The Finish Line of a Project Is the Intended Benefits
Interview with Mark Dorsett
Executive Vice President
Prosci
Interviewed by Yu Yanjuan
Journalist, Project Management Review: PMR (China)
International Correspondent, PM World Journal
Introduction to the interviewee
Mark Dorsett, Executive Vice President of Prosci, is responsible for global business strategy and results through direct business and strategic partnerships / channel sales to extend Prosci’s ability to have successful clients across geographic markets and vertical industries. He grew revenue by over 300% in the first four years with a combination of organic expansion and acquisition. His demonstrated capabilities include setting strategy for client and business success, frequent international event speaking, business development & sales, partner strategy and management & strategic alliances, portfolio management and best practices, customer success and value realization, growth through acquisition and organic approaches, client management and governance and services delivery. He has demonstrated experience and success in working with people and organizations in countries throughout the globe with extensive time spent in China, Japan, India, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe. He holds the following certificates: Prosci’s Train-the-Trainer, Prosci’s Change Management Certification and Prosci’s Change Practitioner.
At the 2019 PMI (China) Congress, Mark Dorsett made a keynote speech titled “How to Use Change Management to Achieve Project Success”, which was well-received among participants. After the presentation, we were so honored to do this interview with him.
Interview
Part 1: “I’m always involved in projects.”
Q1. As a PM professional, how do you describe yourself to readers? Would you please explain your life motto “To enjoy life to the fullest and help others to do the same”?
Mark Dorsett (Dorsett): I describe myself as someone who helps organizations achieve greater results. I have been in the professional services industry throughout my career; initially, I worked as a computer engineer, but I always had a focus on interacting directly with customers, getting to know them and what their goals and needs are. Coming back to the question, why projects? What I have found is that almost all changes are introduced in organizations in the form of projects. So, in that respect I am always involved in projects; sometimes as a sponsor and leader, sometimes in more of a PM role and sometimes as a participant.
My life’s motto is “To Enjoy life to the fullest and help others to do the same”. Perhaps at first glance that appears to be too inward focused, but I have found that as I develop myself, seek to always improve and enjoy what I do, I am then able to help others do the same. I get great satisfaction from coaching others and watching them develop and become successful and enjoy what they do.
Q2. I noticed that you majored in Chemistry at University. So why did you turn to project management as your career?
Dorsett: I chose Chemistry because I loved science and wanted to focus on a career in Medicine. However, after being accepted to Medical School, I discovered that it really wasn’t my calling. So, I took the technical skills and aptitude that I had and began working in the professional services area. Even now, I still find that obtaining a Chemistry degree really helped me develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills which are important in any discipline and any situation in life.
Part 2: “A project is successful when the intended goal is achieved.”
Q3. You’ve worked across the globe. In terms of measuring project success, have you met differences in different countries?
More…
To read entire interview, click here
Editor’s note: This interview was first published in PMR, Project Management Review magazine, China. It is republished here with the permission of PMR. The PM World Journal maintains a cooperative relationship with PMR, periodically republishing works from each other’s publications. To see the original interview with Chinese introduction, visit PMR at http://www.pmreview.com.cn/english/
How to cite this interview: Yanjuan, Y. (2020). The Finish Line of a Project Is the Intended Benefits: Interview with Mark Dorsett; Project Management Review; republished in the PM World Journal, Vol. IX, Issue I, January. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/pmwj89-Jan2020-Yanjuan-Mark-Dorsett-Interview.pdf
About the Interviewer
Yu Yanjuan
Beijing, China
Yu Yanjuan (English name: Spring), Bachelor’s Degree, graduated from the English Department of Beijing International Studies University (BISU) in China. She is now an English-language journalist and editor working for Project Management Review (PMR) Magazine and website. She has interviewed over sixty top experts in the field of project management. Before joining PMR, she once worked as a journalist and editor for other media platforms in China. She has also worked part-time as an English teacher in training centers in Beijing. Beginning in January 2020, Spring will also serve as an international correspondent for the PM World Journal.
For work contact, she can be reached via email yuyanjuan2005@163.com or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanjuanyu-76b280151/.
To see other works by Yu Yanjuan, visit her author showcase in the PM World Library at https://pmworldlibrary.net/authors/yu-yanjuan/
