1. From a Ph. D. to the Business World by Dr
From a Ph.D. to the Business World by Dr. Anura deSilva CEO, Planmatics, Inc CEO, Care Systems, Inc
Planmatics, Inc Rockville, MD (301)

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Planmatics, Inc

3. Your first industry job out of a Ph.D.
Most likely, nothing will fit your Ph.D. topic
Somewhat likely, if you are an OR Ph.D., nothing will fit your key interests in OR. If you are IE, its more likely you can find a job that is directly related
Learn to be (institutionally) politically correct
Learn to communicate well – its more challenging than you think
Read the strategic plans, departmental mission, etc.
Find what your department or company wants to achieve, and align with it unless you see major flaws –in which case speak up tactfully
Planmatics, Inc

4. Misconceptions I wrote a Ph.D. dissertation so I can write well
I orally defended my Ph.D. so I can present well
Colleagues will respect my Ph.D. and give me the benefit of the doubt, wont challenge me if I “BS” a bit
My innovative ideas will get me a lot of positive visibility
My years working at the Ph.D. will be relevant experience
Colleagues will always be supportive as they were in graduate school
Planmatics, Inc

5. Good clues to succeed at work
Take a technical writing course
Join a speaking club
Maintain good work integrity
Learn to work as a team, give constant praise to your teammates
Get your early reports vetted by a colleague for style
Rehearse your early presentations
Write internal technical reports, ask for colleague feedback
Get Project Management certifications
Learn about strategy, vision, mission, tactics, and what you need for day to day control
Do the boring administration work you didn’t have to do in grad school
Support your colleagues even if they don’t support you – be the “bigger” person – win them over
FOCUS ON THE OUTCOMES FROM PROJECTS, NOT JUST THE TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
Planmatics, Inc

6. Outcomes vs. Deliverables/Tasks
Who is the customer? (Internal? External?)
How can you make the customer look good
i.e. what does the customer really want?
What is politically acceptable?
Does it meet the customer organization’s vision, strategy?
Be ready to revisit the outcome as customer challenges and environment changes
Stay in touch with your customer
Remember that the customer can change and you have to change with them
Charge reasonably when change orders come
Planmatics, Inc

7. Alignment
Keep your project, group, or department aligned with the organization’s strategy
Your project or group outcomes must contribute to the organization’s desired outcomes
Consult with your boss, draw him or her into the discussion of the alignment question (he will draw his boss etc.)
When you assign sub-projects, delegate/ contract” outcomes – alignment passes down the line
You may need to oversee the tasks and demand deliverables that are consistent wit the outcomes`
Planmatics, Inc

8. Observations and Lessons
The customer may not be always right, but one has to act most of the time as if they are, while tactfully giving them the best advice
Even a good product will seldom sell itself - it pays to build relationships, talk of benefits to the customer, and have a champion in the customer community
Don’t expect the customer to understand his business from your point of view
Data is always a problem
Planmatics, Inc

9. Observations and Lessons (cont.)
Nobody reads manuals so make sure the screens are simple and clear
Best not try to explain optimization to anyone who does not have an advanced degree
However, don’t underestimate the intuition of the customer
Powerful IE/OR techniques can be implemented in the real world and do make a difference
Planmatics, Inc