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Packages are too inflexible and don't provide competitive differentiation, but custom-built solutions are too slow [to develop] and costly. System integrators are starting to offer next-generation pre-built solutions. - Gartner Research

Professionalism as personal behavior

This a collection of professional behaviors that result in an individual who is professional in their interactions and work.

1. Time Management
   Professionals are required to possess good time management skills and be able to track their own time via the use of simple status reports and timesheets. They have to be able to take good notes when talking to a customer and collecting requirements.
   
2. Stress Management
   Every project has its own unique types and sources of stress. While we work hard to keep stress to low levels, it will come, and when it does, stress coping skills are invaluable.
3. Free to choose, Ethically bound
   This is what Stephen Covey calls being "proactive" (habit #1) or having the ability to choose your response to a stimuli. Understanding what is your choice in various situations and where it is outside of your own domain of control or jurisdiction is very important.
4. Enjoy Your Work
   Life is short and unless we enjoy our work, we will waste 33% (at least) of our time living on this planet Earth. It is that simple. Therefore, enjoying your work is key to being able to be a professional and interact well with others.
   For more, see "The Three Signs of Miserable Job" book to the left.
   
5. Basic economics, business, intellectual property knowledge
   Without basic economic and business skills, it is very difficult to work as a professional in business. One can learn the basics of economics and business via school or simply working, but they are key to understand.

Some resources you may find helpful on these subjects are:

• True Professionalism: The Courage to Care About Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career by David H. Maister
  Author's Web Site: http://www.davidmaister.com/
  Buy at Amazon
  
  
  
• Joy At Work: A Revolutionary Approach To Fun On The Job by Dennis W. Bakke
  Author's Web Site:  http://www.dennisbakke.com/pages/Home
  Also, see articles, podcast, videocast.
  
  Buy book at Amazon.
  
  
  
  
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins
  
  Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (Harper Business Essentials) by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras
  
  Author's Web Site: http://www.jimcollins.com/
  Also, see articles.
  
• Stress Management for Busy People by Carol Turkington
  
  Buy at Amazon.
  
• Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson
  Author's Web Site: http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/
  Buy at Amazon
  
  
  
• FranklinCovey Time Management
  Basic time management training, planners, and other time management helpful resources.
  
  
• Christian Stewardship Ministries - dedicated to assisting Christian individuals, families, ministries, and Christian-owned businesses find and follow God's plan for their lives and work.

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