapter meeting. Your discussion of the actual Titanic construction project provided an interesting slant on assumptions. It was a valuable reminder that project managers must evaluate all elements of a project without bias if they are to achieve success."

Ann Yates, PMI Secretary

Feedback from the PMI Huron Valley Chapter Ann Arbor (May 09)

“Mark's presentation on Risk Management as it applies to the construction of the Titanic was engaging and intriguing.  The presentation was able to transport listeners back in time while providing a unique case study for a project discipline that is not always given enough sincere effort. Thank you!”

Pam Hughes, Director of Programs

“I attended the seminar you gave to our local PMI chapter (PMI-HVC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday evening. I just wanted to say that I thought your presentation was outstanding.  The lessons from the Titanic certainly remain relevant to us today.  It was invaluable to hear your analysis – assessing and quantifying the risk, and evaluating the consequences – and to reflect on how we approach risk management on our current projects.  I noticed on your last slide your offer to make your presentation available to us.  Would it be possible to get a copy of your presentation?  I would like to discuss it with my staff. Thank you.”

Frederik Heineken. PMP

Feedback from the PMI Thumb Chapter Michigan (May 09)

 “Just a quick note to thank you on behalf of our PMI Chapter for the excellent “Great Escape” project analysis. It was very interesting and the initial feedback was very positive. On a side note I suppose if you used the same PMBOK analogy on “The Great Raid” this project was almost flawless. All prisoners were rescued from this prison camp with only one casualty. Perhaps I have just given you an idea for your next book.”

Edward Madden, PMP, Vice President Marketing

ProjectWorld Toronto 2009 Track Session Speaker Evaluation Results
For the Great Escape presentation. We asked 4 questions: rate the Topic, Speaker, Content, and Overall – all out of 5 (with 5 being excellent). First the big picture:  
The total number of track sessions – 53
Topic – best - 5.00, average – 4.11, number over 4.0 – 32
Speaker –best – 5.00, average – 3.87, number over 3.87 – 25
Content – best - 4.83, the average –3.70, number over 3.70  -  28
Overall – best - 4.83, the average – 3.78, number over 3.78 – 31
and your scores: Topic: 4.5, Speaker: 4.05, Content: 4.35, Overall 4.25

Feedback from the PMI Syracuse Chapter New York (Mar 09)

"Mark is a masterful educational craftsman who weaves lessons from history into a project management curriculum that is based on historical trials and errors; bringing to life theoretical principles of project management in a presentation that is more like a picture album or a documentary.  His delivery aims at tying factual history to the principles of Project Management demonstrating the application of PMBOK processes in long used practices well before any effort to formalize them into current standards. And as he tells his stories through the eyes and ears of his data sources, real people who were part of that history, we are mesmerized.  He leaves us with questions, challenges, and a yearning to learn more."  

Feedback from the PMI Binghamton Chapter New York (Oct 08)
“Mark Kozak-Holland presented a fascinating seminar to our group.  For thousands of years, the greatest teachers have used stories to effectively illustrate important concepts.  Mark proves that history provides amazing stories with powerful lessons that provide value for today’s world.  His speaking and writing styles are entertaining, educational and effective.  He is always a crowd favorite.” Vince Socci, Professional Activities Chair, IEEE

Feedback from the PMI New York Chapter (NYC) (Oct 08)
“Mark, thank you for a wonderful presentation and answering my questions afterwards. Thanks.” Shirley Wong

“Mark, We met last night at your wonderful PMI presentation.” Liz Schwartz, PMP

Feedback from the Presentation for IT&T SIG (Oct 08)
“Today, I attended your presentation to the PMI group about project management and the Great Escape.  I like the use of examples and relationship to PMBOK knowledge areas.  I teach project management course at Denver University.  I would like to discuss using your idea and material for one of my class modules.” Raymond Kaufman, PMP 

Feedback from the PMI Central Virginia Chapter (CVC) (Sep 08)
“We have had the pleasure of hearing Mark speak at our chapter several times and each time he presented a different aspect of Project Management by placing it in a historical context. Along with his extensive research on historical topics his presentations are thought-provoking and have always been well received by our chapter membership. We look forward to having him speak again soon.” Paul Gilbo, VP Programs, PMI Central Virginia Chapter

“Mark: I just want you to know how much I appreciated your presentation to the PMI Central VA Chapter, and I'm well into the book as well – I already knew quite a bit about the history, but have thoroughly enjoyed the "PM" take on the subject -- great stuff! Thanks, and best wishes!
John K. Sheldon

“Mark, I stopped by the podium/lectern after your presentation tonight to congratulate you on an excellent presentation well-delivered. I've just visited lessons-from-history.com and saw your bio there, or at least the portion that says, "Mark is very passionate about history". It shows. I had the misfortune of studying history in high school under several individuals who were decidedly NOT passionate about it. I've since heard presentations by a number of speakers who are. Passion and the ability to tell a story should be minimum requirements for teaching history. I look forward to hearing you speak again.” Ronald Pierce

Feedback from the CMIT, (MBA program) University of Virginia (Sep 08)
“Personally I’m not that interested in history, but it was amazing to me how relevant the lessons of something that had very little to do with technology could be when applied to the work I do on a daily basis in IT. It just goes to show you how universal the importance of good project management and effective leadership really are.” Christopher J. Husser

Feedback from the PMI Minnesota Chapter, Minneapolis, MN (Sep 08)
Waiting for survey results.

Feedback from the PMO Conference Community of Practice (Jul 08)
“Mark kept the group enthralled all the way though the workshop, linking project management today back to the events of  the Titanic. A great mix of history that we think we know with project management that we should know. A great practical workshop which kept everyone involved and entertained. For our organization it was an excellent day and really added a lot of value to the overall event.” Richard Bradley, Group Programme Management Office, Business Services

 “Mark, many thanks for your efforts. Our post conference survey showed an incredible 96% very good to excellent review of your day. General feedback was very positive, so thanks again.” Colin Smith, Group PMO Leader.

Feedback from the Intel PM Community of Practice (May 08)
"Mark's presentation, at the Practitioner's Forum, Titanic Lessons for IT Projects, was very interesting and well received. Mark has researched specific details regarding the Titanic disaster and identified errors that can be used to illustrate the need to follow proper project discipline. This method makes the presentation interesting. Mark added historical context that peaked the interest of the attendee and reinforced the key project learning. It was a very enjoyable presentation." Garth J Hadley, PMP, CPIM Manager, NWR Engineering/Project Management, Intel Corp